Image: Octopi Media.

Winning the 2022 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations (MXoN) on debut with Team USA was ‘a dream come true’ for Chase Sexton, lifting the Chamberlain Trophy in his maiden appearance and representing at RedBud on his birthday weekend.

Sexton, now 23, relished the opportunity to compete for the United States on home soil and entered the event in fine form following a breakout Lucas Oil Pro Motocross campaign where he and eventual champion Eli Tomac dominated 450MX.

The Honda rider finished second in Saturday’s Open qualifying heat after a late fall from the lead and notched consistent 2-3 finishes (2-2 in Open) to land second overall in class for Sunday’s finals – a vital contribution to Team USA’s victory alongside Tomac in MXGP and MX2 winner Justin Cooper.

“This whole weekend has been a dream come true,” Sexton reflected. “Being my birthday, it all worked out. First one, first win, you can’t take that for granted as Eli [Tomac] said – they don’t come very often and I’m just so happy.

“That last race, going off the start was key to get out there, and it was a nerve-racking race. I just wanted to get it to the finish, so I’m stoked on today, stoked on the crowd and I can’t really explain… I’m just lost for words right now.”

The completion of MXoN draws Sexton’s 2022 season to a close, which was a remarkable year in winning his first Monster Energy Supercross 450SX main event before taking the outdoor crown down to the wire.