Bridgestone-Shod Team USA Wins 2006 Fox Motocross Of Nations

Nashville, Tenn. – Bridgestone congratulates Team USA for winning the 2006 Fox Motocross of Nations (MXoN) for the second year in a row by beating the top 19 qualifying motocross teams from around the world last Sunday in Matterley Basin, England. Located near Winchester, England, the MXoN challenges the finest motocross riders against their international counterparts in three combined motos: MX1 and MX2, MX 2 and Open, and MX 1 and Open. The Motocross of Nations, first established in 1947, is the oldest running FIM Motocross competition. The 2006 event marks Team USA’s 17th win.

Coached by five time motocross champion Roger De Coster, Team USA is composed of Factory Suzuki Ivan Tedesco who joined late to replace injured team captain Ricky Carmichael, Factory Kawasaki’s James Stewart and Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto.  Together they achieved the best overall score of 15 points with three second place finishes, a third a sixth a ninth and acquiring a best 5 of 6 moto finishes winning total.

While Stewart and Villopoto were competing in this event for the first time, Tedesco had previous experience competing for Team USA last year when he joined Ricky Carmichael and Kevin Windham to take the overall victory in France.   At 18 years old, Villopoto has had an impressive rookie season in the AMA Motocross Lites division, winning the 2006 Championship.  Riding a Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki KXF250, Villopoto achieved the overall victory in the MX2 class.

“Bridgestone heartily congratulates Team USA,” said Bob Graham, Motorcycle Product Manager, Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC.  “The Motocross of Nations brings out the best motocross riders from around the world, where national pride is on the line. Team USA proved they have exceptional riding skills while demonstrating the competitiveness of Bridgestone’s off-road tire technology. Without question, Bridgestone tires are race-proven and the tire of choice for champions in the U.S. and the world.”

Bridgestone manufactures the M201/M202 branded tires for soft terrain, M401/M402 for intermediate terrain, and M601/M602 for hard terrain. For more information about Bridgestone dirt tires, go to www.motorcycle-karttires.com.

About Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC
Nashville-based Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BFNT develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and associate and private brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in North America.