Dungey, Baggett and Barcia Selected for MXoN
Saturday, August 11, 2012 | 1:25 PM
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The American Motorcyclist Association is pleased to announce the members of the U.S. team that will compete at the FIM Motocross of Nations Sept. 30-31 in Lommel, Belgium. The 2012 team will include Red Bull/KTM's Ryan Dungey, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Blake Baggett and GEICO Honda's Justin Barcia.
Perennial U.S. Team Manager and Motorcycle Hall of Famer Roger DeCoster will manage the team in its hunt for a record 23rd Motocross of Nations Championship.
"We will have Ryan in MX1. Blake, who has excellent support for the 250cc bike from Mitch [Payton], will be our MX2 rider, and Barcia will be our open class rider," DeCoster said. "This is a great team. They have proven that they are solid riders, especially in the sand, and the Lommel track is a very deep sand track."
Riders in the Motocross of Nations compete in either the MX1, which features 450cc bikes; the MX2 class, which includes 250cc motorcycles; or the open class.
Dungey, who returns for his fourth time to the Motocross of Nations, said he is thrilled for the opportunity.
"It's a pleasure, and it's an honor to represent my country at the Motocross of Nations," said Dungey, who is leading the points for the 450cc Lucas Oil AMA Pro Racing Motocross Championship. "Blake has a year of experience [at the Motocross of Nations] and although it's Barcia's first year we do a great job of welcoming everybody. We're not racing against each other. We are racing with each other for one goal, and that's to win the Motocross of Nations. With Roger and the rest of the organizational team behind us, we have excellent support and all the support we need to win."
Baggett said he's confident in the U.S. team's chances to win the title.
"I'm excited to go to Belgium and race," said Baggett, who is leading the points in the 250cc class in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Racing Motocross Championship. "It will be cool and a life experience for sure. The atmosphere of this race is really big and crazy, but the best advice is what I got last year, just ride to your potential, race the track and don't worry about the thousands of European fans and the competition you've never raced before. If we ride the best that we can, there should be no problems of winning it. We'll just go over there and bring the trophy home."
Barcia, who is stepping up to the 450cc bike to compete in the open class, said he is ready for the challenge and thrilled to be on the 2012 team.
"It's a little bit shocking, really. It's awesome," said Barcia, who is currently second behind Baggett in the 250cc class championship standings. "I've always dreamed of racing for the U.S. at the Motocross of Nations, and it's incredible. I'm speechless. To be picked for that team is just mind blowing. I'll be riding a 450, and that will be exciting. I practice on the 450 a lot, and I ride the sand really well. I've matured a lot in the past year, and I'm ready."
AMA Director of Supercross and AMA Pro Racing Relations Kevin Crowther said that the 2012 team is stacked from top to bottom.
"The AMA has an enormous amount of industry, fan and racer support for this effort," Crowther said. "We are bringing an extremely talented team to Belgium, both in terms of the riders and the support crew behind the scenes. In addition to the on-bike talent, exceptional leaders such as Roger DeCoster, Mitch Payton, Chris Onstott, Jeff Canfield and Doc Bodner, and many more, really step up as part of the operational backbone for this event."
For Belgium native DeCoster, the 2012 Motocross of Nations will be a homecoming in more ways than one. Lommel is the same track where the U.S. team, also managed by DeCoster, won its first Motocross of Nations title in 1981.
"That's where we won the first time, 31 years ago," DeCoster said. "That first team [of Donnie Hansen, Danny LaPorte, Johnny O'Mara and Chuck Sun] was one of the youngest in history, and we are returning with another extremely young team. This will be a great Motocross of Nations. Being on the same track where we won the first time makes it very special."
The Motocross of Nations is one of the most high-profile motorsport events in the world. It features national teams competing for a combined score to determine the overall championship-winning country. The event emerged in post-war Europe in 1947 and has run uninterrupted since that time.
The United States is the reigning champion of the Motocross of Nations, winning in 2011 when the event was held in Saint D'Angely, France. The United States is also the all-time leader in Motocross of Nations overall victories with 22. Great Britain is second with 16.
Perennial U.S. Team Manager and Motorcycle Hall of Famer Roger DeCoster will manage the team in its hunt for a record 23rd Motocross of Nations Championship.
"We will have Ryan in MX1. Blake, who has excellent support for the 250cc bike from Mitch [Payton], will be our MX2 rider, and Barcia will be our open class rider," DeCoster said. "This is a great team. They have proven that they are solid riders, especially in the sand, and the Lommel track is a very deep sand track."
Riders in the Motocross of Nations compete in either the MX1, which features 450cc bikes; the MX2 class, which includes 250cc motorcycles; or the open class.
Dungey, who returns for his fourth time to the Motocross of Nations, said he is thrilled for the opportunity.
"It's a pleasure, and it's an honor to represent my country at the Motocross of Nations," said Dungey, who is leading the points for the 450cc Lucas Oil AMA Pro Racing Motocross Championship. "Blake has a year of experience [at the Motocross of Nations] and although it's Barcia's first year we do a great job of welcoming everybody. We're not racing against each other. We are racing with each other for one goal, and that's to win the Motocross of Nations. With Roger and the rest of the organizational team behind us, we have excellent support and all the support we need to win."
Baggett said he's confident in the U.S. team's chances to win the title.
"I'm excited to go to Belgium and race," said Baggett, who is leading the points in the 250cc class in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Racing Motocross Championship. "It will be cool and a life experience for sure. The atmosphere of this race is really big and crazy, but the best advice is what I got last year, just ride to your potential, race the track and don't worry about the thousands of European fans and the competition you've never raced before. If we ride the best that we can, there should be no problems of winning it. We'll just go over there and bring the trophy home."
Barcia, who is stepping up to the 450cc bike to compete in the open class, said he is ready for the challenge and thrilled to be on the 2012 team.
"It's a little bit shocking, really. It's awesome," said Barcia, who is currently second behind Baggett in the 250cc class championship standings. "I've always dreamed of racing for the U.S. at the Motocross of Nations, and it's incredible. I'm speechless. To be picked for that team is just mind blowing. I'll be riding a 450, and that will be exciting. I practice on the 450 a lot, and I ride the sand really well. I've matured a lot in the past year, and I'm ready."
AMA Director of Supercross and AMA Pro Racing Relations Kevin Crowther said that the 2012 team is stacked from top to bottom.
"The AMA has an enormous amount of industry, fan and racer support for this effort," Crowther said. "We are bringing an extremely talented team to Belgium, both in terms of the riders and the support crew behind the scenes. In addition to the on-bike talent, exceptional leaders such as Roger DeCoster, Mitch Payton, Chris Onstott, Jeff Canfield and Doc Bodner, and many more, really step up as part of the operational backbone for this event."
For Belgium native DeCoster, the 2012 Motocross of Nations will be a homecoming in more ways than one. Lommel is the same track where the U.S. team, also managed by DeCoster, won its first Motocross of Nations title in 1981.
"That's where we won the first time, 31 years ago," DeCoster said. "That first team [of Donnie Hansen, Danny LaPorte, Johnny O'Mara and Chuck Sun] was one of the youngest in history, and we are returning with another extremely young team. This will be a great Motocross of Nations. Being on the same track where we won the first time makes it very special."
The Motocross of Nations is one of the most high-profile motorsport events in the world. It features national teams competing for a combined score to determine the overall championship-winning country. The event emerged in post-war Europe in 1947 and has run uninterrupted since that time.
The United States is the reigning champion of the Motocross of Nations, winning in 2011 when the event was held in Saint D'Angely, France. The United States is also the all-time leader in Motocross of Nations overall victories with 22. Great Britain is second with 16.
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Perfect, just Perfect!
Without RV being available, this was the obvious choice to me.
Looking at the practice gallery, Lommel is twice as deep! USA will find it hard this year.
Here's the man to beat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54YvkRYABfo
Yea if you dont water it the sand on any track looks like that......
Im calling Foul on ditching Alessi..... Rules are Rules ......
I can't stand Alessi but he got hosed. Decoster is obviously a great manager but it seems like maybe he's letting personal feelings get in the way? Sure Barcia's the popular vote but Alessi's been pretty damn consistent this year and I doubt he would have had much problems taking the MX3 class.
I don't get why they would choose barcia to race the 450 class when they already have a 450 rider in ALessi who has raced well all season.,even winning a race..Not many other factory riders have even come close to winning a race so it's big that Alessi won one!!!!!
I'm sure barcia will do well but he is not in the 450 class....Even Roger D can be as dissapointing as anyone...I've lost respect for this guy...GO home decoster, your not american, you shouldn't be choosing who goes for the american team!!!
Barcia got 7th,,beat by non factory riders.....not as consistant as Alessi....good choice for the MXDN....ROgers loosing his old mind!!!
I'm with you ClappedOut. Alessi should have been picked.
Too bad they didn't send Robbie Marshall
"B" Team Ha Ha!
I agree with the pick Barcia is a better rider tha Alessi. ( which one is more likely to make an A$$ out of U.S. is a toss up though)
The completely illogical things people say on here never cease to amaze me.....my wife, a month after she met me, had figured out, and knew more about our sport than most of you guys!...."Alessi should have been picked"....what are you guys smokin???
Roger's record speaks for itself. He knows what he's doing and these are the right choices - let's support our team. Go USA!!!
The Alessi family was invited to plead their MXoN case, but all the bridges leading to the meeting with DeCoster were burned....
The top five guys (sometimes more) in the 250 class were CONSISTENTLY (consistency is important to clapped out) faster than Alessi every week this year. Alessi (this year anyway) has not been on the same level as those guys. Any girl, who has never watched motocross before, but who watched three or four races this year....and paid attention, could tell you this.....so, I'm pretty sure Roger could too.
iloveyoulongtime, that's not such a bad idea....in the sand, Robbie Marshall may actually be a better choice than Alessi....at least we know he won't do anything crazy....or illegal....like torpedoe another rider, hop off his bike and onto the other riders bike, and hit the kill switch....lol
"He's more patriotic"...not sure what that means? Alessi has baggage, but he has worked hard at not being as much of a dbag this year and has been more consistent than any other season. He is clearly the second fastest guy in the 450 class and I think he deserves a shot.
Dungey for MX1 = No Brainer
Baggett for MX2 = No Brainer
MX3 was much more up in the air as RV2 is out (who knows - if he was here they may have put him in MX1). But, even though I am not a fan of Barcia's, he was the right choice for MX3. He has already shown he can haul the mail on a 450, and he has been riding well through both the SX and MX seasons (even though not as good as Baggett outdoors).
While I can somewhat see what people are saying about Alessi - right now he is definitely "the best of the rest" in the 450 class - I still think Barcia is the better choice for MX3. But I definitely don't get all the DeCoster bashing. Yeah, he does have something against Mike Alessi - he was a former employee that never listened! What happens if you don't listen to your boss at work? You get fired. What happens if you expect your former boss to pick you over someone else? You will be disappointed. That's life, folks.
The MXdN is a TEAM sport, and everyone has to stick to the team gameplan, even if it doesn't suit their own agenda. Can you imagine Tony Alessi telling Mikey to try to finish ahead of Dungey to get himself some great press on the world stage? I can! Wouldn't it be great if Mike took out Dungey (even accidentally) trying to make a point? Yeah, the Euros would love that!
Come on, guys - for whatever reason, Mike seems to have a problem with Dungey (started with him flipping Dungey the bird at MEC last year). There is no room for that kind of crap at the MXdN. Alessi should stay home, and Barcia should go. DeCoster got it right.
Geico Honda (maybe a factory 450?) was probably the only other 250cc team with the budget to fully back their rider for the MXoN??
I dont care who goes as long as any other country other than usa wins
Thanks Grifter for your superior knowledge on the topic of motocross and it's participants. I feel a lot smarter now. My apologies to your wife.
Unbelievable how short some of you guy's memories are. We're talking about MIKE ALESSI of the ALESSI family. He has burned more bridges than Rommel. We're also talking about Roger 'The Man" Decoster. The last time he caught so much criticism was when he went to KTM. I guess he's doing okay with that. I believe he knows what he's doing...
@Kawasaki277, I wouldn't get your hopes up. France and Belgium are the only two countries with a legitimate chance, but even theirs is a distant one.
Are you kidding me? Alessi should go regardless of what a baby Decoster is. Barcia is a joke. Yeah that first moto was awesome in the sand today. He does not even look into the camera when interviewed. Not a great representation of America IMO. Cry baby who would take out another rider to win like last year at Unadilla is not good for the American image. Alessi would appreciate the opportunity to represent America. He has wanted it for a long time. But because it is political Roger gets his way. He needs to be the Belgium manager and let Johnny O' or Mitch Payton run the show for team America.
An Alessi representing the USA? What, is he going to stand on DeSalle's bike and hit the kill switch? Subject an entire innocent planet to one of his patented "I don't know when to just shut up," interviews?? DeCoster cares too much about this country (and the MXdN) to ever allow that. Tony Alessi waltzing around in Team USA duds and "helping" Roger FRICKIN DeCoster manage the team?? Oh, the humanity.
Besides all else; Mikey only does well when nothing is on the line. Under pressure he (The Hype, The Navy Seal, The Chihuahua) falls apart like a cheap suit.
Child, please.
rgenic, glad you know more about this than DeCoster. The Man, Multi-Time World Champ, Honda Team Manager, Suzuki Team Manager, & USA MXdN manager for about 439 wins...... who has also teamed and traveled with the miracle that is Team Alessi.
This makes sense to you? What's it like in there?
Doesn't matter
I'm not a fan of Alessi or Barcia but in my opinion if Barcia were running 450's this year Allesi would be 3rd in points. Both are more than capable of doing dumb sheet. The Alessi clan has been at it for much longer and they have created a situation where Aleesi will never sniff another factory ride or MXDN invite. I don't think DeCoster is being a "baby", he just doesn't need Alessi nor does he owe him anything.
Alessi had his chances and Blew them.......Good luck Team USA
The choice is a good one for many reasons. Barcia does not fold under pressure and does not run out of steam late in motos. ET, RV, would both be far better backups than Allessi both in performance and reputation.
If I had fired Allesi from my team I would NEVER consider him to represent the USA espicially since he still cheats and fades (like yesterday) Last year the punk was flipping RD the bird in front of millions and some idiots want them to be teammates ???????? MA has pulled FAR more classless stunts than JB and has won FAR less. Its shocking to me he is even considered when we have ET, RV, and even JS. In Barcia's first race on a 450 a year ago he blew by MA and left him in the dust.
Sorry clapped out. (My wife made me say that after she reminded me that alot of the guys on here are really just 13 year old boys sitting at the computer in their spiderman underoos sharing their thoughts).
this should be about motocross not about emotions,weak people run on negative emotions and keep them alive...only the strong move on...it should be the top 450 riders to race 450...
nothing against barcia who has had many embarrasing moments but he hasn't raced the 450 series this year!!!! their should be rules for this so crap like this does not happen...\
STOP making this a personality show! \roger should suck it up and be a man, not the man anymore...
Allessi did get screwed,I will be supporting outside my country this year. Holding grudges is what takes greatness down. Go Aussies!!!!
Alessi is an out of shape punk and cannot win even when Dungey emptys his tank on the ground. Yeah I can see him on that sand track in Europe with his head shaking and tongue hanging out at the 15 min mark in the second moto. The only reason Mike is 2nd is because everyone is hurt and he could not carry Barcias boots let alone race with him.
This is about MX ! Its totally about results and when it goes to MXON it is about results and charactor read (sportsmanship). Facts and records say that Barcia has won more than MA. They also say Barcia did MUCH better on a 450 than MA when MA had been on one for years. RD and all in the know also know Barcia has been riding a 450 a lot and has improved since last year. My opionion also says that Barcia fades a LOT less than MA and gives it 100% to the finish line. MA's charactor and drama are a black eye too most coaches and handlers and those who have raced against him tend to not respect or like him for a teammate.
MA did not get screwed at all- his reputation and results were created by him and him alone.
Decosters reputation was also created by his own good choices and hard work, you can call him what you want but he has chosen the winning team more than any man on earth, I don't worship him but simply respect his credintauls and wisdom and happen to agree with him. A much stronger argument could be made for Tomac and RV than MA.
Some of you guys complaining about Barcia and wanting Alessi are insane.. One guy even said Barcia is not consistant.. What?? Isnt Barcia second in the points chase in the tough 250 class????? Boy some people shouldnt comment at all. Barcia will do fine, Bagget is more of a worry to me.. Not that he isnt great, he didnt do well at the race last year, and has a tough group of 250 Euros ahead of him to beat. Including Herlings.. Look at the competetion that Barcia will be scored against in the Open class, he will do just fine.. He has had a better season than Tomac, and is a better sand rider than Tomac..
@canadianmxfan, you say these decisions shouldnt be made on emotions?? Sounds like that is how all you comments have been made, emotions..You saying "Go home Roger, your not even American" and YOU are a Canadian it seems, so maybe YOU can stay out of it. Roger Decoster has a son in the US Military who fought in Afghanastan, and Roger has been an American citizen for over 30 years, he has every right to run this team, so maybe you shouldnt let Your emotions cloud your decision. And Alessi is way more inconsistant this year than Barcia..
I can't find fault with DeCoster's picks but it doesn't seem fair for one man to make such a decision. They should use an objective point system like the Ryder Cup. The top three in points accumulated over the SX and MX seasons say through September 1st would automatically go. You'd have a couple of alternates of course to deal with any injury issues.
I agree there should be a system in place. Top 2 450 riders go and top lites rider goes- PERIOD. This will stop emotions and feelings from being involved in the pick. It motivates the riders to step it up as well. This is FAIR and would field the best team as they would be picking the best riders at their peak. Roger "The Belgium" may have 439 wins and be many people's hero but he is still human and can make mistakes. I believe he made a big mistake by not picking 800. Great result today for BAM BAM at Southwick in the SAND BTW. The only hope I have is that BAM BAM does not live up to his nickname and take out riders making the USA look bad. Winning is very important but I am more concerned with the representation of the USA than winning. Some people may want to win at all costs. I guess Roger feels that way.
barcia rips on a 4fitty. I think alessi should have gone, but ill go with bam bam over tomac in the open class.
euro's look fast against other euro's I think we will be fine. look how well roczen and musquin are doing against these guys, herlings is a bad dude but he may not look that bad racing against bagget regardless of the terrain and i would hardly hold baggets year last year against him he looks way better and is after some redemption
not sure alessi would be agressive enough to take it. Im an 800 fan, but its gonna be hard to beat Barcia on a 450.
Consistency is key in MXDN and 800 has been very consistent...even if 2nd. Barcia is a question mark. We need consistency. We can only drop the lowest moto and with Baggett racing he is super fast but will he be the moto we need to drop? I will get up at 3 am to watch it live like I always do anyway. Cant get enough moto. Go USA!
I don't believe Roger had an ax to grind with Alessi. Overall, RD was so far ahead of Alessi in most races, except the last few, that it made much more sense to pick Barcia who has been far more consistently up near the race winners in speed. If Alessi was consistently only a few seconds behind RD, then he would have been an easy pick, but Dungey was smoking everyone most of the time. Feel sorry for the rest of the world with this team choice!
just ask yoursel. If Barcia and Alessi were to race each other, who would win? Just wait for a sign of the lap times, I bet Barcia's average lap beats Alessi's.
It is a pretty solid line up this year. definitley a slap in the face for Alessi though. It's been his best year in motocross and hes been finishing on the podium just about every race not to mention he beat out dungey who will no doubt be the fastest guy at mxon
We have the best system posible for choosing MXON teams. We have the ability to choose the absolute best racers for the job. Barcia has been the 3rd best with clearly the second best skills on a 450. Baggat has been the best 250 guy and RD has been the best 450. This is based on results, speed, and wins along with good team skills and reputation. We also have a huge advantage wit 2 fantastic backups available if needed in RV and ET. The team is solid and the stats back this up, again the team was chosen by the proper guys and not fans.
I like what speed wheelie said because when Barcia went to the 450s last year he easily beat MA
You know, i have really started liking MA more this year, but I'm not about to sit here and distort the facts. The only reason he is second in points is because the 450 class is missing some very key riders. He is at best the fastest of the rest. Barcia is plain and simple Faster than MA. Barcia is the future of the 450s (along with DW15 and alot of other 250 guys that will move up and win races and championships) Dungey was picked to ride a 450 in 2009 as captain after coming off 250, so whats the big deal. You send your fastest available riders and it just doesnt include MA. I have respect for MA and he is a good rider, just not as good as others that are available. sorry. There is no rule that says you have to send the 2nd place 450 guy.
What's with all the DeCoster bashing? "The Man" has made the right choices since before some of the disrespectful punks on here were born. He made the right choice this time too.
Barcia is a far better, more consistent rider than Alessi. Have you already forgotten that Barcia held off Dungey for all but the last lap last year at Unadilla in his FIRST EVER ride on a 450? Also, the MX3 class is the OPEN class. While all the riders race 450's, there is no requirement or even unwritten rule that says that rider has to come from the 450 class.
As far as Alessi is concerned, there is nothing Team USA could gain by having him pull his back-and-forth blocking tactics on Carioli and Herlings. Having him stick his leg out at the start to try to block a Euro from getting the holeshot would just be an embarrassment. Barcia will do just fine. In fact, he will make us proud. Something nobody would ever expect of Alessi. And Roger DeCoster, a 5-time 500cc World Motocross Champion (back when that actually meant something) surely doesn't need Tony Alessi (a 250cc Intermediate local rider in his prime) arguing with him about strategy (like he did when Alessi was at Suzuki and KTM). For those that disagree with DeCoster's choice, fine. Express your opinions. But unless you've accomplished as much as "The Man" as a racer, or done as much for the sport or Team USA, don't be disrespectful. Douchebags.
There's something really wrong with our sport when you choose two MX2 guys to represent the US. They need to get rid of this sandbagging crap. I want to see the best riders race the best riders. Alessi moved up, he's in the big boy class and he got shafted on this one.
But dare I say.. noone has mentioned that rider who dominated the field in the first two races. I even saw someone write, "Alessi is the only rider to beat Dungey this year".. did we so quickly forget. I'm slightly afraid to mention his name, here but I'll do it.. I think he went by "bubba" or James Stewart. #7 on a suzuki bike. He's black, remember that guy?
Anyone know, we he consulted?
People have their favorites and that is fine. But to say that Barcia will represent America better than Alessi is a stretch. Wasn't this the same guy who turned an entire arena against him in Europe last winter? I would have liked to see Mike get the shot.
Alessi and James are headcases. Take them out of their element and they will most likely fail. Great picks.