Source: Suzuki Racing.

Team Australia has qualified 17th for Sunday’s Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at Kegums in Latvia, Saturday’s action topped by defending champions Belgium.

While Belgium topped the overall order from France and Great Britain, Team Australia trio Chad Reed (MXGP), Luke Clout (MX2) and Matt Moss (Open) had a mixed Saturday afternoon, but displayed plenty of potential for the final motos.

With Israel drawing the number one gate pick via the selection ballot, Team Australia’s mid-pack selection of 16th seemed low until you consider Belgium was 23rd, New Zealand 27th, USA 28th, Germany 29th and Italy 30th!

Free practice was promising for the Australian contingent, with Reed fifth in MXGP, Clout ninth in MX2 and Moss also ninth in the Open ranks – all three categories packed with international talent.

The Qualifying Heat race action commenced with the MXGP heat, won by factory Kawasaki MXGP contender Gautier Paulin (FRA), from the fast-finishing duo of Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL) and Ryan Dungey (USA).

Australia’s Reed meanwhile had a disastrous first showing on board his TwoTwo Motorsports Kawasaki, experiencing difficulties in the opening laps before charging from outside the top 20 to eventually score 14th.

The MX2 heat was won by eight-time and current MXGP world champion Antonio Cairoli (ITA), who stunningly worked his way from outside the top 10 to take victory from Suzuki pairing Glenn Coldenhoff (NED) and Jeremy Seewer (SUI).

American champion Jeremy Martin (USA) was also forced to battle through the pack, but crashed out late in the moto from fifth, limping off the circuit in a major blow to Team USA’s hopes for victory. He’d eventually remount, credited 32nd two laps down.

Australian champion Luke Clout was inside the top 10 and battled with Martin during the early stages, riding a Kemea Yamaha YZ250F – the very team 2013 national champion Luke Styke rode for in the GP season.

But a late crash of his own spelt further anguish for the Aussies, caught in the trackside sponsorship signage and crossing the line a lowly 27th.

After the MXGP and MX2 heats Australia was on par for a B-Final entry sitting in 23rd, however an inspired performance from two-time reigning MX1 MX Nationals champion Moss essentially saved the day.

Moss overcame a reported tweaked shoulder from a practice crash, clawing his way through the pack from an opening lap incident to finish 12th in the Open qualifying heat, led by Kevin Strijbos (BEL) in a podium filled by Dean Wilson (GBR) and Tim Gajser (SLO).

American hope Eli Tomac, like Moss, put in a clutch performance after a first turn fall, climbing his way to eighth and sealing the all-star Team USA that same gate pick for Sunday.

Stay tuned for more to come on Sunday throughout our social media channels and be sure to check our Australian-specific live streaming and television guide to ensure you don’t miss a minute of the live action as it happens.

2014 FIM Motocross of Nations
Kegums, Latvia

MXGP Qualifying Heat results:
1. Gautier Pualin (FRA)
2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL)
3. Ryan Dungey USA
4. Max Nagl (GER)
5. Shaun Simpson (GBR)
6. Rui Goncalves (POR)
7. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS)
8. Matiss Karro (LAT)
9. Filip Bengtsson (SWE)
10. Davide Guarneri (ITA)
14. Chad Reed (AUS)

MX2 Qualifying Heat results:
1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA)
2. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED)
3. Jeremy Seewer (SUI)
4. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA)
5. Tommy Searle (GBR)
6. Harri Kullas (EST)
7. Alex Martin (PUR)
8. Thomas Kjer Olson (DEN)
9. Martin Barr (IRE)
10. Kaven Benoit (CAN)
27. Luke Clout (AUS)

Open Qualifying Heat Results:
1. Kevin Strijbos (BEL)
2. Dean Wilson (GBR)
3. Tim Gajser (SLO)
4. Tanel Leok (EST)
5. Steven Frossard (FRA)
6. Dennis Ullrich (GER)
7. Marc de Reuver (NED)
8. Eli Tomac (USA)
9. David Philippaerts (ITA)
10. Arnaud Tonus (SUI)
12. Matt Moss (AUS)

Overall Nations qualifying results:
1. Belgium 3
2. France 5
3. Great Britain 7
4. The Netherlands 9
5. Italy 10
6. Estonia 10
7. Germany 10
8. USA 11
9. Switzerland 13
10. Russia 18
11. Slovenia 19
12. Latvia 21
13. Sweden 22
14. Canada 23
15. Denmark 24
16. Portugal 25
17. Australia 26
18. Puerto Rico 26
19. Finland 29
20. TBA (winner of Sunday’s B-Final)

Click here for detailed results