Team USA announced this year’s team for the 2026 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations. Three-time 450SX Champ Cooper Webb leads the team alongside Levi Kitchen of Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki and HRC Progressive’s Chance Hymas. This is Webb’s fourth time racing for the team and he also competed in the 2015 event in Ernee, France – the same venue as this year’s race. Webb will race the Open class, Hymas in MXGP, and Kitchen in MX2.
AMA Director of Racing Mike Pelletier will return as the team manager for the USA for a second year. Pelletier led the U.S. Motocross Team to a second-place finish in 2025, when the Americans served as host nation last October at Ironman Raceway, the site today’s announcement.
“We have put together an outstanding team for this year’s FIM Motocross of Nations as we look to build on last year’s success,” Pelletier said. “Having the opportunity to serve as the manager for Team USA has been incredibly rewarding, and I can’t wait to stand beside Cooper, Levi and Chance as we take on the world. I know they are ecstatic to represent their country this October in France.”
“I’m so excited and grateful to be on Team USA for MXoN again. It’s an honor and always has been,” Webb said. “We are moving mountains on my end to make this even happen and I can’t thank everyone involved enough for what they are doing to even have me be able to race this event. The preparation, resources, time and money that goes into making this happen is crazy so thank you to everyone for doing their part.
“I’m personally excited as this will be my last year racing Pro Motocross and I know this could be my final time for this event, so I’m ready to lay it all out there,” Webb continued. “I love the pressure and atmosphere this race brings; there is nothing like it. Best race in the world, and I’m excited to put our best foot forward. It’s an honor to represent my country!”
“I’m beyond excited to get the opportunity to race for Team USA in the MXGP class. It means everything to me and has been a dream of mine to carry the Stars and Stripes overseas and represent our country in front of the world,” Hymas said. “We have a strong team heading to France this year, and I’m confident between Cooper, Levi, and myself that we’ll represent America proudly.”
“What an honor it is to be selected to represent our amazing country,” Kitchen said. “I’m so excited for this experience and to do it with a great group of people. Can’t wait to send it for Team USA!”
There’s more to the story than meets the eye. The Star Racing Yamaha team already announced their withdrawal from the event which essentially confirms Webb will be on a new bike come October. Chance Hymas and Levi Kitchen are both 250 riders, and first timers for Team USA, with Hymas bumping up to the larger CRF450R in the Open Class for this year’s event.
