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Supercross & Motocross
MXON: Team USA Unveiled
Title leaders Ryan Dungey and Blake Baggett were selected as exected, but a wild card was added to the mix to round out the squad…
Red Bull/KTM's Ryan Dungey (Photo: Hoppenworld.com)
Earlier this week at SPEED.com we evaluated which riders were in the discussion to claim a coveted spot on the Team USA roster for this season’s Motocross of Nations in Belgium.
And appropriately enough, the AMA officially announced the line-up this morning at Southwick, America’s premier sand track, which stands as the best opportunity for our riders to prepare for the tough track they'll face in Lommel, Belgium in late September.
Boasting six straight overall wins entering today's competition, it was no surprise to learn that for the fourth consecutive year Ryan Dungey will 'captain' the squad in the MX1 class. Dungey is undefeated at the MXoN and has demonstrated the capability to stand out as the best individual rider at the event. Based on the exceptional season he’s enjoyed aboard his new KTM to date, Dungey looks like an obvious choice to help further Team USA's dominance, even when pit up against counterparts that possess a lot more experience racing in the sand.
Lining up alongside Dungey to contest the MX2 class will be none other than Blake Baggett, who has arguably been the fastest 250cc rider this summer. While he’s been challenged all summer long, Baggett has shown an uncanny ability to battle through the field and win virtually no matter where he starts. Even when you think it's time to count Baggett out, he somehow finds a way to do the unthinkable and claim victory. That sort of confidence-crushing talent is something that should be very valuable in an all-out competitive environment like the MXoN.
Baggett’s selection for MX2 presumably left free the man who is arguably America’s best sand rider in Justin Barcia. Like I said earlier this week, the Motocross of Nations is about pulling out all the stops for the sake of winning and as suspected, Barcia will saddle a 450cc machine in the MX3 class at Lommel, rounding out a very young, but very fast Team USA.
Just as Dungey did in in 2009, Barcia will use the MXoN as his formal graduation into the premier class ranks. He has previous experience on the 450 -- including an impressive a moto win at Southwick as a substitute rider. Much like his Team USA teammate Dungey, Barcia hopes the move will produce overseas success.
Left on the outside looking in following the announcement is Mike Alessi. The rider who currently sits second in the 450 Class Championship and has finished on the overall podium in six of eight rounds this seasons will not make his MXoN debut for Team USA.
However, all hope is not lost for Alessi. As the rider who ended Dungey’s moto winning streak at the previous stop at Washougal, Alessi certainly has the speed to contend with the best riders in the world. Even though Team USA will not feature him, Team Puerto Rico could be an open door for the veteran rider. As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico has been known to campaign American-born riders on their team such as Kyle Osborne, Kyle Regal, and Jimmy Albertson. With such impressive credentials supporting his addition, one would think that Alessi is a surefire selection for this squad.
Perhaps we will see Mike giving it his all in Belgium after all, looking to go bar-to-bar against his American opponents on the global stage.
And appropriately enough, the AMA officially announced the line-up this morning at Southwick, America’s premier sand track, which stands as the best opportunity for our riders to prepare for the tough track they'll face in Lommel, Belgium in late September.
Boasting six straight overall wins entering today's competition, it was no surprise to learn that for the fourth consecutive year Ryan Dungey will 'captain' the squad in the MX1 class. Dungey is undefeated at the MXoN and has demonstrated the capability to stand out as the best individual rider at the event. Based on the exceptional season he’s enjoyed aboard his new KTM to date, Dungey looks like an obvious choice to help further Team USA's dominance, even when pit up against counterparts that possess a lot more experience racing in the sand.
Lining up alongside Dungey to contest the MX2 class will be none other than Blake Baggett, who has arguably been the fastest 250cc rider this summer. While he’s been challenged all summer long, Baggett has shown an uncanny ability to battle through the field and win virtually no matter where he starts. Even when you think it's time to count Baggett out, he somehow finds a way to do the unthinkable and claim victory. That sort of confidence-crushing talent is something that should be very valuable in an all-out competitive environment like the MXoN.
Baggett’s selection for MX2 presumably left free the man who is arguably America’s best sand rider in Justin Barcia. Like I said earlier this week, the Motocross of Nations is about pulling out all the stops for the sake of winning and as suspected, Barcia will saddle a 450cc machine in the MX3 class at Lommel, rounding out a very young, but very fast Team USA.
Just as Dungey did in in 2009, Barcia will use the MXoN as his formal graduation into the premier class ranks. He has previous experience on the 450 -- including an impressive a moto win at Southwick as a substitute rider. Much like his Team USA teammate Dungey, Barcia hopes the move will produce overseas success.
Left on the outside looking in following the announcement is Mike Alessi. The rider who currently sits second in the 450 Class Championship and has finished on the overall podium in six of eight rounds this seasons will not make his MXoN debut for Team USA.
However, all hope is not lost for Alessi. As the rider who ended Dungey’s moto winning streak at the previous stop at Washougal, Alessi certainly has the speed to contend with the best riders in the world. Even though Team USA will not feature him, Team Puerto Rico could be an open door for the veteran rider. As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico has been known to campaign American-born riders on their team such as Kyle Osborne, Kyle Regal, and Jimmy Albertson. With such impressive credentials supporting his addition, one would think that Alessi is a surefire selection for this squad.
Perhaps we will see Mike giving it his all in Belgium after all, looking to go bar-to-bar against his American opponents on the global stage.
SX Seattle
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