Chance Hymas’ return to the Motocross of Nations will have to wait another year after a wrist injury forced the young Honda rider out of Team USA’s 2026 lineup. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Julien Beaumer has been called up as his replacement for the October 2-4 event in Ernée, France. Hymas suffered the injury during Friday’s free practice at the SMX World Championship finale at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Ridgedale, Missouri. After initially jamming his left wrist in a crash, further evaluation and a CT scan revealed small fractures in two wrist bones, along with concern about a ligament injury.
The injury is particularly frustrating for Hymas, who was originally selected to make his MXoN debut in the MXGP class after a strong finish to the Pro Motocross season. He scored a victory at Budds Creek and entered the SMX finale as one of the three riders selected to represent the United States alongside Cooper Webb and Levi Kitchen. Hymas also missed the 2024 Motocross of Nations because of injury, making the latest setback another disappointing blow to his international ambitions.
With Hymas ruled out, the American Motorcyclist Association moved quickly to name Beaumer as his replacement. The 19-year-old KTM rider will take over the MXGP-class assignment aboard a KTM 450 and join Webb and Kitchen on Team USA. Beaumer brings valuable 450 experience to the team after competing in the premier class during the 2026 season. His addition gives Team USA a completely different lineup than originally planned, with Webb competing in the Open class, Kitchen in MX2 and Beaumer in MXGP.
The 2026 Motocross of Nations will take place October 2-4 at Circuit Raymond Demy in Ernée, France. Team USA will be looking to improve on its runner-up finish from last year’s event.
