Legend retires: Roger De Coster leaves Team USA

There are careers – and there's Roger De Coster. Five world championship titles on the track. 25 titles as a team manager. An era that shaped motocross in the USA like no other personality. After 44 years, “The Man” is now stepping down as Team Manager of Team USA at the Motocross of Nations.

A decision with symbolic significance – and a turning point for motorsport as a whole.

An architect of success

De Coster first took over the US team in 1981—a time when European riders still set the pace. Under his leadership, Team USA developed into a dominant force on the world stage: 21 wins at the MXoN, four more at the Trophee des Nations.

He was at the track as a manager 36 times. 36 times with the aim of getting the best out of his drivers. With meticulous preparation, tactical flair, and the absolute will to win.

His recipe for success? Trust, team spirit – and a flair for champions.

“I wanted our sport to grow”

Roger De Coster was never just a manager. He was a missionary, a motivator, and a mentor. "I wanted our sport to become bigger, more respected, more global," he says in retrospect. That's why he traveled the world during his playing days, competing in Argentina, Brazil, and Australia. He finally found his sporting home in the USA.

For him, the Motocross of Nations was never just a race – it was the race of the year. A place where nations became teams. Where rivals grew together. And where dreams came true—or shattered.

The legacy remains – even without him in the box

With De Coster's withdrawal, the AMA itself will now take over team management – ​​following the model of many European nations. AMA Racing Director Mike Pelletier will set up and manage the US team together with the team managers of the respective manufacturers.

Pelletier sums it up: “No one can replace Roger – and that is not our goal.”
Instead, the new structure is intended to better pool the wealth of experience of manufacturers and drivers – and thus pave the way for a new era.

Recognition from all camps

The reactions to De Coster’s departure are clear – and full of respect:

• Davey Coombs, President of MX Sports Pro Racing, calls him “motocross’s most important global ambassador.”
• Dave Prater, Vice President of Feld Motor Sports, praises his “unmatched influence” and “inspirational leadership.”
• The AMA thanks “for decades of leadership, passion and titles.”

A man who shaped drivers – and inspired entire generations.

A CV like a history book

Even as an active player, Roger De Coster was an exceptional figure:

• 5× 500cc Motocross World Champion
• 4× Trans-AMA Champion
• 6× winner of the MXON with Belgium
• 10× Trophee des Nations with Belgium
• Gold medal at the International Six Days Trial
• Numerous Belgian championship titles – also in trials

At the latest with his inclusion in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame (1999) and the award as Hall of Fame Legend (2011) It became clear: De Coster is more than a champion. It is a monument.

KTM, coaching and no break in sight

Anyone who thinks that De Coster is completely retiring from the sport is mistaken. He remains KTM North America Motorsport Director – a role in which he continues to work with talent, mentor teams, and help shape the strategic direction of factory racing. His office may be changing. Certainly not his passion.

A chapter ends. The story lives on.

Roger De Coster not only shaped US motocross – he co-invented it, shaped it, and kept it at the top of the world for decades. His retirement as team manager is more than a change of personnel. It's the end of a chapter filled with gold, glory, and countless goosebumps-inducing moments.

And yet De Coster remains a part of the sport. As a mentor. As a symbol. And as a living legend.