2022 Motocross Des Nations Preview

This is it. The annual running of the Motocross Des Nations, aka the “Olympics of Motocross.” Hands down, the year’s premier global event of professional motocross racing. Sept. 24-25 at the famed RedBud MX in Buchanan, Michigan, USA. Hallowed grounds for the sport as the world decides which country has, plain and simple, the best three-man motocross team. The track is groomed, the structures are up and signage is in place – creating a motocross battlefield at a most-worthy facility on the cusp of celebrating its 50th anniversary of racing.

And the entire world’s gonna be there.

Three representatives from 34 nations, 102 of the world’s top motocross racers, all vying for national supremacy at RedBud. And dominant amongst the virtual rainbow of brand logos flashing throughout the 40-man starting gates will be the world-renown M-claw logo from Monster Energy – showcasing 12 of its foremost racers, representing nine nations, all with one thing in mind, bringing home the prestigious Chamberlain Trophy as the world’s best motocross country.

Historically, the odds are in Team USA’s favor. A 13-year run (from 1981-1993) and winning the most (eight) MXDN championships since 2000, points to America as one of the favorites in the chase for the Chamberlain Cup. The Red, White & Blue (with some distinct, glowing green highlights) is led by Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Eli Tomac, who’s easily the hottest racer in the world right now. As the dual Monster Energy AMA Supercross and Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross champion, Tomac will team with Monster Energy’s Chase Sexton (Honda), with whom he battled in the closest U.S. MX Nationals 450 class championship in history. Joining the two superior 450 class racers on Team USA will be Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Justin Cooper. Cooper is a former Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250 class champion and winner of multiple motos this summer on the MX Nationals tour, to round out the all-Monster Energy Team USA for 2022.

Also, well-represented by Monster Energy-backed racers, and a favorite to challenge for the Chamberlain Trophy, will be Team France – led by 2021 MX Nationals champion Dylan Ferrandis (Star Racing/Yamaha) and Maxime Renaux (Yamaha MXGP).

Other individual Monster Energy-backed racers to keep an eye on include Japan’s Jo Shimoda (Pro Circuit/Kawasaki), who’s coming off a career-best 2nd place overall in the MX Nationals’ 250 class this summer; Belgium’s Jago Geerts (Yamaha/MXGP), himself placing 2nd overall in MXGP’s MX2 class; And the white-hot Guillem Farres (Star Racing/Yamaha), who definitely turned some heads at the last couple MX Nationals races in his abbreviate series’ rookie campaign.

The full list of Monster Energy-backed racers at this weekend’s Motocross Des Nations at RedBud MX: