The United States will be represented by three of its fastest motocross racers at the 2022 Motocross of Nations, which returns to American soil at RedBud MX in Buchanan, Mich., on Sept. 23-25.
Justin Cooper, Chase Sexton, and Eli Tomac will head the American effort to reclaim the Chamberlain Trophy.
The annual spectacle, affectionately referred to as the “Olympics of Motocross,” will commence on home soil for the Americans on September 24-25 from Michigan’s legendary RedBud MX, a cornerstone venue of American motocross. It will signify the United States’ first participation at the MXoN since the 2019 event.
Tomac and Sexton have been this season’s primary championship combatants in the 450 Class and will headline the U.S. squad in the MXGP and MX Open classes, respectively. It will be Tomac’s fourth appearance representing the host nation and he’ll look to leverage his experience from 2013, 2014, and 2018 as the proverbial team captain. As one of the most decorated competitors in the history of the sport, Tomac will look to achieve the one accomplishment still missing from his rèsumè, a win at the Motocross of Nations. He’ll bring added momentum from a victory at the RedBud National in July. Tomac will wear #101.
“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 winning, but we will never underestimate our competitors and the challenge 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.”
It is the first team selection for Chase Sexton, who is in the midst of a breakout season in the premier division as the current point leader with three victories and overall podium finishes in all nine rounds thus far. His unparalleled consistency this summer could be a defining factor in the team’s quest for victory. He earned his best-ever RedBud result in July with a runner-up finish at the National. Sexton will wear #103.
“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, Travis 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 RedBud, because it’s my home race. I’m stoked about it, and the goal is to hopefully go there and win.
A strong second half of the Pro Motocross season has helped Justin Cooper earn his second selection to the team in the MX2 class, following an MXoN debut in 2019 at the most recent U.S. appearance. An ongoing recovery from a broken foot resulted 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 in the last four rounds and a pair of moto wins. Cooper will wear #102.
“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.”
The United States anticipated return to the MXoN will see the most successful country in the history of the event seek a record 23rd victory. They will once again be overseen by “The Man” Roger DeCoster, who will continue his tenure as USA Team Manager.
“I am really happy with the way things are coming along for the Motocross of Nations at Red Bud,” said Roger DeCoster. “Clearly there is a different feel than recent past years. We now have the best three riders, and their teams are excited to go. Nine events have gone by since we won in France and the pressure will be enormous, but I feel that the way they have been racing, Eli, Chase and Justin will be up to the task.”
“We’ve put together a strong team of riders for the Motocross of Nations this year,” added AMA Director of Racing Mike Pelletier, “and we believe Eli, Justin and Chase — all talented, accomplished racers — can put the U.S. on the top step of the podium in front of the home crowd at RedBud. I look forward to watching them take on the world for the United States this September.”
After a dominant stretch that saw the USA win the Chamberlain Trophy for seven consecutive years from 2005 to 2011, it has endured through a winless streak that has spanned eight years. Coincidentally, the numbers the U.S. riders will carry for the 2022 MXoN are the same that the lineup of Ricky Carmichael, Ivan Tedesco, and Kevin Windham wore during the 2005 event, when the United States last started its dominant streak of victories.
