Monster Energy Has Team USA’s Back at MXoN

Monster Energy’s Ricky Carmichael (Suzuki) leads Team USA, along with Monster-backed Tim Ferry (Kawasaki) & Ryan Villopoto (Pro Circuit/Kawasaki)

CORONA, Calif., (Sept. 19, 2007) – Monster Energy checks in this weekend as the official sponsor of Team USA in the 61st running of the Motocross Des Nations – pitting the top three motocross racers from 35 countries in team scoring race set to decide which nation fields the world’s best three-man motocross team.

Representing the Monster Energy-backed Team USA will be the winningest American motocross racer of all time, Monster Energy’s own Ricky Carmichael (Makita/Suzuki). Carmichael will be joined by former AMA 125 class supercross champion Tim Ferry (Monster Energy/Kawasaki) and two-time defending AMA Outdoor Nationals Lites class champion, Ryan Villopoto (Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki).

“This is the first time Monster Energy has been involved as the title sponsor of Team USA with the Motocross Des Nations and we’re all looking forward to this historic event’s return to the United States for the first time in 20 years,” said Monster spokesman Scott Sepkovic. “It was a banner year for Monster in motocross as our athletes won everything there was to win in ‘07 – the AMA Supercross championship (Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s James Stewart), World Supercross GP (Stewart), both AMA Supercross Lites titles with the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team (Villopoto/West, Ben Townley/ East), the Outdoor Nationals title (Monster Energy’s Grant Langston/Yamaha) and the Outdoor Nationals Lites title (Villopoto).

“So a win for Monster Energy/Team USA at the Des Nations this weekend would be an excellent exclamation point on what was a perfect year of pro motocross racing for Monster here in the United States.”

In addition to Team USA, Monster Energy will also be represented with the aforementioned Grant Langston (South Africa) and Ben Townley (New Zealand), along with Sebastien Pourcel (France).

In the history of the Motocross Des Nations, Monster Energy/Team USA has won more than any other nation – a total of 17 times, including being the defending champions from last year’s event at Matterly Basin, UK.

“There’s no better feeling in the world than standing on top of the podium representing the United States at the Des Nations,” said Carmichael, who was injured for the Des Nations last year, but led Monster Energy/Team USA to victory in Ernee, France in ‘05. “My experiences at that race have been some of the most memorable of my career and I’m glad Monster is on board with Team USA this year.”

For more information on this weekend’s Motocross Des Nations, link to: www.buddscreek.com