In the years immediately after World War II, when battlefield action faded and free time needed filling back home, motorcycles entered a golden age. Bikes were built with a rugged distinction, especially in England, a reminder of the front lines.
Sport racing, already run for years on dirt tracks around the world, soon organized international competitions. The Motocross des Nations — the Olympics of motocross — was born in 1947 and, 63 years later, the event comes to the United States for just a third stop. This time, in Lakewood.
The 64th Motocross of Nations — running Saturday and Sunday at Thunder Valley Motocross Park — will pit teams of three from 30 countries, racing in three divisions. The higher the finish, the lower the score. Fewest points win.
To the winner goes the Chamberlain Cup, claimed by the U.S. for five consecutive years. Americans, winners of 20 titles, including 13 in a row in the 1980s and early 1990s, have replaced Great Britain as the world’s best dirt-bike racers. The British dominated before 1960, winning 10 of the first 14 races.
The U.S. team features two rookies: Trey Canard and Andrew Short. Canard, of Oklahoma, won his first AMA national championship earlier this month, in the 250cc class. Short, a Colorado native racing out of Texas, earned a second- place finish at nationals at 450cc.
But if the Americans are to continue their streak, it will be behind young veteran Ryan Dungey, who helped the U.S. to the Nations title in 2009 at Franciacorta, Italy. He’s a four-time AMA champ since turning pro in 2006.
Challenge should come from Italy, with defending world champion Antonio Cairoli; Belgium, led by Clement Desalle; and France (Xavier Boog).
But the U.S., which also won in 2007 behind Ricky Carmichael at Maryland and in 1987 with Jeff Ward in New York, has never lost at home.
Carmichael and Ward are legends in motocross. Future legends may be decided this weekend in Lakewood.
Motocross of Nations
The Olympics of dirtbike racing at Thunder Valley Motocross Park
* Where: 701 S. Rooney Road, Lakewood
* Saturday: 10 a.m., practice runs, 2:30 p.m. qualifying
* Sunday: 1 p.m., finals
AROUND TOWN
Rockin’ around the Rockies.
That buzz you hear around town today won’t be the whisper of orange and blue, but the chatter of purple and black. The Rockies, despite a setback this week in Arizona, will play their most important series of the season this weekend against San Francisco.
And the Giants are prepped. With the NL West race up for grabs, San Francisco will throw its top line of Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito and Matt Cain. The Rockies counter with Jhoulys Chacin, Jason Hammel and Jorge De La Rosa. Advantage: Giants.
But with the season on the line, mood may overcome matchup. The Rockies, in their last homestand, won eight of 10 games. Advantage: Rockies.
First pitch at Coors Field: 6:10 p.m. tonight and Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday.
STAY ON THE COUCH
September is Broncos’ month.
With Peyton Manning peddling his wares in Denver on Sunday, the Broncos will get the red-carpet treatment. CBS’s A-team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will be in town to call the action on KCNC-4 at 2 p.m.
They couldn’t have picked a more intriguing game. A 5 1/2-point favorite, the Colts on paper should run away with the game. But those who know better know that home underdogs are tough to pick against in the NFL, especially in Denver — where the hostility seems ramped up recently — and especially this weekend.
After the death of Broncos receiver Kenny McKinley this week, can the Broncos have enough focus to pull the upset?
The Broncos will be looking to exact some revenge for the many recent defeats to Indy. The Colts have won the past four games vs. Denver and are 7-2 in the past nine. But the Broncos are 6-2 all-time against the Colts in Denver. And the Broncos are 14-1 in September home games since 2002. That’s a tough mark to bet against.
GET OFF THE COUCH
Hot to trot in Pagosa.
The Mountain Chile Cha Cha in Pagosa Springs on Saturday will draw eaters and runners from around the region for the annual green chile cookoff and trail-run races. An odd combo, trail running and overeating. Or is it? Maybe they match perfectly.
The five-hour drive from Denver down U.S. 285 will net a full day of fun. For the races, find one of three courses, at 14, 7 and 5 miles, each starting downtown and running nearly entirely off-road. Click on for race info and for chile cookoff details.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
Horses get their day.
Before football gets going Sunday, NBC will air live coverage of the 2010 World Equestrian Games from Lexington, Ky. And Colorado’s own Aaron Ralston will be in the broadcast booth for expert analysis.
Ralston, of Silt, was a rider for Team USA at the 2006 World Games when it won gold in Aachen, Germany.
Coverage of team reining runs from 10-11:30 a.m. on KUSA-9, and again Oct. 3 for individual competition and Oct. 10 with a recap.
