2019 Motocross Of Nations | Team USA’s Potential Riders

2019 MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS | COMPLETE COVERAGE

As is tradition, the three-rider roster for Team USA at the 2019 Motocross of Nations is slated to be announced this weekend at the 2019 Unadilla Motocross. American interest of the international event has waned stateside in recent months, due to the lack of wins after a long streak of success and reluctance by riders to continue working after a 29-race season, but many still see the MXON as the crown jewel of the calendar and a US team will be on the track in September.

When Assen was announced as the venue for the 2019 event, there was an audible groan from the American side of the sport. A famed road-racing circuit that’s long been on the MotoGP calendar, event promoters Youthstream truck in hundreds of loads of sand, scatter it over the asphalt of the front straightaway and shape it into a challenging course that changes on every lap. There is no track on the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship schedule that comes close to the figurative bottomless sandpit and it’s widely agreed any US-based rider will be on the back foot compared to the Europeans that regularly ride similar conditions. Look at Team USA’s performance at Lommel in 2012 for further proof.

So, who would voluntarily take part in something of this sort? Four racers that have a chip on their shoulder from past experiences at the MXON, plus an up and comer that has proven his worth and doesn’t care about the public’s perception of him. Over the last few weeks, we’ve spoken with riders that are potential picks, plus those close to them, and have a narrowed it down to four potential names that could be brought on stage this weekend before the first motos in New York.

You’ll notice Adam Cianciarulo and Eli Tomac are missing from our rundown. Despite being the current leaders in their respective classes of the pro motocross championship, it’s been publicly expressed that the event is not a priority to Kawasaki. That’s fair, considering the busy offseason the team faces with Cianciarulo’s graduation to the 450 class and Tomac’s continued pursuit of titles in 2020.

ZACH OSBORNE

Osborne has always viewed the MXON as one of the most important races one can do and he’s lined up a few times, first as a part of Team Puerto Rico during the middle of his exodos to Europe and then as Team USA’s MX2 rider following a career-defining season in 2017. When Thomas Covington tore his ACL and Cole Seely’s suspension snapped under the weight of the mud at Matterley Basin, Osborne pushed on as if there were no problems and diced with Hunter Lawrence for top honors in the small-bore class. Simply put, no one wants to hold the Chamberlain Trophy more than Osborne and he will be the undisputed team captain for 2019, regardless of the bike he rides.

Why did we put that last line in? Osborne has told those in charge that he’s willing to drop back down to the 250 if needed. Many European teams have put 450 riders on the 250 in the past, but it’s a strategy that the American management hasn’t done in the modern era. Osborne did a test on the 250 earlier in the year to help out the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing and to prove that he could ride it again. But it sounds like that won’t be necessary, due in part to the inclusion of another rider on the list.

As for local knowledge, Osborne has plenty of it. He knows all of the local riding spots from his GP experience, how the tracks develop, the competition, and the culture. As for sand skills, search out Osborne’s part from a past MOTO: The Movie. Yeah, dude knows how to hold the throttle open on that terrain.

JASON ANDERSON

We cannot recall another race that took emotions from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows like Moto Two at the 2016 Motocross of Nations did. Going to the line there were concerns from the American camp about a foot injury that Anderson sustained in Saturday’s qualifying action, but when the gate dropped the American took over and led the field for the full duration of the race for a dominant win. His celebration was cut short when a lapped rider, unaware that the winner was coasting atop the jump, launched and landed directly on Anderson’s head, an impact that knocked him unconscious. The finish line turned into a frenzy as officials, team members, and media argued in different languages while Anderson was loaded onto a backboard and ushered away by medics. Despite being cleared with no injury, Anderson was unable to line up for the last moto and Cooper Webb was the only American on the track (more on that below). Since then, Anderson has expressed interest at getting redemption at the event but had injuries in 2017 and 2018 that prevented him from racing the Nationals and thus, being picked.

Anderson is currently fifth in the 450 championship standings, behind ineligible Eli Tomac and Cooper Webb, a rider that is included in our list. But more important to all of that is Anderson’s desire to race all around the world and he made it clear to the committee that he’ll gladly go to Europe weeks in advance to get familiar with the sand. That interest to do international events for the hell of it means a lot, especially when there’s not a promoter paying big bucks for his appearance.

Anderson’s loose riding style bodes well with sand and he spends plenty of time in it at the Baker’s Factory, so it won’t be a big deal for him to ride in it. Anderson’s fitness is good and it’ll certainly improve with more time.

COOPER WEBB

Anderson’s incident at Maggiora in 2016 had a big impact on teammate Cooper Webb’s only appearance at the MXON. With Anderson unable to continue, Webb went to the line as Team USA’s only rider in the crucial final moto of the day and was the country’s only shot at the win. He damn near did it. The overall points changed in the closing laps and at one time Webb reached a spot in the running order that would have been enough for the win. Unfortunately, a mistake on the tricky hillside turn put Webb at a precarious angle and he lost places to other riders. Although the American trio still finished on the podium, Webb’s expression made it very apparent that the loss weighed heavily on his mind. It did so for the next few months, actually, as it’s something he pinned for his struggles in the 450 class.

A trip to the Netherlands and a solid result at the MXON would be the perfect close to a career-rebuilding year for Webb. He’s won a pair of motos this summer for the overall at Spring Creek, a big breakthrough for the former National champion. There is no rider in the US field that would look down the starting line and think, “I can beat these guys,” and believe it as much as Webb would. You can be certain he’d put in a full effort on every lap.

Webb’s proven to be a good rider in soft conditions, something he says is thanks to his comfort on the KTM. Webb, Osborne, and Anderson would all have the full support of the Austrian brand behind them for the necessary tests, and together they could continue their routine. But with all of that said, it won’t matter unless Osborne does go to the 250, because Webb would have to be one of the two 450 riders.

JUSTIN BARCIA

Justin Barcia has lined up multiple times for the MXON, each with mixed results. His first trip was in 2012 for Lommel, when a run-in with another rider damaged the motorcycle during his first moto and he struggled to a 14^th place result and then regrouped for an impressive 3^rd place in his second moto, which helped the team stay on the podium. The results the next year in Germany were similar, with Barcia’s 4-11 finishes and the team’s second-place overall result. Barcia’s best personal results came in France in 2015, when 1-3 finishes gave him the personal MXGP division win and the American team finished second overall. As great as all of that is, most only remember his results from last year at RedBud, when he and the others struggled to adapt to the lines carved by the Europeans.

Barcia hasn’t had the greatest season due to injuries and some bike setup issues, so it’d be a stretch to see him on the final roster. But his history at the event, particularly that sandy year at Lommel, makes him worthy of consideration. Always one to embrace the European culture, he’d gladly go over early to test with others on the team. His backing is important to note too, as Monster Energy will likely want one of their top riders from the US to race.

Barcia and sand. That’s a hell of a combination.

JUSTIN COOPER

It’s common for the US team’s MX2 pick to be the top available rider in the 250 class and if the trend continues in 2019, then Justin Cooper will be at Assen. In his second pro season, Cooper has won motos and overalls and is in contention for the outdoor title. Speed is not an issue and Cooper has the confidence to match.

The MXON is unlike anything Cooper has experienced thus far in his career and it’s common for young Americans to get caught off guard at the race. There’s the travel, the superstar attention that comes from fans, the amount of riding over two days on a track that rarely gets touched up, and the way the European riding style impacts the way lines develop. Baggett, both of the Martin brothers, Seely, and Dungey all went through it and their results showed. Could Cooper go to the race and block all of that out for two days?

On the technical side, Star Racing’s YZ250F is by far one of the best small-bore bikes in history and their staff can get things ready to run with the mixed field of 450s. Like Barcia, team title sponsor Monster Energy would certainly like one of their own to be included and could cover part of the expenses to make it happen.

TEAM USA’S MOST LIKELY ROSTER
Zach Osborne – MXGP
Justin Cooper – MX2
Jason Anderson – Open

EDITOR’S OPINION OF TEAM USA’S IDEAL ROSTER
Cooper Webb – MXGP
Zach Osborne – MX2
Jason Anderson – Open