On Sept. 26-27, three of America’s top motocross riders will represent the United States at the Fédération Internationale de Motocylisme Motocross of Nations in Ernee, France.
Toyota/Yamaha/JGRMX’s Justin Barcia will race in the MX1 class, Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin will race in the MX2 class and Martin’s teammate Cooper Webb will race in the Open class.
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend Roger DeCoster will once again manage the team as it strives to secure the world championship. He currently manages the Red Bull/KTM AMA Motocross and Supercross teams and was himself a competitor in six victorious FIM Motocross of Nations teams in the 1960s and ’70s. The five-time 500cc World Motocross Champion was the team manager at the 1981 competition that brought home the first world championship for the United States and 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 time representing the United States at the competition was 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 had a tough rookie experience at the FIM Motocross of Nations last year, breaking his foot in the qualifying race. He’s ready to put that bad luck behind him and claim a win for the team. Martin is the 2014 AMA Lucas Oil Pro Motocross 250 class champion and currently leads the points again this season. In addition, he races the 250SX class in AMA Supercross.
Webb will be a rookie at this year’s event. He is the defending AMA Supercross 250SX West champion and the 2012 Monster Energy Cup Amateur All-Star Champion. In his amateur days, he 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.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.
