Webb, Tomac fill in for injured riders on Team USA MXoN
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing has revealed that Cooper Webb and Eli Tomac will join Team USA and race the MX2 class at the 2024 Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Motocross of Nations. This year, the event will be held at the Matterley Basin Circuit in Winchester, U.K., on October 4-6.
Cooper Webb will replace Honda HRC’s Chance Hymas, who announced he was having season-ending knee surgery and wouldn’t be available for the MXoN event.
“I’m so excited to be headed to MXON. It’s a fire drill situation and decision, but I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity. I was asked to ride a 250, so I spun some laps on Haiden’s bike and remembered how good the YZ250F is. I haven’t raced one since 2016, but I felt right at home with the few laps that I did. I will be all in on 250 prep after Vegas SMX, and I’m excited for the opportunity to represent my country. Let’s do this!”
In addition, Eli Tomac will replace Red Bull KTM’s Sexton to keep America’s 2024 world title hopes alive. Sexton’s injury, sustained at the final round of SuperMotocross in Las Vegas, came only three days after previous team member Chance Hymas confirmed he would be out with a tweaked knee.
This leaves Open Class rider Aaron Plessinger with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing as the only original member on the 2024 roster. Team USA is managed by AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend and five-time Motocross World Champion Roger Decoster.
“Due to the unfortunate racing incident Chase was involved in at the final round of SMX, I was the next one in line to take his place for Team USA,” Tomac comments. “Aaron, Cooper and I are ready to give it our best effort at Matterely Basin. This is very short notice for my team, but we are going to make it happen!”
AMA Director of Racing Mike Pelletier thanked Tomac for joining the 2024 effort at the last minute.
“Yet again, a proud American motocross racer is stepping up to meet fate’s call,” Pelletier says. “Eli Tomac is one of the sport’s great champions, and it’s our honor to welcome him back to Team USA for the 2024 MXON. On behalf of the AMA and all U.S. motocross fans, I want to thank Eli for rising to the occasion and of course to wish Chase a speedy and complete recovery. I also want to acknowledge Star Racing’s commitment to scramble and thank them for providing another rider.”
To help support the 2024 U.S. Motocross of Nations team, visit www.raiseit4usa.com/.
