Image: Supplied.

Team Australia has qualified fifth at RedBud in the United States ahead of the 72nd edition of the 2018 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations (MXoN).

Qualifying in the top spot was Netherlands, which scored four points with Jeffrey Herlings, Calvin Vlaanderen and Glenn Coldenhoff.

Going to the line second tomorrow will be Italy’s Antonio Cairoli, Michele Cervellin and Alessandro Lupino, while France’s Gautier Paulin, Dylan Ferrandis and Jordi Tixier qualified third in what was a drama-packed Saturday.

Victory in the MXGP race belonged to Italian hero Cairoli, topping German Ken Roczen and Herlings, who charged forward from the rear of the pack following an early mishap. Australia’s Kirk Gibbs took ninth despite a difficult start, as American Eli Tomac encountered bike troubles and was a non-finisher in the final laps.

MX2 saw Frenchman Ferrandis storm to the win after fending off a spirited performance from Australian Hunter Lawrence, who was just 0.7s from victory on Saturday. Third place went to Jacobi, with Cervellin fourth and Spanish world champion Jorge Prado fifth. American Aaron Plessinger took P11 after crashing out of the lead mid-race.

In the Open category, Coldenhoff starred for the Netherlands team to take the win, a few seconds clear of Team USA’s Justin Barcia – who ensured the home team won’t have to enter the B Final – and Belgian Jeremy Van Horebeek. Australia’s Mitch Evans rebounded from a heavy start crash to cross the line in an inspired 15th position.

Detailed results