Haiden Deegan, Justin Cooper OUT for 2026 Motocross of Nations as Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing Withdraws From Event
With injuries, team changes, results, and more coming into play, it has been unclear who will compete for Team USA at this year's Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in France in early October.
Recently, it sounded like we would see a potential lineup of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing duo of Haiden Deegan and Justin Cooper on YZ450F machines with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Levi Kitchen racing the 250cc division.
However, things have changed, as the Yamaha squad was asking for a hefty sum of money to send several bikes overseas.
The other day, Steve Matthes posted the following report on the potential lineup, noting it might be Kitchen, Garrett Marchbanks, and Chance Hymas to complete the Team USA roster.
Kitchen, Marchbanks and Hymas for MXDN? Stay tuned, doesn’t sound like AMA will be able to pay for the Star bikes. Nothing final yet…
— Steve Matthes (@pulpmx) August 22, 2026
While that lineup might not be the exact lineup, one thing is now certain: Team USA will NOT have a single Star Yamaha rider on the team. Yamaha announced this morning the that the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team has withdrawn from this year's MXoN event. Again, the lineup might still be up in the air, but it will not include a Star bike.
This takes Justin Cooper and Haiden Deegan's names off the list of potential riders.
Here is the official statement from Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing to Withdraw from Consideration for 2026 MXoN
Marietta, GA —Due to the demanding schedule of the SMX series, and after factoring in the associated travel and support costs, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing and Yamaha Motor USA have collectively decided to withdraw both its 250 and 450 teams from consideration in participating in the upcoming 2026 MXoN in Ernée, France.
"After numerous discussions between the team principals and Yamaha management, both Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing and Yamaha Motor USA have collectively made the difficult decision to step back from this year’s MXoN competition,” said Jim Roach, Yamaha Racing Manager.
“We’re choosing to prioritize the health and safety of our riders, which includes affording them, and the entire team, a period of time to recover from the 2026 season. When you factor in the logistical challenges and costs of shipping and converting bikes to FIM spec, the team respectfully wants to stay focused on its continued preparation for the upcoming 2027 SMX season.”
The team expresses its gratitude to the AMA for consideration, and appreciates its fans, partners, and the broader moto community for their understanding and support.
