Last year the sandy Valkenswaard Eurocircuit opened the first season of World Motocross without ten time World Champion Stefan Everts, who had retired at the end of 2006. It will be a different season opener this year, with Belgian two time World Champion Steve Ramon (MX1) and flamboyant Antonio Cairoli (MX2) from Italy to defend their Titles from a tough opposition who will show no mercy right from round one.
Yamaha Motocross Team riders again picked up more silverware in the 2008 pre-season period with David Philippaerts winning both motos at a bright Castiglione Del Lago for the second round of the Italian championship while Josh Coppins swept all three races at the Valence International meeting in southern France; beating a host of world championship peers including 2007 number one Steve Ramon.