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/1476967
Motocross des Nations Team USA Announced T he AMA finally announced the three racers who will represent the United States at the 2022 Federation Internationale de Mo- tocyclisme (FIM) Motocross des Nations, which returns to American soil at RedBud MX in Buchanan, Michigan, September 23-25. The 2022 U.S. Motocross des Nations team, which was an- nounced during opening ceremo- nies at the Budds Creek National, includes 2022 AMA Supercross 450SX Champion Eli Tomac, 2021 AMA Supercross 250SX West Champion Justin Cooper, and AMA Supercross 450SX competitor Chase Sexton. "We've put together a strong team of riders for the Motocross of Nations this year," said AMA Director of Racing Mike Pelletier, "and we believe Eli, Justin and Chase—all talented, accom- plished racers—can put the U.S. on the top step of the podium in front of the home crowd at Red- Bud. I look forward to watching them take on the world for the United States this September." Team captain Tomac will be competing on the U.S. Moto- cross des Nations team for the fourth time and will race in the event's MXGP class. "It's an honor to be racing for Team USA this year at Motocross of Nations," Tomac said. "I believe our team is very strong this year and we have a great shot at win- ning, but we will never underesti- mate our competitors and the chal- lenge of the event itself. The race pace has been at an all-time high in the [Pro Motocross] series, so I'm looking forward to putting our speed, pace and consistency to the test. With the race at RedBud, we will be more motivated than ever to have a top-step result." A strong second half of the Pro Motocross season helped Cooper earn his second selection to the team in the MX2 class, following an MXdN debut in 2019. An ongoing recovery from a broken foot result- ed in a slow start to the summer for Cooper, but he's enjoyed a return to form as of late with three overall podium finishes and a pair of moto wins prior to Budds Creek. "It means a lot to me to be picked to represent Team USA," Cooper said, "especially because it's in our country this year. Just like in 2019, I will give everything I have to represent my country right. It's an honor and I'm so excited to be picked for the MX2 class." It will be Sexton's inaugural appearance in Motocross des Nations competition, and he will race in the Open class. "I'm super-stoked to be picked for the Motocross of Nations," Sexton said. "It's been a dream of mine ever since I was little, watching Ricky Carmichael, Tra- vis Pastrana, James Stewart and the other Team USA riders. It's such a cool race—something like no other. I went to the Motocross of Nations at RedBud in 2018 and got to watch, and now I'm excited to race it. It's going to be special for me, having grown up like two hours away from Red- Bud, because it's my home race. I'm stoked about it, and the goal is to hopefully go there and win." AMA Motocross Hall of Fame IN THE WIND P28 (L-R) AMA's Mike Pelletier introduced Team USA's Chase Sexton, Eli Tomac, Justin Cooper and Team Manager Roger DeCoster at Budds Creek. PHOTO: BROWNDOG WILSON