The Australians have announced their line-up for this year’s annual Motocross of Nations event in the United States next month.
For 2022, the all-Honda MXstore Team Australia will be Mitch Evans (MX1), Hunter Lawrence (MX2) and Jett Lawrence (Open Class).
This will be the first time the Lawrence brothers have competed together for Australia (Hunter raced MX2 at the 2018 and 2017 events) in the MXoN and, significantly, it will be the first appearance for Jett Lawrence aboard a 450cc machine in the Open Class at this level. Evans raced in the Open Class in 2018 and MX2 in 2016.
It will also signal Australia’s return to the MXoN after missing in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of the event in 2020 for the same reasons.
After garnering the support of MXstore for their 2022 campaign, Team Australia is set to hit the famous Red Bud location in Michigan, with Michael Byrne in the role of team manager and with former long-time team manager Gary Benn in the role of assistant manager/mentor.
All three MXoN riders will arrive in Michigan in terrific form. Jett Lawrence is currently leading the AMA Pro Motocross 250 Class with brother Hunter in second place, while Evans is currently 10th in the MXGP World Championship, after securing multiple top-10 results in season ’22.
Peter Doyle, CEO, Motorcycling Australia, said: “If you’re going to miss a couple of Motocross of Nations events, then this is the best way to announce your return! This is a stand-out team with talented riders ready to give their all for their country.
“Jett and Hunter racing in the USA, at a track they are familiar with, is a big advantage and with Mitch in MX1, we think this trio are a red-hot chance to bring home our first ever MXoN title.
“On behalf of MA and the wider motorcycling community in Australia, I’d like to thank American Honda Corporation and Honda Australia for their help and for solving our always-present logistic and support issues.
“Thanks also goes to MXstore for their support and we all wish Team Australia our very best!”
Meanwhile, Japan also named its three-rider squad overnight.
Kainosuke Oshiro will head the Japanese team in the MXGP class. The 22-year-old was the champion in all of the Japan MX2 class last season and later switched to MX1 for this year and is the most powerful rider in Japan with his first victory last month.
Jo Shimoda will participate in MX2, which is an important position as an ace. The 20-year-old Shimoda, has two wins in the AMA MX250.
Kota Toriyabe will race in the Open category. The 24-year-old is the oldest rider on the team and has improved his skills by competing in the Australian Championships and is now in contention for the top spot at All Japan MX2.
In the past, Japan’s best results were 6th place in France in 2000 and Belgium in 2003, with the team looking to put in another strong performance this time around in America.
Team Manager is former Suzuki Factory rider and JMX race director Takateru Atsuta, who is the brother of Yoshitaka Atsuta, who raced in MXGP from 2002 to 2005.
The 2022 Motocross of Nations will take place at Red Bud, Michigan, USA September 22-24, 2022.
Photo courtesy Honda
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