Against All Odds: Team USA Secures Second at the Motocross of Nations

Team USA placed second at the 77th Motocross of Nations, but not without its challenges. Two out of the three riders selected ahead of the event dealt with injuries that kept them from competing just weeks before and USA were close to having no team at all heading to the event. In the dying hours, a couple multi-time champions raised their hands to join the American squad and ultimately led the nation to a second-place result. But, the story is, how did the team get to this position?

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton, the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross Champion, was the first initial pick on the team for USA’s MXGP class rider when the AMA, Roger DeCoster, and Team USA were deciding who to take to the United Kingdom.

His teammate, Aaron “Cowboy” Plessinger (Open), was the next rider on the team after the deciding factor came from the recently injured Eli Tomac who had just returned to racing, who opted out of the event. Team USA was waiting to see how Tomac would do in his return to the circuit before the decision was made. Tomac did not race the Nationals until his return for the final two rounds, suffering a thumb injury from Supercross. Respectively, ET3 gave the nod to Plessinger to take that spot after stating he wasn’t fully prepared and that Plessinger had been racing all summer.

Next was figuring out the MX2 division and a rider to fill that spot. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan was the first initial pick for the USA in the MX2 division. After some time, he declined the offer because hardware needed to be removed from his wrist after the SuperMotocross World Championship in Las Vegas ahead of the 2025 season.

"Wanted to get the record straight I have hardware in my wrist that needs to be taken out after Smx and will have to heal, so the team has made the decision to not let me attend the mxon to make sure I can make pre season training this year on time to give me the best chance at a sx title, so don’t get it confused I’m a racer and wanted to race, and if the opportunity comes up in the future I’d be stoked to do it, thanks to everyone that supports me." - Deegan stated on an Instagram post.

Team Honda HRC Progressive’s Chance Hymas was the next-best pick after his impressive season during the Pro Motocross Championship, even taking his career-first overall at RedBud. He gladly accepted and had previously asked Team USA members months before, “Did you pick the team yet?” Finally as one of the last nations to complete their roster, the team was set for the United Kingdom ahead of the SuperMotocross World Championship Playoff rounds, at least they thought.

Then, unfortunately one week later, Hymas was already dealing with an ACL injury throughout the year, re-aggravated it during the SMX Playoff 1 in Charlotte. He planned to sit out the remainder of the Playoffs and SMX World Championship to prepare for the MXoN. Still, after further consultation, the team and Hymas decided it was prudent to have the injury repaired as soon as possible for the 2025 season.

Plessinger, at the first SMX Playoff round, suffered a shoulder injury from a practice crash. “Charlotte was a wild one to say the least, was a little bummed after Friday going down and slamming my shoulder into the ground,” he explained on an Instagram post. It looked as if Team USA was going to pieces at this point.

With Deegan and Hymas out for Team USA, who would raise their hand next? The following day, two-time Monster Energy Supercross Champion Cooper Webb rode the 250 machine for ONE day and said he was in for Team USA’s MX2 class. He was the rider who rose to the occasion when needed, even after not riding or racing a 250 in eight years!

“I’m so excited to be headed to MXON. Obviously, a fire drill situation and decision but I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity. [I] was asked to ride a 250 so I spun some laps on Haiden Deegan’s bike and remembered how good the YZ250F is. I haven’t raced it since 2016 but felt right at home with the few laps I did. I will be all in on 250 prep after Vegas SMX and excited for the opportunity to represent my country.” - Webb’s press release statement.

“I’m absolutely gutted. I have waited for the opportunity to represent my country at MXoN since I was a kid. I was proud and excited to wear the Red, White and Blue. I was doing everything in my power to be ready for MXoN, but I’ve been battling issues with my knee this entire season. The team and myself decided the stakes are too high to take chances at the MXoN, and I need to get my knee fixed for the future. My sole focus now is getting back to top form and being prepared to compete for championships in 2025. I want to say thank you to Cooper for stepping up and taking my place. I’ll be rooting for him and Team USA from back home. THANK YOU!” - Hymas’ press release statement.

Plessinger stated after finishing P7 at the SMX Playoff 2 in Texas, “Still not feeling 100%, recovering from hitting the deck last week but no excuses.” Plessinger seemed to just be banged up from the crash nothing majorly wrong with the shoulder.

It looked as if Team USA was now safe and can look forward to the MXoN. Just two weeks before, at the final round of the SMX World Championship one lap into the first 450SMX moto Sexton was landed on, unintentionally and just a plain racing incident, by Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GasGas’ Justin Barcia and suffered a bone contusion in his right hand that took him out from competing at the event. Plessinger was much better in Vegas, finishing 4th on the night, so he looked to have the shoulder in a good place.

Now, it really was crunch time and put Team USA in a serious predicament. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac was the next rider in line. During the post-race press conference from Las Vegas, Eli was asked about filling the spot for Sexton. "Well, I mean it's going to be a discussion that's going to be had you know over the next couple of days. But right now it's... that's an unknown."

The following days were unknown and really up to Eli. As a champion does and after further talks, Tomac said yes that following Monday and was in for the team’s MXGP class. Even texting Cooper saying, “I’m in, let's go kick some a$$!”

“Due to the unfortunate racing incident Chase was involved in at the final round of SMX, I was the next one in line to take his place for Team USA. Aaron, Cooper and I are ready to give it our best effort at Matterley Basin. This is very short notice for my team, but we are going to make it happen!” - Tomac’s press release statement.

Mike Pelletier from the AMA and Team USA said this on the PulpMx of Nations Live Show about the situation at hand right then and there at that moment Eli accepted, “So even as early as late on Monday last week when Eli said ‘Yes, I’m in’ after the Chase injury at SMX..a little stress going on. It was crazy.

"I hate to admit that (Team USA almost not going), but it was close at that point only because it starts talking about shipping bikes, riders, and travel. Logistically it’s tough the week before to try to figure that out. Christina Denny (AMA) who helps us, spent like three days at the Atlanta airport just trying to ship motorcycles. Hurricane came up the coast and it was almost everything that could happen, it was going to happen."

Now with Cooper (Webb) already going, we were already sending Star (Yamaha Star Racing) motorcycles. We were already prepped. Let’s throw a 450 in there too. It makes sense. We got quotes of like $50,000 (ending up paying $25,000) and we’re just like, we got to get these motorcycles here.”

Finally, with two weeks' notice and potentially no attendance at all, Team USA is in the United Kingdom and ready to battle. After the RAM Qualifying races, the team sat 9th ahead of Sunday. Tomac P7, Webb P7, and Plessinger P6 in their respective classes.

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Sunday is where the magic happened. Eli Tomac put the team on his back as captain with two amazing starts for 2-3 moto scores and 2nd overall in the MXGP classification. Webb, after not racing a 250F in eight years and tough enough to drop down to the class, finished 17-9 moto scores for an impressive 5th overall with the best MX2 riders from around the world. Plessinger would be consistent in the Open division for 7-8 moto scores and 4th overall. Team USA would finish 2nd in the 77th Motocross of Nations in the UK!

Despite all the hardships Team USA faced for this year’s MXoN, it is evident that the country's patriotism and desire to be at this event are truly there, with riders wanting to step up at the last moment to represent the USA.

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Plessinger: “ We’re here because we wanted to be. We’re here for our team, family and friends, And We’re here for you! All of you that call America home! Today we go to battle as one, Team USA.“

Webb: “ Damn proud of Eli, AP and our entire team for rallying together at the last minute. We knew it was going to be a challenge, but not fielding a team should never be an option. I had four days on the 250 and felt like I got better every time out. There’s truly no other race in the world like Motocross of Nations! Massive thanks to everyone for the support.”

Eli Tomac: “ It was 100% worth it to come here. I mean we gave a strong effort of course, we wanted the win but we did all what we could and I'm proud of both these guys who rode with me. We put in the fight just a little bit short, but overall okay,”