FreestyleXtreme Magazine Issue 9 | Page 78

£ As the winningest nation in the history of the event (22
wins in total), Team USA are always a strong favourite at
the Motocross of Nations. This year’s team consisted of
Justin Barcia, along with young guns Cooper Webb and
Jeremy Martin.
In the early stages of the event, the Americans looked
like they were going to be taking the Chamberlain Cup
back across the pond after a four-year drought. The
last time USA held the Chamberlain Cup was in 2011,
after Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey and Blake Baggett
took home the glory. Some uncharacteristic bad starts
from both Team USA riders in the final moto put their
title hopes in serious jeopardy. Barcia put on a heroic
charge to work his way through the pack to third place,
but sadly for America, it wasn’t enough to beat the home
nation this time, and USA would have to settle for a still
very respectable second place.
“Today was my favourite type of racing; aggressive and
clean. It is a challenging weekend. I always come to this
race to give 100% heart and to never give up.

© RAY ARCHER/MONSTER ENERGY

We came up a little short and France didn’t let up. I had
a bad jump [out of the gate] in the last moto and maybe
things would have been a little different with a better
start. I would have loved to have raced with Romain and
everyone up front. I caught them towards the end but ran
out of time. The track was a lot of fun although it took
me some time to get warmed up through the weekend
and the traction was challenging. All in all I’m really
proud of the whole team. I wish we could have won but
we did our best.” - Justin Barcia, Yamaha

£ Cooper Webb:

“I thought in Glen Helen (last

© RAY ARCHER/MONSTER ENERGY

© JAANUS REE/RED BULL CONTENT POOL

week’s Monster Energy U.S.
GP) the fans were good there
but this was a whole new level.
I knew when Romain was on
me, for sure! It was extreme and
you had to stay calm and push
it aside but it was hard when
everybody was so loud and
behind their team.”