Ben Watson leads TeamGB charge into Ernée MXoN
By Team TMX on 1st Oct 26
Ben Watson reckons TeamGB could have a few things going for it when the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations gets underway at Ernée in France this weekend.
Experience, for one. Familiarity with the track, for another. And then there’s the fact that Ernée’s tight, technical layout should be a little more familiar to the British trio than some of the faster, more flowing circuits they encounter on the international calendar.
Watson, who will ride the Open class for TeamGB, will be joined by Taylor Hammal in MX1 and Ben Mustoe in MX2 as the British trio take on the world’s leading motocross nations.
At 29, Watson is the veteran of the squad and this will be his fourth Nations appearance since making his TeamGB debut in 2018. He produced one of his standout performances at Mantova in 2021 when he won the MXGP class and he knows exactly what the pressure cooker of the Nations is like.
He also knows Ernée, having raced at the French circuit several times, including at the 2023 Nations.
“The Nations is obviously a massive race, but when I go there it feels a lot like another Grand Prix,” Watson explained. “I think being comfortable in that atmosphere is a benefit because it enables you to settle quickly and race without distraction.
“It’s always a pleasure to be selected by the ACU for TeamGB and I’ll go to Ernée, do my best, and try to put the lowest points possible on the board for the team and our federation.”
There’s certainly no shortage of confidence in the Watson camp following a strong domestic season. The Dirt Store Triumph Racing rider finished runner-up in this year’s MXGB MX1 championship and, while the title was ultimately the target, his pace throughout the season has given him plenty to take to France.
And then there’s the track itself.
Ernée is tight, technical and, once the racing gets going, almost guaranteed to develop plenty of ruts. In other words, it should have a distinctly British feel to it.
“Taylor is a really good hard-pack rider and so is Ben,” Watson said. “I’ve got a lot of experience there and I’ve had some good results. It’s tight and it will get rutted, so as a team I think it’s a good track for us.”
Hammal will make his Nations debut on a Kawasaki, while Mustoe gets his first taste of the event aboard a GASGAS. Watson will carry the Triumph flag in the Open class.
That lack of Nations experience for two-thirds of the team is obviously something they’ll have to overcome, particularly when lined up alongside riders who have spent years competing at the sharp end of the World Championship and international scene.
TeamGB finished 16th overall at the 2025 Nations, while its best recent run came between 2017 and 2021 when the team collected four third-place finishes.
Team Manager Mark Chamberlain isn’t putting unnecessary pressure on his riders, though.
“If we’re realistic, a top-10 finish would be good because there are so many strong teams at Ernée,” he said. “There’s no expectation on the boys other than to give their best, enjoy the weekend and be proud to represent their country and the ACU.
“The result isn’t the only measure for us this year. We want to look at the level of performance from each rider, see them work together as a team and then use what we learn to move forward.”
That philosophy also influenced this year’s selection, with greater emphasis placed on riders who had committed to international competition throughout the season.
And unlike last year, the TeamGB preparation has been home-grown, with the trio training and testing together in the UK ahead of the trip across the Channel. Foxhill and Mill Lane MX have provided the backdrop for pre-event testing and team-building before the serious stuff begins at Ernée.
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