We are the champions! Team USA claimed victory in the 2022 Motocross of Nations and remains the winningest Team in history — having won the MXoN 23 times — 21 of them with Roger DeCoster managing the team!
Did you get the memo from AMA? The 2023 U.S. Motocross of Nations team includes 450 competitor Aaron Plessinger, 250 competitor R.J. Hampshire and 450 competitor Christian Craig. These three will fly the flag at the 2023 Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Motocross of Nations, which will be held Oct. 6-8 in Ernée, France.
“After putting Team USA on the top step of the podium last year, we look forward to taking on the world once again in October as the defending champions,” said AMA Director of Racing Mike Pelletier. “We have a team that is enthusiastic to represent the United States, and I look forward to seeing what we accomplish this year.”
Team captain Plessinger will be competing in MXoN for the second time and will race in the event’s MXGP Class. “It really feels great to get to be on Team USA again,” claims AP. “I’m very fortunate to have this opportunity to go race for my country. This is one race that I always look forward to and we have some big shoes to fill from what the boys did last year, so I’m ready for the challenge! I’ve got some really awesome teammates, a great team surrounding us, and we’re gonna go give it our all over in France!"
It will be Hampshire’s inaugural appearance in Motocross of Nations competition, and R.J. will race in the MX2 Class. "I’m super excited to represent my country,” Hampshire said. “I’m a proud American and will do my best to put our colors up front!"
Craig will also represent the U.S. at Motocross of Nations for the first time and will compete in the Open Class. “I’m extremely honored to be able to represent the USA this year at Motocross of Nations,” Craig said. “Aaron, R.J. and I will do everything possible to make our country proud.”
AMA Motocross Hall of Fame legend Roger DeCoster will again manage the U.S. team. DeCoster, who heads up KTM, GASGAS and Husqvarna’s racing efforts in AMA Supercross and the Pro Motocross series, raced on six victorious FIM MX des Nations teams back in the 1960s and ’70s, and is a five-time motocross World Champion. However he has been even more successful managing the U.S. MX effort over the years: The U.S. team holds the record for overall team titles, having won the MXoN 23 times — 21 of them with DeCoster managing the team!
“With our race season being the longest ever, and only having one week separating the end of the SMX and Motocross of Nations, as well as several riders who had been injured and some switching teams, it was the toughest year we have faced yet to find three riders ready to race an additional event and work together as a team,” explained DeCoster. “I was very happy when we asked Aaron, R.J. and Christian about going to France — they all jumped at the opportunity to represent the USA and challenge the French Team on home soil, and the rest of the world.”
The Man added, “This is one of France’s most spectacular tracks. After some mixed results during the long season, they are eager to prove they have more in the tank and are excited to show it to the world. I hope the U.S. supporters get behind these three riders as they take on the Motocross of Nations in a few weeks.”
The FIM Motocross of Nations, which began in post-war Europe back in 1947, is one of the most high-profile motorsports events in the world. National teams from across the globe come together to compete for a combined score that determines the championship-winning country.