Shaun Simpson has opened up about his emotional ride to his first MX of Nations podium alongside Adam Sterry and Nathan Watson at Sunday’s washout at Assen. After splitting with his RFX team, the Scot worked on the engine of a stock KTM 450 SXF together with father Willie and friend John Volleberg who has tuned motors for him in previous years. This set-up is likely to form the basis of his new SS24 race team in 2020, so to put the bike on the Nations podium is a big shot in the arm.

“I was so emotional at the finish,” Shaun said. “The weather had made it a difficult day for all the riders but I knew a good start and keeping mistakes to a minimum would be the key. I nursed the bike through the second moto once I was clear in third, and that result was a big confidence boost after a difficult season with a new team and another hand injury. Full credit to Adam for his ride in that race and then Nathan produced the goods in the last one with me and we were able to get on the box. It’s hard to describe how ecstatic I was: seeing my wife and baby and all my family and friends there made me crack-up a bit. It’s been seven times trying to get a result at this race, all the way back to my first appearance in 2008, and to do it at the end of this season especially is a big cherry.

“We’ve now got some work to do. We’ve been busy over the last weeks trying to click pieces of the new team together and working on the puzzle to make it happen. We won’t slow down now. I think I showed with something-close-to the right equipment I have the speed and knowledge to make a good showing of myself and anybody associated with me at the highest level. It doesn’t get much bigger than the Nations in our sport. The way I feel right now I cannot wait to compete again around the world in 2020.”