There is a lot of talk about Team USA at the moment, and rightly so. With all the other big hitters announced, Team The Netherlands, Team France, Team Australia and Team Germany, I think I speak for everyone when I say that we want Eli Tomac, Chase Sexton and Haiden Deegan, but we don’t always get what we want.

Of course, Aaron Plessinger is a World class rider and the second best American in the 450 class, but to pick him ahead of Tomac, would for me be a mistake. As nice a guy as Plessinger is, his stats at the MXoN haven’t been very good.

In 2018 Plessinger as the AMA 250 motocross champion, finished seventh overall in the MX2 class with 16-14 moto finishes. On that day, he did have some serious opposition, with Jorge Prado winning the class with 3-3 in the motos, Hunter Lawrence was second with 7-2, Dylan Ferrandis was third with 6-8, then Ben Watson, Jago Geerts and Martin Barr ahead of the Team USA rider. Behind him were Jess Pettis, Anthony Rodriguez and Hardi Roosiorg, not household names. He did lead the MX2 qualification race that year but ended up finishing 10th after a crash.

“Today was just weird. I’ve never seen RedBud like this ever in my life, and I’ve been coming here for a long time,” Aaron Plessinger said after the race. “It was very Euro-style.”

Plessinger came back in 2023 at Ernee, and finished ninth overall but again, the riders ahead were pretty damn good. Ken Roczen, Jorge Prado, Jett Lawrence, Romain Febvre, Jeremy Seewer, Tim Gajser, Alberto Forato and Jago Geerts, so hard to beat those guys and Plessinger did finish overall ahead of Calvin Vlaanderen, Ben Watson, and Pauls Jonass, and those guys are no joke.

Last year heading into Ernee, Plessinger was excited to get the opportunity again after his and the teams poor showing at RedBud in 2018, and prior to the event, he was motivated and excited.

“I've been waiting for this moment since I got to do it in 2018,” Plessinger said. “I need some redemption. 2018 wasn't really good for us. We had some struggles, but we get redemption now. I'm going to be wrapped in the #1, baby. I'm really ready to go. It's in France and it will be my first time out of North America. I’ve got two great teammates alongside of me and I think they're just as pumped up as I am. We all work very well together. We train together, ride together, so I think we're going to be ready and a force to be reckoned with.”

Unfortunately, despite a very strong opening moto, the Team USA rider, after his 5-18 results, and his team really struggling to defend the Chamberlain trophy was disappointed and complained about the tough Ernee circuit. He did however have huge respect for the way many of the riders could compete on this hard-pack circuit.

“I felt pretty good coming here and really good for today. I had 5th in the first moto and got a little tight but I’m not sure what happened second moto. I had a mid-pack start and just faded back about half-way. Not a good ending but after 32 races in a season I think we did alright. I cannot compare the track to anything. It was gnarly and these guys are gnarly for riding it that fast. It’s awesome to represent your country and a shame we could not get on the podium. It was my first time overseas; pretty wild. It means the world to me to represent America over here in France. We’ll go home, have a break and get ready for supercross.”

The 2024 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations field is so deep and the MXGP riders have all had very competative seasons, both in MXGP and MX2, I really think the way Plessinger has been able to cruise through the AMA 450 championship, not really being in the fight for the title, and pretty much all alone as the number three rider in the championship, he will be very surprised by the pace in this years event, even more so than at Ernee in 2023.

So, with all respect to a rider who seems like a great guy and very popular, I am not sure the selection of Aaron Plessinger will bring confidence to the always confident American team, or their supporters.

For me, Eli Tomac, if he wants to come, should be selected. Even if his results are not what we are used to, his presence would make the event as big as we are hoping. One final goodbye, to an event that was also not kind to him on occasions, but where he pretty much filled out his CV with all the titles, at that second RedBud MXoN, when Team USA once again, ruled the World. I know the European fans want him back, and as I said, if he wants to come, bring him, no matter what.