MX Sports Pro Racing Congratulates Barcia, Martin and Webb on Selection
to Team USA for 2015 Motocross of Nations
Yamaha-Mounted Trio Has Achieved Tremendous Success During 2015 Season

The Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, made its annual visit to iconic Unadilla MX last weekend for the 10^th stop of the 12 round season. As part of the series’ yearly foray to one of the most historic tracks in the sport, the three-rider lineup for Team USA was announced for the 2015 FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) in preparation for the country’s quest to claim a historic 23^rd victory. MX Sports Pro Racing congratulates Autotrader.com/Toyota/Yamaha’s Justin Barcia and the Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha duo of Jeremy Martin and Cooper Webb on their selection to lead Team USA into action on September 26-27 in Ernee, France.

For the first time in six years a rider other than Ryan Dungey will occupy the role of Team Captain in the MXGP class. After a record tying six straight appearances as “Captain America,” Dungey will take a long overdue and much-needed sabbatical from competition at the conclusion of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. Throughout his run at the MXoN, Dungey led Team USA to three consecutive wins between 2009-2011 and podium results in each year he competed.

"I wish the guys the best. I want to see them take it home,” said Dungey. “The last three years have been hard to stand on the third or the second step. It’s nice to stand on top. They’ve got a good team – those Yamahas are pretty strong out of the gate.”

In Dungey’s absence, Barcia now holds the distinction of Team Captain in his third trip to the MXoN. The 2015 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship has proven to be a breakout campaign for the electrifying Joe Gibbs Racing rider, winning the first 450 Class races of his career and currently occupying the runner-up spot in the championship standings. Since the halfway point of the summer no rider has been as good all around as Barcia, who not only has been able to get the job done out of the gate, recording a stretch of seven straight holeshots, but has also finished strong with nine podiums in the last 10 motos. Barcia was part of the squads that finished third in 2012 and second in 2013, and looks poised to lead Team USA into contention yet again. The trip overseas will be the first for the Joe Gibbs Racing MX squad, which has enjoyed its most successful season to date with Barcia on board.

"To be the team leader, I didn’t think I would be saying that this year,” explained Barcia. “For me it’s an honor to go represent the USA, and it’s very special. I think we’re going with a very strong team – Jeremy’s great, Cooper’s really good right now. Our bikes are definitely strong – they’re rocket ships.”

Martin will occupy the MX2 slot for the second consecutive year. As the fastest rising star in the 250 Class, with a chance to claim the first back-to-back titles since 2007-2008, he’s the obvious choice to go head-to-head against the world’s best in the smaller displacement. Although his first foray at the MXoN was marred by a crash that left him a broken foot, Martin is an even stronger rider than he was a year ago and is more than capable of pacing the division. This season he’s shown an uncanny ability to surge through the field no matter where he starts, which will prove to be a critical asset at the MXoN where both 450cc and 250cc bikes compete at the same time.

"I’m excited for des Nations. Obviously last year I struggled, breaking my foot, so I’m definitely pissed off about that. I’m ready to go back over there and try to bring it home for America,” stated Martin. “A good career is 10 years, and if I can be there and grind it out for 10 years and have an opportunity to represent America, that’s awesome. I want to make America proud.”

The newest American rider to add his name to the extensive and prestigious list of Team USA representatives is Webb, who will make the jump up in displacement to race a 450cc bike in the Open Class just for this event. There may not be a rider in the sport of motocross who has shown more progression over the past year than Webb, who’s relentless mentality on the track makes him a true wild card in the typically unpredictable “open” division of MXoN that allows for 250cc, 350cc and 450cc bikes. Despite missing four races this summer with injury, Webb has still added a pair of overall wins to his credit and earned critical championship-winning experience this past winner en route to his first ever pro title in the FIM/AMA Supercross 250SX West Region.

As has been the case for many years, these three riders will be coached and mentored by none other than Hall of Famer Roger DeCoster, who will continue his role as Team Manager. “The Man” who oversees Red Bull KTM, which appears to be headed to a third 450 Class title in four years and possibly its first 250 Class crown, has been at the forefront of the bulk of Team USA’s success at the MXoN. DeCoster has always found a way to get the most out of his riders in this prestigious event and it’s why the American contingent is always the heavy favorite to win, no matter which riders ultimately line up on the gate.

The last MXoN to be held at Moto Club Ernee in France was in 2005. That year the Team USA lineup of Ricky Carmichael, Kevin Windham and Ivan Tedesco kicked off a seven-year run of dominance by the Yankees that lasted until 2011. It’s been three years since Team USA last stood atop the MXoN podium, which coincidentally enough was also in France, but the setting at Ernee presents an opportune time for history to repeat itself and allow Team USA to add to its all-time leading win total.

The FIM Motocross of Nations is the most high profile off-road motorcycle event in the world and is one of the most prestigious motorsports events on the planet. The annual battle between the best riders from countries across the globe is affectionately known as the “Olympics of Motocross” and has been held every year since 1947. More information about the event can be found at the official Motocross of Nations website.

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