Image: Octopi Media.

Leading Pro Motocross duo Chase Sexton and Eli Tomac have confirmed they will compete in the 2022 Motocross of Nations (MXoN) if selected, as a number of 450MX regulars have also expressed their interest to ride a 250 at RedBud.

Current Lucas Oil Pro Motocross points-leader Sexton, 22, hasn’t lined up at an MXoN to date and would relish the opportunity to do so, with the US last entering the event in 2019.

“I just want to race it,” Sexton explained. “That’s all I want to do – that’s been a dream of mine. I wanted to go last year, but obviously we didn’t go. This year being at RedBud, it’s going to be – if it doesn’t rain – probably the biggest motocross race ever, I hope. If I can be a part of that, it would make my day, for sure.

“Like I said, it’s been a race that I’ve wanted to race, obviously. It’s on my mind, it’s going to come eventually. We’re just waiting to hear, but it’s going to be a cool race, I think. Hopefully, they send the best team, that’s my only thing, I want the best riders going. If I get picked, I obviously want to go there and win and bring home a win for the USA. It’s been a little bit and I think we definitely deserve it.”

Meanwhile, Tomac last represented Team USA in 2018 – also at RedBud – where he scored 4-5 results in his motos. The past three rounds of 450MX have seen Tomac dominate with consecutive overall victories, arguably strengthening the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider’s prospects of being selected.

“We know it’s going to come, right?” Tomac said. “The question is going to come if we can race it, so at this point, we’re the two best guys [himself and Sexton] and I think we should assume we’re going to get chosen for it.”

In the post-race press conference a week earlier at RedBud, he confirmed: “Yeah, we can talk about that. If I’m selected, I’ll be here.”

Both Sexton and Tomac have been the clear standouts outdoors this season, so it would seem they are the likely choice to represent in the Open and MXGP categories. Jason Anderson is the only other American to take a 450MX overall victory in the first six rounds of 2022 – German Ken Roczen being the other round winner – and revealed on Twitter that he would be up to ride a 250 for the event.

As well, on a recent PulpMX Show, TLD Red Bull GasGas’ Justin Barcia also expressed he would not turn down an opportunity to ride in MX2, raising the consideration of a 450 contender being selected to step down to a 250F for the weekend. Post-race at Southwick, Sexton too admitted he would ride a 250 if it came down to it, however, made it clear his preference was to race a 450.

This year’s MXoN takes place on 24-25 September, with the announcement of Team USA’s roster expected in the coming weeks. Pro Motocross resumes this Saturday at Spring Creek, with Sexton holding a single-point advantage ahead of Tomac in the 450MX title race. Justin Cooper is the top-placed American in the 250MX standings, currently P4.