Preview - 2006 Motocross of Nations.

Fans from around the world will descend on Matterley Basin, near Winchester in Great Britain, this weekend for the 60th Motocross of Nations - the end-of-season team event which will hopefully provide a fitting finale for two record-breaking careers.

Motocross legends Stefan Everts and Ricky Carmichael will both retire from full time competition at the end of this season - Belgian Everts with ten world championships to his credit and American Carmichael, who will continue to race only in select events, with 15 AMA titles.

With Everts spending his record-breaking career in Europe and the equally successful Carmichael in America, the pair have rarely clashed together on track - Carmichael having dominated in their previous Motocross of Nations appearances - but fans are hoping for one final showdown between the two greatest riders of their generation this weekend.

But while Everts will arrive in England at the top of his game - fresh from winning his 101st and final grand prix - Team USA captain Carmichael may not be able to compete after suffering a shoulder injury in the AMA season finale at Glen Helen on September 10.

Suzuki rider Carmichael, who confidently guided USA to victory last year in Ernee, France, is facing a race against time to recover from the injury - with a final decision only likely to be made at the last possible moment. Whether he rides or not, RC will surely be present to cheer his team-mates on, with his RM-Z450 being given to AMA team-mate Ivan Tedesco, part of the victorious 2005 team, should Ricky be unable to compete.

Losing Carmichael would be a massive blow to Team USA and the Motocross of Nations fans alike, but America can still count on the services of Carmichael's AMA title rival and reigning World Supercross champion James Stewart, plus newly crowned AMA Lites Motocross champion Ryan Villopoto.

Second to the USA last year, Team France will arrive at Sunday's starting gate with two 2006 Motocross world champions in their line-up. 18-year-old Christophe Pourcel, who wrapped up his first MX2 title last Sunday in Ern?e, and Yves Demaria, winner of his second MX3 title, will be two key elements in Team France's chase for success. They will be joined by Christophe's elder brother Sebastien, who will have the opportunity to ride the 450cc Kawasaki he will race full time in 2007.

Completing the 2005 podium were Belgium, which will field Suzuki team-mates Kevin Strijbos and Steve Ramon - second and third behind Everts in the MX1 World Championship - beside Stefan this year. Everts and Ramon will race their usual 450cc machines, while Strijbos will race on the smaller 250cc machine. Belgium is considered the second pre-event favourite, behind America.

But one nation itching to cause an upset is New Zealand. The Kiwis turned heads with fourth overall last season and will again call upon the services of 2005 MX1 runner-up Josh Coppins and former MX2 World Champion Ben Townley. Coppins is the only rider other than Everts to win a grand prix this season, while Townley has shown impressive pace in his brief AMA appearances this year. They will be joined by Cody Cooper, a leading rider in the New Zealand National Championships.

Britain may currently be equal with America in terms of all-time Motocross of Nations wins, each holding a record 16, but it will take more than the expected massive dose of home support to halt the likes of Belgium and America this weekend. That could yet work in Team GB's favour and the relatively young line-up of MX2 World Championship riders Billy Mackenzie, Carl Nunn and Tommy Searle could excel in their 'underdog' role.

Cousins Tanel and Aigar Leok will wear Estonian uniforms alongside Juss Laansoo, while Holland will be represented by 2007 factory Yamaha MX1 rider Marc de Reuver, George Strik and Bas Verhoeven.

Portugal will send Paulo Goncalves, Henrique Venda and Rui Goncalves, who finished a bets yet seventh in the 2006 MX2 World Championship standings, while South African's hopes have been hit by injuries for Grant Langston and Gareth Swanepoel. They will be replaced by Neville Bradshaw and Wyatt Avis, alongside MX2 star Tyla Rattray.

The Italian team of 2005 MX2 World Champion Antonio Cairoli, KTM's David Philippaerts and MX3 front runner Christian Beggi will start with podium ambitions while a total of 31 teams are scheduled to attend.

The Matterley Basin circuit (pictured) had a mixed reception from the riders, in terms of racing possibilities, when it held its first ever grand prix on June 18th, but changes have been planned to help improve the show this weekend and the circuit's facilities are already at a high standard.

The 60th Motocross of Nations will, as is traditional, be decided over three races - each featuring two different classes - after which all riders will have raced each other.

The action begins on Saturday at 10 am with the MX1 free practice session.