Cycle News Staff | August 12, 2017
AMA Announces 2017 U.S. Motocross Of Nations Team – The AMA today announced the three riders who will represent the United States at the 2017 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations at Matterly Basin in Winchester, England, October 1. And they are: Zach Osborne, Cole Seely and Thomas Covington. Seely will compete in the MX1 class, Osborne, who will be the team’s caption, MX2 and Covington the Open class. Roger DeCoster will again manage the team.
AMA Announces 2017 U.S. Motocross Of Nations Team
“This year’s team is immensely talented,” said AMA Director of Racing Kevin Crowther. “Zach [Osborne], Cole [Seely], and Thomas [Covington] are accomplished riders, who have the aptitude and skill to capture the world championship. And they will, undoubtedly, give every ounce of effort to bring home gold.”
“I think it is important to have someone who is excited to be on the team,” said Seely. “I’m stoked to make it this year and represent the country.”
“Being chosen to represent Team USA at the FIM Motocross of Nations has been a huge goal and dream of mine for a very long time,” said Osborne. “I couldn’t be happier to travel to the United Kingdom to race and ride my very best to bring the championship trophy back to the USA.”
AMA Announces 2017 U.S. Motocross Of Nations Team
“I am truly honored to be picked for the United States’ Motocross of Nations Team,” said Covington who currently competes in the MX2 class in the FIM Motocross World Championshp. “I am really looking forward to getting to represent my home country overseas.”
“With Osborne it was obvious, and he has been wanting to go [to the Motocross of Nations] for years,” said DeCoster. “Every year he has asked me, and I have had to turn him down. This year he has earned it. Seely and Covington’s results have picked up and I think it’s a good time for them. All three riders really want to do it and their [respective] teams give them really good support.”
Eli Tomac, who was a consideration as a team member and a past MXoN participant, announced earlier that he did not want to compete in this year’s race, opting to rest after a busy schedule, which includes competing in the upcoming USGP in Florida and the Monster Energy Cup. Another front runner for the team, Jason Anderson, was unavailable due to injury. In fact, he’s sitting out the rest of the outdoor nationals after having surgery on his foot.
A thumb injury also ruled out Blake Baggett. CN
AMA Announces 2017 U.S. Motocross Of Nations Team