Source: Supplied.

It was a ‘crazy experience’ for French rider Christophe Charlier as he made his return to professional motocross competition as a last-minute addition to the winning French 2017 Motocross of Nations (MXoN) squad as its MX2 entry.

Stepping away from MXGP and moving to the EnduroGP series this year, Charlier focused purely on enduro this season and played a vital role in Team France’s win at this year’s International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Brive, France.

After also representing France at the MXoN event in 2013, the Husqvarna factory rider made his second and unexpected appearance at the Matterley Basin event in what was a spectacular turn of events for the well-rounded racer.

“I’m over the moon with this victory,” said Charlier. “Especially for me focusing all my efforts this season into the EnduroGP World Championship, it’s been a crazy experience coming back to the pinnacle of motocross competition. The nations is always a huge event and this season it seemed that it was even more spectacular.”

Called to action with just minimal time to prepare for the event due to both Dylan Ferrandis and Benoit Paturel suffering injuries, the former EMX250 champion rode to a 14-6 moto scorecard to complete the impressive dual victory alongside MXoN teammates Romain Febvre and Gautier Paulin.

“I spent the last couple of weeks training on the FC 250 machine and it all worked out pretty well here in the UK,” he explained. “I got 14th in the first moto and then managed to improve to sixth in moto two. It’s been a crazy journey and it feels amazing to have now won the ISDE and the nations during the same season.”

Charlier, Febvre and Paulin claimed the 2017 MXoN overall victory ahead of Netherlands in second position and home favourites Great Britain rounding out the podium in third place.