Team USA heads to Red Bull FIM MXoN
By Infront Moto Racing on 21st Sep 09
FUNCHAL (PORTUGAL), 20 September 2009 Two weeks ahead of the eagerly awaited Red Bull FIM Motocross of Nations, happening at Franciacorta, Italy, on the October 4 weekend, defending Champion Team USA is ready to defend the Chamberlain Trophy with a new line up.
The event will makeits comeback into Italy where it was last held in 1986. At that time Team USAwith Bailey, O'Mara and Johnson took a stunning victory ahead of Great Britainand Italy. This year's line up includes debutants Dungey (MX1) and Weimer (MX2)and MXoN expert Tedesco (Open).
The Team USA trio:Dungey, Weimer, Tedesco (© Steve Cox)
Dungey and Weimer arevery excited about the event while Tedesco is back tobusiness.
DUNGEY: To be able torepresent Team USA at this year's event is an honor and something I am reallylooking forward to. Being invited to compete for Team USA is a dream come true.Ever since I was a little kid I have dreamt of someday representing my country.I went to the MXoN a few years ago at Budds Creek. Going to that race confirmedthat I someday wanted to be a part of it.
WEIMER: It is a very bighonor to be able to race for my country! I am very excited and I look forward toit. I did not think about it until I was told I was possibly going to be chosen.It will be very important for me to do well and perform to mybest!
TEDESCO: My firstparticipation in the MXoN was in Ernee, France, in 2005. The first time I racedthe event it was the most memorable race of my career. I did not know what toexpect going over there and the race was way bigger than I ever expected. Thefans are crazy over there! I did not realize how much pressure there is being onteam USA, you are expected to win and luckily we pulled it off for ourcountry.
Weimer is excitedabout his first time at the Red Bull FIM MXoN
Experience matters andfor sure Tedesco will be a key member of Team USA this year among MXoN debutantsDungey and Weimer.
DUNGEY: I think my experiencethese past few years racing in the US has prepared me pretty well for Italy. Ilook forward to racing some of the world's best on October 3 and 4. I knowcompeting at the MXoN is really important not only to me and my team mates, butour country as a whole. I will line up in Italy and give my best as I do at allthe other Supercross and Motocross races in the States.
WEIMER: I believe that we areall racers and when the gate drops I will just ride my motorcycle the best I canbut it will be a little different than what I am used to. I have been to Italyone time in 2007 and raced a Supercross. I will also have a little differentmentality but as far as commitment I always give my best every time I race, nomatter what.
TEDESCO: I think it isimportant to have someone in the team that has experience with the event. It isa unique race and there is a lot of pressure that comes with being on team USA.I think I will have some good advices for the other guys, Ricky Carmichaelreally helped me out the first year I did the race because he had previousexperience with the event. I think the best advice I can give my teammates is togive ourselves a chance and not do nothing stupid. We need to be confident thatwe are the team to beat but at the same time it is not going to be easy and wecannot afford to crash or be in the back of the pack off thestart.
Tedesco will share hisexperience with young guns Dungey and Weimer
TeamUSA is really motivated to win again this year but they reckon it is going to betough out there in Franciacorta.
DUNGEY: There are so manygood riders from all over the world that I do not think any country can becounted out at this point.
WEIMER: I am not 100% surebut I know all the riders on Australia and they will be good also I know Italyand they will be strong as well as Germany. Basically I think there will be alot of strong teams.
TEDESCO: I think Australia andItaly will be the toughest teams to beat. Australia has the US 450 Champ ontheir team and Italy has the World MX1 Champ on their team. It is not going bean easy task to win the overall but I feel we have the best all around team. Nowwe just need to go and show it.
Dungey wants to winthe Red Bull FIM MXoN first time out
Oneof Team America's main characteristics is their strong motivation and ambition.They are heading to Italy to win.
DUNGEY: I think we have builta good team this year and I think we are all going over to Italy with theintention of bringing home the cup to the US.
WEIMER: I think we have agood shot at winning. It is not going to be easy by any means but I think we arecapable.
TEDESCO: I think we have agood shot at winning the overall. It is a tough race and all three of us need tohave a good day. If we ride up to our potential we will definitely be in therunning for the overall.