Words: Adam Wheeler

Double world champions Team France are struggling to find a top name to replace both Dylan Ferrandis (Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha) and back-up pick Benoit Paturel (Kemea Yamaha) for the 2017 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) at Matterley Basin on 1 October.

Injuries to Ferrandis and Yamaha brandmate Paturel have caused the French federation to scour for other athletes, and their options have started to slim now that Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Marvin Musquin has kept firm with his decision to stay away from racing to fix a knee problem and recover after a long supercross and motocross campaign.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jordi Tixier – a MX2 world champion in 2014 – would be the next best choice, but Tixier has yet to be selected to represent his country and was passed over in his title-winning campaign for Ferrandis leading to some difficulties between the organisation and the rider.

An outside bet could be Maxime Desprey (Monster Energy Kawasaki Bud Racing), a former MX2 podium finisher and EMX250 championship runner-up, Nico Aubin (Suzuki), another ex-MX2 GP winner, or the direction of youth with EMX125 champion Brian Strubhart Moreau (Monster Energy Kawasaki Bud Racing) arguably one of the country’s brightest prospects.

The 2015 and 2016 MXoN winners are expected to announce the rider next to Gautier Paulin (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) and Romain Febvre (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing) prior to the grand prix of The Netherlands this weekend.