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Team USA Wins Second-Straight Quadcross of Nations in Denmark
Wienen, Rastrelli and Brown Victorious After Battling Intense Conditions

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (October 2, 2018) – The 2018 Quadcross of Nations (QXoN) took place on September 22 and 23 in Slagelse, Denmark. After an intense battle challenging conditions, Team USA rose to the occasion, winning the world championship for the second-straight time in our nation’s history.

Team members included six-time ATVMX Champion Chad Wienen and title contenders Thomas Brown and Jeffrey Rastrelli – all top competitors in the U.S.-based ATV Motocross National Championship series. The team was led by professional motor specialist, Mark Baldwin, who served as the trio’s Team Manager. On Saturday, Brown wearing the #1 took the top spot in his qualifying race, while Wienen also earned the top spot in his qualifying race. Rastrelli would take part in the second qualifying race, finishing runner up behind Latvia’s Edgar Mengelis. 

Thomas Brown said, “This year’s event was awesome and far from easy. We had a lot of challenges and had to work hard in every moto. The tracks ruts were so much deeper than anything I’ve ever seen before. I changed from my normal race set up to my CST 21in front and 20in rear to get my quad working awesome. We all had to work as a team to make this win happen. I have to give props to Chad and Jeffery for their awesome riding, Mark and Harv for leading us and keeping us in line, and the Mechanics for working as a team to keep all three bikes going. Thanks to all the fans across the world for supporting Team USA!”

On Sunday, the three-man team kicked off the first moto with Brown and Rastrelli. As the gate dropped Rastrelli had a decent jump, while Brown followed in about sixth place. Brown would eventually work his way into the lead but was plagued by a snapped chain and unable to finish the moto. Rastrelli had made the move into second and was pressuring the leader, however, he was unable to make the pass and finished the moto second.

Wienen and Rastrelli took part in the second moto of the day where Wienen made the pass for the lead early in the moto. The sandy conditions were creating deep ruts throughout the track, which worked in Rastrelli’s favor as other riders were getting caught up in them. Rastrelli made the passes and worked his way up to second place. Team USA was able to take finish 1-2 in the second moto.

In the third and final moto, Brown lined up on the first row while Wienen was back on the second row. After running back in fifth and seventh place positions, Wienen made the move up to second while Brown moved through the pack aggressively. With about three laps remaining, the leader snapped a chain and Wienen made the pass into first. Brown would move into the second place position after several riders found themselves stuck in the deep sandy ruts. Wienen took the moto win followed by Brown in second. 

After their 27^th moto finish score was thrown out, Team USA had earned 8 points taking home their second-straight Quadcross of Nations World Championship.

“Coming to Denmark, not really knowing what to expect was an understatement. We had track conditions that we have never seen or ridden before. The team came together and strategically won this event,” said six-time ATVMX Champion Wienen. “We ran smaller tires than the rest of the competitors that without our smart line choices and great mechanic work we would have never been able to win our second straight Quadcross Of Nations. My Yamaha was working so well and almost made it easy on me to navigate this deep track. Thank you to everyone involved in TEAM USA.”  

For nearly eleven years the QXoN has been hosted in a different country annually. This unique event spans two days of grueling race conditions held rain or shine. Countries are represented by teams of riders, making this event the most prestigious ATV Motocross team event in the world – it is the Olympics of ATVMX racing. This year 18 different countries sent their best riders to compete for the event win.

“Coming into the event I wasn't sure what to expect,” said Rastrelli. “It was an eye opener to see how fast some of these riders are from countries all over the world. I was the rookie on the team this year. However, I did my best to not show it and placed with two 2nd place scores. I'm very proud of the whole crew not only at Team USA but Baldwin Motorsports as well.”

“This was truly a team effort,” said Team Manager Mark Baldwin. “The deep sand is not something the guys are used to and we struggled with set up all day. However, we never gave up and that's what it takes to beat the world. I'm so proud of everyone that was involved and look forward to defending our title in 2019 in Germany.” 

AMA Representative Harv Whipple said, “It is overwhelming to see so many countries compete together at once. In all 20 federations entered the event with the AMA coming out on top for the 2nd straight year. To say it wasn't easy would be an understatement. These athletes and their supporting staff are incredible on and off the track and very respectable AMA members. I'm happy for the win but even happier I get to bring them home safely, that's a win, win in my book.” 

Team USA is making plans to defend their second title at the 2019 QXoN to be held in Germany. For more information on the QXoN event, visit the website HERE. Join the conversation on the team’s Facebook page and follow the official Instagram. 

For more information on the ATV Motocross National Championship, visit the series official website at www.atvmotocross.com or call (304) 284-0101. Join the conversation on the series social media channels, along with receiving the most up-to-date news and exclusive content.

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About the ATV Motocross National Championship:

The ATV Motocross National Championship presented by CST Tires, an AMA National Championship, is the nation's premier amateur and professional ATV motocross series, hosted at top motocross facilities nationwide. The 10-round AMA Pro and 8-round amateur series features the Nation's best racers, teams and sponsors, and is America's largest and longest-running ATV national motocross program. Since 1985, the series continues to expand and produce top talent from the amateur ranks, while premiering the professional class. For more information, please visit www.atvmotocross.com.  

About the American Motorcyclist Association:

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world's largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders' interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com. Not a member? Join the AMA today: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/membership/join.