It’s official: Eli Tomac, Justin Barcia and Aaron Plessinger will represent Team USA at this year’s Motocross of Nations.

There’s no surprises on the list, as all three were considered consensus picks ahead of Saturday’s announcement at Unadilla. Tomac and Plessinger both lead their respective point standings in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross series and Barcia has been the second-best American in the 450 Class this summer. With a strong team onboard, the U.S. will be one of the favorites for this year’s event, which will take place on home soil at RedBud.

The goal for Team USA is to dethrone France, the four-time reigning champions of this event. That job arguably got easier this week after the French federation elected to leave Marvin Musquin off the team. The U.S. last hoisted the Chamberlain Trophy in 2011 and is coming off last year’s disappointing ninth-place finish.

Tomac, who will race the MXGP Class, will represent the stars and stripes for the third time in his career. His last appearance at the Motocross of Nations was in 2014, when he helped the U.S. to a third-place finish.

“Having the opportunity to race [the MXoN] and represent your country in front of the world stage is a feeling like no other,” Tomac said. “And this year with it being at RedBud it’s going to be next level for the entire event, and fans will be going absolutely bonkers. Myself, Justin and Aaron will be ready for the battle, and it’s a track that suits our riding style. I have a really good feeling this is the year the USA gets the Chamberlain Trophy back in hand.”

Plessinger, the MX2 pick, is the only first-time member of Team USA. He went 1-1 at RedBud last month when the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross series raced there.

“Being selected to race for the U.S. is something I always dreamed of since I decided to make this my career,” Plessinger said. “I’m so excited to get to represent my country and race alongside two guys I really look up to in Eli and Justin. With [the MXoN] being in the U.S. it couldn’t have been a more perfect year because, if you know me, you know that repping the red, white, and blue is a part of my lifestyle! I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing on the track because it’s been working so far. I can’t wait to see all the fans and hopefully keep that trophy here in the States!”

Barcia rounds out the team as the Open Class selection. This will be his fourth appearance for Team USA, having previously competed in 2012, 2013 and 2015. In 2015, Barcia’s 1-3 finishes helped the U.S. capture second place behind France in the event.

“To be chosen for the MXoN is an honor,” Barcia said. “I’ve gone there in the past and always have done really well in my class. I thrive in that atmosphere and to be chosen again just shows that I’m getting back in my stride. Going to RedBud is really cool. The fans there for the Pro Motocross races are crazy, so I can only imagine how they’re going to be this year. It’s going to be absolutely insane. I know we have a really solid team this year and it’s definitely time to put the U.S. back on top. We’ve been chasing it for a few years now and we’ve come up short a lot, so it’s definitely do or die now that we’re on home soil. We’re going there to get that trophy back. I can’t wait!”

This year’s Motocross of Nations will take place October 6-7.

(Story from ProMotocross.com)