A nine-strong team of talented young riders represent Britain this weekend in the famous Coupe de l’Avenir at Baisieux in Belgium called the Coupe de l’Avenir, the Under-21 version of the Motocross of Nations.

Liam Knight, Josh Gilbert and Charlie Cole represent team GB in the open class while Olly Davidson, Louie Kessel and Charlie Hayman are in the 85s while Wal Beaney, Finlay Evans and Ben Mustoe represent us in the 65s.

It’s a strong team managed for the second year running by Dave Garland who steered the team to second place last year.

The event was all started by world champ Joel Robert in 1967 and has seem many riders that have gone on to be world champions, like Gaston Rahier, Harry and Stefan Evert and British riders like Dave Thorpe, Neil Hudson and James Dobb.

In recent years it has changed into a team event with18 nations sending team to compete in three classes, three in each 65cc, 85cc and an open class.

Last year’s UK team of Charlie Hayman, Kiean Boughen and Alfie Boy Jones in the 65s, Rossi Beard, Sam Nunn, Josh Peters in the 8’s and in the open class, Callum Green, Josh Gilbert and Liam Garland finished the event in a strong second place to an excellent home team of Belgium which included Stefan Everts’ son Liam.

Star of the UK team last year was the young Charlie Hayman who won the 65s overall and make a return to this year’s team but now in the 85s.

Running alongside the “Coupe” is the MX Belgian Maters which includes riders like Ken De Dycker, Jeffrey Dewulf and ex world champion Steve Ramon.

Words and photos by Dick Law.