2024 Motocross Of Nations | Team USA Announced

The AMA has confirmed Chase Sexton, Chance Hymas, and Aaron Plessinger will compete at the 2024 Motocross of Nations. The news follows intense strategizing and deliberation that took place during the final stretch of the Pro Motocross Championship, and sets the three-man roster for the international race that will take place in England in October.

Newly crowned 450 MX champion Sexton will serve as the Team Captain with his role in the MXGP Class, Aaron Plessinger will line up in the Open Class, and Chance Hymas has been tapped for the MX2 Class. 

Sexton and Plessinger have represented Team USA on past occasions, with Plessinger putting in admirable efforts in 2018 and 2023 while Sexton was part of the winning team in 2022, but this will be a career-first for Hymas.

The past few weeks have been an important time for Team USA. Sexton’s participation was confirmed earlier in the summer, but a handful of other riders were in contention for the remaining two spots. The Open Class position was between Aaron Plessinger and Eli Tomac, as Plessinger’s results through the summer proved that he is among the best American riders in the world while Tomac’s return to action was influenced by the multi-time champion’s chances of being chosen. Tomac, however, removed himself from consideration following the last moto of the season at Ironman, and that all but confirmed Plessinger.

Haiden Deegan, Levi Kitchen, and Hymas were on the shortlist for the MX2 Class. Deegan was ultimately ruled out, as looming removal of hardware in his wrist, Tomac’s participation, and Star Racing’s commitment to the program have all been cited as reasons by the rider and the Yamaha team. Kawasaki’s current stance toward Team USA’s organization reduced the likelihood of Kitchen making the trip, but the rider attempted to sway the OEM and Pro Circuit with strong results through the summer. 

Honda’s involvement with Team Australia (Team Honda HRC will support Lawrence-Webster-Lawrence with factory equipment and personnel), multiple wins and podiums, and open interest to the AMA through the summer helped cement Hymas’s spot.

“I want to thank Honda for answering the call and showing unwavering support for Chance’s first time selection as part of the team and KTM for always supporting the Des Nations efforts,” said Team Manager Roger De Coster. “It really is and should always be the greatest honor to represent your country on the international stage and I have the utmost respect for any rider and team that steps up to the challenge. With this group of three highly patriotic and talented racers, I have high hopes we will be waving the USA flag from the top step of the podium this year.”

Below is the full press release by the AMA, including quotes from all three riders…

A trio of top-flight motocross racers will represent the United States at the 2024 Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Motocross of Nations, which will be held Oct. 4-6 at Matterley Basin in Winchester, U.K.

Leading the charge for the United States will be 2024 Pro Motocross 450 and 2023 AMA Supercross 450SX champion Chase Sexton, who will be joined by fellow AMA Supercross competitors Aaron Plessinger and Chance Hymas during the three-day event.

“This team has the shared mission of bringing the United States back to the top of the podium on the world stage, and will fight hard to accomplish that goal,” AMA Director of Racing Mike Pelletier said. “We have brought together three outstanding racers that are eager to represent their country. I cannot wait to see what we accomplish this year as a team.”

Sexton — who aided the United States to the 2022 Motocross of Nations title — will take over as team captain for Team USA this year and will compete in the MXGP Class for the stars and stripes.

“There is no greater honor than getting the opportunity to show your real patriotism on a world stage and represent your country overseas,” Sexton said. “I’ve had the opportunity to be part of a winning Team USA before, and there’s no greater feeling than standing on top of the podium waving the red, white and blue. I’m lucky enough to get that chance to do it again this year alongside two great teammates.

“I couldn’t ask for a more America-loving teammate than Aaron, who I know will give it his all as he has all season,” Sexton continued. “Chance I know well and he has shown a lot of speed all season long, so looking forward to building the bond with the boys and vie for the top spot in the UK in a few weeks.”

Plessinger returns to the Motocross of Nations for the second-consecutive year and will battle for glory in the Open Class.

“Man, I love America! I am so happy they have asked me to be part of Team USA again. Last year was bitter-sweet for me. Bitter we didn’t win but sweet because I got to put my money where my mouth was and show up with my American spirit on full display,” Plessinger said.

“This year I want redemption and just want it to be sweet,” Plessinger added. “I get to represent my country on the world stage alongside my teammate Chase, which is just awesome. And I look forward to getting to know Chance even more and hopefully some of my Americana will rub off on him. Let’s go USA!”

At just 19 years old, Hymas is the youngest member of the team, but the significance of the event is not lost on the budding motocross star. Hymas will race on behalf of the United States in the MX2 Class.

“It’s an honor to be chosen to represent team USA this year. It’s been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember to race Motocross of Nations,” Hymas said. “It means so much to get the support from Team Honda HRC and the AMA. I can’t thank Mike Pelletier enough for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to go represent my country against the best in the world!”

The United States will once again be led by motocross legend and team manager Roger DeCoster, who competed on six victorious FIM Motocross of Nations teams during the 1960s and 70s. Since his retirement from racing, DeCoster has remained an integral part of the sport as a team manager for several AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross teams. DeCoster has led the United States to 21 FIM Motocross of Nations team victories.

“I’m pleased we are able to put forward another strong contingent of riders at this year’s 2024 Motocross of Nations. All three riders were quick to sign on for the opportunity to represent their country and fly the red, white and blue flag for Team USA in the UK,” Decoster said. “Chase, Aaron and Chance all had extremely strong Motocross seasons this year and earned their positions on the team.

“I want to thank Honda for answering the call and showing unwavering support for Chance’s first time selection as part of the team and KTM for always supporting the Des Nations efforts,” DeCoster continued. “It really is and should always be the greatest honor to represent your country on the international stage and I have the utmost respect for any rider and team that steps up to the challenge. With this group of three highly patriotic and talented racers, I have high hopes we will be waving the USA flag from the top step of the podium this year.”

Beginning in 1947, the FIM Motocross of Nations is among the most significant motorsports events in the world each year — with national teams from around the world competing for supremacy in motocross.