Team USA announce Brown out, Tedesco in.

It has been confirmed that the line-up for the American team at the 2005 Motocross of Nations (MXoN) has been changed.

Riders Ricky Carmichael and Kevin Windham remain on the team, but Mike Brown (#3) has been dropped and replaced by Ivan Tedesco (#30).

AMA Pro Racing MX/SX Series Manager Steve Whitelock made the announcement and said the change was made in consultation with the team.

"Over the past couple of weeks Ricky, Kevin and Roger (De Coster, Team Manager) had expressed some concerns to me. At Binghamton last Sunday we discussed it again," said Whitelock. "Obviously this is a very tough call to make but everyone agreed that we have to do what's in the best interest of the American effort."

Whitelock stated that he spoke to Brown about the situation at Binghamton on Sunday and then again Monday.

"Mike Brown is an accomplished rider and everyone appreciates the commitment he made to supporting the team," said Whitelock. "Ultimately, however, we have to send the team that has the greatest chance of success and that is what drove us to make this difficult decision."

After a strong start in the 2005 125cc AMA Motocross championship, Brown has now slipped to fifth in the points while Tedesco, a reigning Supercross champion, currently leads the series by 43-points from KTM's Mike Alessi.

The 2005 Motocross of Nations will be held on September 25, at Ernee, France.