Photo by: Chase Yocom
Over the last few years, the biggest news attached to the Motocross of Nations for Team USA fans is the losing streak they are currently on and the elite USA riders who have chosen to turn down the invite to be on the team.
Throughout history Team USA riders have occasionally turned down the invitation to compete in the event, but Team USA not winning the event since 2011 has definitely magnified the problem more recently, especially with Ryan Dungey and Eli Tomac choosing to opt out of the race during the losing streak. Both cited either injuries or schedule conflicts as their reasoning.
Well, in 2018, the MXoN comes to RedBud in Buchanan, Michigan, and even Eli Tomac thinks it is time for the US to redeem the trophy we feel is rightfully ours. In a recent interview, CycleNews.com’s Eric Johnson asked Eli if he would represent the USA at the 2018 MXon if chosen. Eli replied,
“I would. I would like to do it. The schedule does allow for us to kind of catch our breath after our supercross and motocross season, so if I do well enough and I do get chosen, then I will say, as of now, I would represent us and go race there. Yeah, that’s my answer for that!”
That answer comes as huge relief to many Team USA MXON die hards and definitely gives me hope that we can end this streak at home next year. I, for one, am over listening to the European MXGP fans rubbing our noses in our losses despite Team USA still being the winningest nation ever. If you do not have plans to be at RedBud, you might want to start making them.
If you get a chance, head over to CycleNews.com to read the rest of a very well done interview by Eric Johnson.
