Emig, Dowd and Lamson to Represent U.S. in Belgium
3 September 1997
R97103 September 2, 1997 For Immediate Release EMIG, DOWD & LAMSON TO REPRESENT UNITED STATES IN BELGIUM WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- Jeff Emig, John Dowd and Steve Lamson will represent the United States in the 51st edition of the prestigious Motocross des Nations. Nismes, Belgium will be the site of the international competition, which will be held Sept. 14. The defending champions from the United States, along with the host Belgium team, are considered by many to be the two teams to beat this year. Belgium boasts 250cc World Motocross Champion Stefen Everts and 500cc world champ Joel Smets. The U.S. team features Emig and Lamson, who, along with Jeremy McGrath, rode to last year's victory in Jerez, Spain. Joining Emig and Lamson on this year's team is new Motocross des Nations rider John Dowd. Dowd is a 32-year-old motocross veteran who is fresh off his best season ever, finishing runner-up in the AMA 250cc National Motocross Series this year to Emig. Emig leads the U.S. team into Belgium as a member of three winning U.S. teams. Emig is the reigning AMA Motocross and Supercross champion and is a veteran of five Motocross des Nations. Lamson will be competing in his third Motocross des Nations competition. The two-time AMA National Champion was spectacular in last year's event, winning one moto and finishing third in another riding a 125cc machine. The U.S. will field Emig on a 250cc Kawasaki, Dowd on a 250cc Yamaha and Lamson on a 125cc Honda. The U.S. has won the Motocross des Nations 14 times. Great Britain is the all-time Motocross des Nations win leader with 16 victories in the history of the competition. This year marks the first time Belgium will host the Motocross des Nations since 1983. Former Motocross World Champion, Roger Decoster, returns as the U.S. Motocross des National Team Manager. -30- Connie Fleming American Motorcyclist Association Public Relations Administrator http://www.ama-cycle.org 614-891-2425