Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1014374
VOL. 55 ISSUE 32 AUGUST 14, 2018 P37 Nations. I know it's going to be a fantastic opportunity for the team to get that overall win we have been looking for." AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend Roger DeCoster, once again, will manage the team as it seeks to secure the world championship. He cur- rently manages the Red Bull KTM Pro Motocross and AMA Supercross teams and was a part of six victorious FIM Moto- cross of Nations teams in the 1960s and 1970s. "I am very happy that every- one on this team committed without reservation to represent the United States in the Moto- cross of Nations," he said. "Eli has been on fire in the nation- als. Barcia raced to one of his very best finishes at RedBud MX just six weeks ago. Pless- inger has shown consistency and the ability to comeback from a bad start when needed. I feel we have a good and real- istic chance to win. I trust that also the RedBud MX fans can do something extra to moti- vate the team to win the trophy back. Let's go win!" The U.S. team has won the Motocross of Nations 22 times, remaining the all-time leader in FIM Motocross of Nations overall team victories and claim- ing all of those wins under the direction of DeCoster. The last time the U.S. Team won the Motocross of Na- tions was 2011. The 2017 team placed ninth. CN PASTRANA, SIPES, MAC TO RACE MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS T he Federación de Moto- ciclismo de Puerto Rico Inc. announced that "Ronnie Mac," Travis Pastrana and Ryan Sipes will represent Puerto Rico in the 2018 Mon- ster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations, which is taking place October 6-7 at RedBud in Buchanan, Michigan. The all-veteran (over 30 years old) team will be guided by another MX legend Ricky Johnson as team coach. The following is a release from Nitro Circus, which is helping to organize the team: Despite missing a slot on Team USA, Ronnie Mac, self-proclaimed motocross champion, is on a mission to show the world that he is indeed the best racer of all time and has called in his friends Travis Pastrana and Ryan Sipes to help. This all-star team that has been assembled by Ronnie Mac with help from the Motocross Federation of Puerto Rico and Nitro Circus will see Pastrana enter into the Open class, while Ryan Sipes will com- pete in the MX2 class and the heavy hitter Ronnie Mac will hold it down in the MXGP class. All riders will be racing on two-strokes. Pastrana, a Motocross of Nations champion, has not raced profes- sionally since 2006 yet he has remained well more than active on his bike since he decided to retire from motocross racing some 12 years ago. With Pastrana's family ties to Puerto Rico (his Grandfather was born in the USA territory of Puerto Rico), he agreed to make a visit to the gym and dust off his Suzuki RM250 under one condition; the team would need to raise funds to give back to Puerto Rico during their time of need. "Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico almost a year ago and still to this day thousands of people are without the basic resources they need. This is an awesome opportunity for the motocross com- munity to get behind and give back to the beautiful island of Puerto Rico," said Pastrana on his involvement with Team Puerto Rico and the 2018 Motocross of Nations. "I'm also excited to be a part of the largest motocross event ever held in the United States and to give the old guys someone to root for as Team Puerto Rico looks to qualify on two-strokes." CN Travis Pastrana will compete in the upcoming Motocross of Nations for Team Puerto Rico. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESTY NITRO CIRCUS