Image: Octopi Media.

Team USA has formally been announced today ahead of the 2022 Motocross of Nations (MXoN) to be held at RedBud between 23-25 September.

Current Lucas Oil Pro Motocross 450MX red plate-holder Chase Sexton will ride the Open class, while Eli Tomac as team captain will be in MXGP and Justin Cooper in MX2.

“We’ve put together a strong team of riders for the Motocross of Nations this year,” said AMA director of racing Mike Pelletier. “We believe Eli, Justin and Chase can put the US 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.”

It will be Sexton’s inaugural appearance in Motocross of Nations competition, the Team Honda HRC rider carrying winning form into next month’s event on American soil.

“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, 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.”

Tomac added: “It’s an honor to be racing for Team USA this year at Motocross of Nations. 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.”

Cooper will be competing on the team for the second time, edging current Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing teammate Christian Craig for the 250 class position following a drawn out decision.

“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.”

Hall of fame legend Roger DeCoster will again manage Team USA, which still holds the record as all-time leader in MXoN overall team victories, having won the event 22 times — 20 of them with DeCoster as team manager. The last time the US claimed victory was in 2011.

“I am really happy with the way things are coming along for the Motocross of Nations at Red Bud,” explained 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.”