Aussie rising star Tye Simmonds would be honoured to represent Australia at the MXoN in France. Image: Hoppenworld.com.

American-based Aussie Tye Simmonds says he’d be honoured to represent Australia at this year’s Motocross of Nations in France this September if selected by Motorcycling Australia.

At just 19 years of age, Simmonds has already been mentioned as a potential candidate for the MX2/Lites ride on the 250F for Team Australia, and he told MotoOnline.com.au this week that he’s be more than willing to race for his country of the opportunity arose.

“It’s not really my decision, something that’s up to the selectors, but you know, both 450 rides would have to go to Reedy and Metty cos they’re absolutely flying,” Simmonds said.

“Australia’s definitely going to have a good team this year, so for me to ride a Lites bike would be awesome and something that’s always been my dream.”

One concern many have had for Simmonds is his sheer size despite his age, but considering he’s campaigning a 350 SX-F for JDR/J-Star/KTM in the U.S. outdoors this season, it wouldn’t be impossible for him to step back to a 250F with the advantages of racing lengthy motos all season against the world’s best in the AMA.

Simmonds would almost be guaranteed top level equipment considering JDR’s close ties with KTM, a factor that would assist him in making the most of an MX2 ride for Team Australia.

“I am definitely pretty big when you consider guys like [Ken] Roczen and [Jeffrey] Herlings will be on the 250s and they’d have a bit of a weight advantage, but I think it would be pretty cool,” Simmonds added.

“I fit the role with my age, but when that road comes we’ll deal with it. Until then, we’ve got the motocross series to get through here and I hope to get through uninjured.

“If I’m lucky enough to get selected then we’ll do it for sure. I rode PJ [Larsen’s] 250 a while back and those things are still good to ride and I didn’t mind it at all. So, like I said, we’ll just deal with that when and if it comes around.”

Other possible leading MX2 riders for Team Australia include last year’s representative Dean Ferris, who is riding for Monster Energy Kawasaki in the Pro Open class of the MX Nationals in 2011, or Serco Yoshimura Yamaha’s national Lites number two Kirk Gibbs.