It’s crunch time for the world’s hottest young motocross talents as they make for Lierneux, Belgium, this weekend to race the most prestigious event on their calendars, the 2014 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship.

The event is run across two days with free practice and qualifying taking place on Saturday, 9 August, followed by race day on Sunday, 10 August.

So far a staggering 289 riders between the ages of 10 and 17 years old have entered and will be set to tear up the brand new circuit in Lierneux. Speaking of the circuit, it’s newly-made, wide and flowing with a series of man-made jumps and rhythm type sections. The surface is hard pack, which looks as though it could become very tricky if the rain that is forecasted amounts.

There are three world titles up for grabs this weekend; Junior 65cc, Junior 85cc and Junior 125cc.

As for the riders we expect to be challenging for the titles, little Russian Nikita Kucherov, the newly crowned European EMX65 Champion will be one of the hot favorites in the Junior 65cc class, as will the two that chased him home, Swedish Noel Nilsson and fellow Russian Maxim Kraev. Another four riders worth watching this weekend are the three American’s Jeremy Ryan, Carter Biese and Jett Reynolds, as well as Australia’s 65cc phenomenon Liam Andrews.

In the 85cc category, Belgium’s very own European Champion Jago Geerts will be there, although the little Sakahr KTM rider broke his collarbone just over two weeks ago. Nevertheless, he is biting the bullet, and will be lining up. Another with a good shot at the title is Dutch Roan Van de Moosdijk – the very rider that was leading MX2 legend Jeffrey Herlings when he crashed and broke his femur a few weeks ago.

Also, Finland’s Red Bull KTM Racing rider Kim Savaste will be hoping he can get through two races unscathed, while 2012’s Junior Motocross 65cc World Champion, hailing from Australia, Caleb Grothues and Raivo Dankers, the 2013 European 65cc Champion have made the jump to the 85cc class and will also be ones to watch.

In the premier Junior 125cc class, odds will be on the recently crowned European EMX125 Champion and 2012 Junior 85cc World Champion Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Brian Hsu or last weekends EMX125 dominator Mafi Yamaha MX Team’s Alvin Östlund.

A few other hot picks will be New Zealand’s Josiah Natzke, who was third on his EMX125 debut in Czech Republic a couple of weeks ago, Claudio De Carli’s latest Italian prodigy Joakin Furbetta, Diga Racing’s young Latvian Tomass Sileika, Team MJC Yamaha’s Frenchman David Herbreteau and the American’s Alexander Frye, Challen Tennant and Jon Ames.

Alongside Andrews and Grothues in Team Australia will be Jett Lawrence (65cc), Riley Dukes (85cc), Mitchell Evans (125cc) and Hunter Lawrence (125cc).