The AMA selects an all-Yamaha squad to represent the United States at the 2015 Motocross of Nations in Ernee, France, September 26-27.
The AMA has named the three riders it hopes will bring the USA its first Motocross of Nations win in four years, and it revealed its selection at the Red Bull Unadilla National in New Berlin, New York, Saturday.
A trio of Yamaha riders (smell the marketing opportunity), including Toyota/Yamaha/JGRMX’s Justin Barcia and Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha teammates Jeremy Martin and Cooper Webb will represent the United States at the Fédération Internationale de Motocylisme Motocross of Nations in Ernee, France, September 26-27. Barcia will race in the MX1 class, while Martin will race in the MX2 class, and Webb will race in the Open class. In somewhat of a no-brainer, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and five-time FIM 500cc World Motocross Champion Roger DeCoster has once again been tabbed to manage the team. The current manager of the Red Bull/KTM AMA Motocross and Supercross teams, DeCoster also has six Motocross of Nations wins has a rider in the 1960s and ’70s. DeCoster was the team manager at the 1981 MXoN competition that brought home the first world championship for the United States, and he has subsequently guided American teams to numerous victories.
AMA Director of Supercross and Pro Racing Relations Kevin Crowther said that the 2015 team is well-equipped to reclaim the world championship.
“This year’s team includes an incredibly talented group of athletes,” Crowther said. “Although the French team will be tough competition on their home turf, our riders are more than capable of capturing the world championship under the expert coaching of Roger DeCoster. Without a doubt, Justin, Jeremy and Cooper will put forth a world-class effort to reclaim the top step of the podium for America.”
Barcia’s first represented the United States at the competition in 2012. He is the 2010 and 2011 AMA Supercross 250SX East Champion, the 2012 Monster Energy Cup Champion, and has won several international races such as the Genoa Supercross in Italy and two King of Bercy titles in Paris, France. He currently races the 450SX class in AMA Supercross and the AMA Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.
Martin’s endured a tough rookie debut at the 2014 FIM Motocross of Nations, breaking his foot during qualifying, but the 2014 AMA Lucas Oil Pro Motocross 250cc Champion is ready to put that behind him and do his part to help the team earn a win.
Webb will be the team’s rookie at this year’s event, although he comes into it with his own championship credentials. He is the defending AMA Supercross 250SX West champion and the 2012 Monster Energy Cup Amateur All-Star Champion. In his amateur days, Webb won three AMA Motocross National Championships at Loretta Lynn Ranch.
Competition in the FIM Motocross of Nations includes riders in the MX1 class, which features 450cc bikes; the MX2 class, which includes 250cc motorcycles; and the Open class.
The FIM Motocross of Nations is one of the most high-profile motorsport events in the world. It features national teams competing for a combined score to determine the overall championship-winning country. The event emerged in post-war Europe in 1947 and has run uninterrupted since that time.
The United States last won the FIM Motocross of Nations in 2011 when the event was held in Saint D’Angely, France. The United States is the all-time leader in FIM Motocross of Nations overall team victories with 22.
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