AMA Announces Team USA Riders for 2009 Motocross of Nations

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce the members of AMA Team USA for the 2009 Motocross of Nations. Ivan Tedesco, Ryan Dungey and Jake Weimer will race for American pride as AMA Team USA goes for its 20th Motocross of Nations victory at the Autodromo Daniel Bonara in Franciacorta, Italy, this Oct. 4-5.

"We're thrilled with the talent on AMA Team USA this year," said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. "Sharp and ready thanks to a summer of doing battle in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championships, these riders are performing at the peak of their abilities, and we're honored that they have agreed to represent the United States and the AMA at this prestigious event."

Said AMA Team USA Manager Roger DeCoster: "We feel confident that we have the right three riders for Team USA. This is one of those years when it's not easy to pick the team. At the start, it seemed pretty obvious, but then came injuries. We spent a lot of time talking among the AMA, with Davey Coombs of MX Sports, and even Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart weighed in on the final choice. With the support we have in place, we feel these three riders can do the job."

Dungey will race the MX1 class, which features 450cc four-stroke machinery. Weimer will compete in the MX2 class, which features 250cc four-stroke motorcycles. Tedesco will race the MX3 class, the open class.

Ivan Tedesco, who races for Honda Red Bull Racing, also rode for AMA Team USA when it won the Motocross of Nations in 2005 and 2006. Tedesco is currently fourth in points in the 450 class in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championships.

"It's an absolute honor to be chosen to be a part of Team USA to represent America at the 2009 MX of Nations," Tedesco said. "Having the opportunity to represent your country on the world stage and race against some of the best motocross racers from countries right across the globe is something every rider can only ever dream of doing. I couldn't be happier to have this opportunity again in 2009.

"This will be my third time racing for Team USA,'' Tedesco added. "I'm definitely going to draw strength from my previous experiences racing at this international level to help Team USA win."

Ryan Dungey, who races for Rockstar Makita Suzuki, will be competing on AMA Team USA for the first time in his career. Dungey is currently tied for the lead in the 250 class in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championships.

Said Dungey: "Getting invited to represent the USA for this year's Motocross of Nations is literally a dream come true. Ever since I was a little guy growing up in Minnesota, I have dreamed of one day representing my country for our team. I think with Ivan and Jake, we'll have a really strong team, and I'm looking forward to making my outdoor debut on an RMZ450. After the outdoor season wraps up, I'll probably head out to California and begin testing with our Rockstar Makita Suzuki team to get things dialed in."

This also will be the first time on AMA Team USA for Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Jake Weimer. Weimer is coming off a solid AMA Supercross season where he finished second in Supercross Lites West behind Dungey. He is currently fifth in points in the 250 class in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championships.

"It's a huge privilege to represent the USA and be a part of the Motocross of Nations," Weimer said. "I'm super excited about this. I've been to Italy to race a Supercross in 2007, so it will be cool to go back and race for Team USA. Growing up and watching the Motocross of Nations and seeing it on video, it's such an honor to be picked. This is definitely something that I think every kid racing would want to be a part of."

The Motocross of Nations is one of the most prestigious motocross races in the world. It features national teams competing for a combined score to determine the overall championship-winning team. The event emerged in post-war Europe in 1947 and has run uninterrupted since. The United States is the all-time leader in Motocross of Nations overall victories with 19. Great Britain is second with 16.

The area of Franciacorta is between the city of Brescia, Lake Iseo and the border with the Pianura Padana. Brescia is the closest large city to the track and also boasts some motorsports history, as it played host to the first automobile GP in Italy and the historic Mille Miglia. The last time the Motocross of Nations ran on Italian soil was at Maggiora in 1986.

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycling organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.