An Experienced Team USA

For the first time in a generation, Team USA isn’t sending a first-timer to the Motocross of Nations. Eli Tomac, Cooper Webb and Aaron Plessinger have all been to the Olympics of Motocross.

In fact, Webb and AP each have two starts, Tomac has four. His first was back in 2013.

The last time the AMA sent an all-experience team was in 2008 (James Stewart, Ryan Villopoto and Tim Ferry) which, like 2024, also ran in southern England’s Mattlerley Basin.

And not only is this team experienced at MXoN, the average age of the three members is just over 30. Tomac turns 32 next month; Webbs turns 29 on Nov. 10 and Plessinger’s 29th birthday is in January.

Eli Tomac Career MXoN Results

Slide table left for more info.

Despite having eight appearances between them, only Tomac has an outright moto win. None of the three riders have won an individual overall victory.

Tomac (MXGP) is filling in for the injured Chase Sexton (hand).

Aaron Plessinger (Open) has the most recent MXoN appearance. He was part of America’s throttling in France 2023 (8th overall). That was Team USA’s worst finish since 1997 (8th in Belgium).

Aaron Plessinger Career MXoN Results

Slide table left for more info.

For the third time in his career, Cooper Webb (MX2) will break from the class where he normally competes to fulfill his spot on Team USA. Not only is Webb filling in for the injured Chance Hymas (knee), he’s racing a YZ250F for the first time in over eight years!

Webb is the 2016 250 Pro Motocross champion and a two-time 250SX champion. In 250MX, he won seven races and had 20 overall podiums in his 44 starts.

Cooper Webb Career MXoN Results

Slide table left for more info.

Webb’s last MXoN visit ended in devastation; with two laps to go in Italy, he ran fifth, in position to deliver Team USA the overall win. And this, despite his teammate Jason Anderson not lining up at all for the final moto (Anderson was landed on when he rolled the finish line after winning moto one).

On a steep, banked, left hand hairpin, Webb’s rear tire spun out of the rutted line and he fell. The awkward angle made it difficult to remount and restart. Webb finished 10th in the moto and Team USA lost to France by four points.

Fun fact: It’s been 8 years since Webb last appeared on Team USA but that isn’t the longest gap; Bob Hannah had a nine year gap between his second appearance in 1978 and his third appearance in 1987.