This Week in Powersports - The Week of January 9, 2023

RACING

Eli Tomac Grabs Dramatic Win at Monster Energy Supercross Opener - Jett Lawrence Captures 250SX Win at Anaheim 1 Supercross

From Feld Entertainment

Anaheim, Calif., (January 7, 2022) Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Eli Tomac took a wild and hard-fought victory at the opening round of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season, an event that also paid points as the opening round of the inaugural SuperMotocross World Championship series. After a tough battle through the pack, Red Bull KTM's Cooper Webb locked down second place inside a packed Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Southern California. After leading several laps late in the race, Team Honda HRC's Chase Sexton took the third spot on the podium in this historical 50th year of Supercross racing. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Team Honda HRC's Jett Lawrence nabbed the opening win with a wire-to-wire win.

Team Honda HRC's Colt Nichols grabbed the holeshot of the 450SX Class Main Event but Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing's Justin Barcia took over the top spot just two corners into the race. Tomac and Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki's Ken Roczen were right behind, battling hard and flying side-by-side down three consecutive rhythm sections. Tomac broke free of Roczen, then took the lead over the bridge jump three and a half minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap race.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Malcolm Stewart closed up to Roczen's rear tire as Barcia got sideways in a rhythm lane and crashed off the track. Barcia's crash moved Roczen to second, Stewart to third, and Team Honda HRC's Chase Sexton up to fourth. Six and a half minutes in, Stewart drew alongside Roczen and battled his way past. The two riders nearly came together, forcing a mistake from Roczen that allowed Sexton to take over third place. Further back, Monster Energy Kawasaki's Jason Anderson and Cooper Webb scrapped for fifth position.

Then Tomac crashed on the bridge jump he'd used to take the lead. Malcolm Stewart found himself out front. The crowd erupted as the Husqvarna rider saw his best shot at his first 450SX Class victory. At the halfway point Stewart led, Sexton pursued in second place, and Roczen sat third. Sexton challenged for the lead as Tomac started his charge back to the front.

 With just under seven minutes left on the race clock Sexton pushed past Stewart, forcing Stewart momentarily off the track. Shortly after, Tomac reached third place and set his sights on Stewart in second. As the clock ticked down past 3:30, Tomac pushed past Stewart while Webb got around Roczen and into fourth. One small bobble from Sexton put Tomac suddenly in a perfect position to take back the lead. Only 1.7 seconds separated the top three racers when Stewart went over the bars in a rhythm section and saw his shot at a first win disappear.

 With two minutes to go, Tomac took back the front spot. As the clock ticked past one minute, Webb reached third position. Webb nabbed one more spot, taking second from Sexton just as they crossed the white flag. Tomac took the checkers a lap later, earning his first Anaheim 1 victory and starting his title defense with a win and a display of speed that separates him as the rider to beat this season.

The Western Regional 250SX Class delivered a dramatic crash nearly from the instant the gate dropped. Just halfway down the start straight of the 250SX Class Main Event, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Austin Forkner crashed hard. Emerging from the first turn with the lead, Jett Lawrence fought off early attacks from Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Cameron McAdoo. Before the first lap was in the books Lawrence had pulled clear of McAdoo and the pack and was never challenged again for the spot.

Behind Lawrence, McAdoo pursued with Red Bull KTM's Max Vohland, Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha's Phil Nicoletti, and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's RJ Hampshire close behind. Hampshire put down fast laps on the rutty track and moved into third place two and a half minutes into the 15-minute plus one lap race. With under two minutes left on the race clock Hampshire made the pass into second position and held the spot to the checkers.

The racers battle again on Saturday night, January 14th at RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland, California for round 2 of the Monster Energy Supercross season. The event also serves as round 2 of the 2023 Super Motocross World Championship series. The new 2023 SuperMotocross League tests the athletes across both disciplines and culminates in a three race series (two Playoffs and one Final, with points payout increases at each) in September and October to crown a single champion in each class. All 31 SuperMotocross World Championship rounds will be streamed live on Peacock with select rounds also broadcast domestically across NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. International coverage is available through the SuperMotocross Video Pass at SuperMotocross.tv.  

The Monster Energy Supercross season makes up the first seventeen rounds of 2023 racing, with three rounds featuring a Triple Crown format and two rounds hosting a 250SX Class East/West Showdown. The 2023 purse money increases $1.1 million over the 17-rounds, with a $1,000,000 win bonus to the SuperMotocross 450 Class champion and $500,000 win bonus to the SuperMotocross 250 Class champion.

Tickets are on sale now for all seventeen Monster Energy Supercross events. For tickets, race results, feature stories, and airtimes on Peacock, NBC, USA Network, and CNBC please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.

450SX Class Results - Anaheim 1

1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha

2. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM

3. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda

4. Dylan Ferrandis, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha

5. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki

6. Colt Nichols, Murrieta, Calif., Honda

7. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki

8. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM

9. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki

10. Joey Savatgy, Clermont, Fla., Kawasaki

450SX Class Championship Standings

1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (26)

2. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (23)

3. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (21)

4. Dylan Ferrandis, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha (19)

5. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki (18)

6. Colt Nichols, Murrieta, Calif., Honda (17)

7. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (16)

8. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (15)

9. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (14)

10. Joey Savatgy, Clermont, Fla., Kawasaki (13)

Western Regional 250SX Class Results - Anaheim 1

1. Jett Lawrence, Zephyrhills, Fla., Honda

2. RJ Hampshire, Minneola, Fla., Husqvarna

3. Cameron McAdoo, Sioux City, Iowa, Kawasaki

4. Mitchell Oldenburg, Godley, Tex., Honda

5. Max Vohland, Granite Bay, Calif., KTM

6. Enzo Lopes, Chesterfield, S.C., Yamaha

7. Levi Kitchen, Havana, Fla., Yamaha

8. Phillip Nicoletti, Bethel, N.Y., Yamaha

9. Stilez Robertson, Bakersfield, Calif., Yamaha

10. Derek Kelley, Riverside, Calif., KTM

Western Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings

1. Jett Lawrence, Zephyrhills, Fla., Honda (26)

2. RJ Hampshire, Minneola, Fla., Husqvarna (23)

3. Cameron McAdoo, Sioux City, Iowa, Kawasaki (21)

4. Mitchell Oldenburg, Godley, Tex., Honda (19)

5. Max Vohland, Granite Bay, Calif., KTM (18)

6. Enzo Lopes, Chesterfield, S.C., Yamaha (17)

7. Levi Kitchen, Havana, Fla., Yamaha (16)

8. Phillip Nicoletti, Bethel, N.Y., Yamaha (15)

9. Stilez Robertson, Bakersfield, Calif., Yamaha (14)

10. Derek Kelley, Riverside, Calif., KTM (13)

Billy Bolt Makes It SuperEnduro Win Number Two In Germany

From Husqvarna

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt has delivered the goods to claim victory at round two of the 2023 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship in Riesa, Germany. In what proved to be a night of edge-of-the-seat SuperEnduro action, the defending World Champion overcame numerous incident-filled races to secure the top step of the podium and extend his points lead.

With a full house of spectators in Riesa, Billy wasted no time in putting on a show. Blitzing the course for the SuperPole, Bolt topped the time sheets on his FE 350 by over one and a half seconds.

Eager to carry that form into the rest of the night, Bolt timed the gate drop of race one to perfection to claim the holeshot and take an early lead. Settling into a fast rhythm, Billy pushed hard to increase his advantage. However, a slight lapse in concentration overtaking lapped riders allowed rival Jonny Walker to momentarily slip by. Immediately regrouping, Billy put his Husqvarna back in front and with a couple of laps to go, he attacked hard to ride clear for a five-second margin of victory.

With the start order reversed for race two, Billy made his now customary cautious start to the race. Putting on a charge, he slotted into second place on lap two. Tangling with Walker while challenging for the lead, both riders crashed in the sand corner. Bolt was quick to his feet and a lap later had fought his way into the lead. However, despite building up a comfortable advantage, a crash on the penultimate lap dropped him back to fourth. Fighting hard to recover, he crossed the finish line in third, despite a dramatic clash with Taddy Blazusiak, which saw both riders hit the dirt after the chequered flag.

Putting race two behind him, Billy focused on winning race three to seal the overall victory in Germany. Third off the start, he took the lead on lap one only to crash once more on the rocky climb. A second crash knocked him back to third. Racing up to second place, he faced a five second deficit to leader Walker with three laps to go. Muscling his FE 350 around the course, he finally drew level with Walker and took the lead with one lap to go. This time holding firm, he claimed a dramatic and hard-fought race three victory to secure the top step of the podium in Riesa.

The 2023 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship continues with round three in Budapest, Hungary on February 4.

Billy Bolt: “I made life hard for myself tonight, but I’m happy to have come out on top in the end. It was pretty hectic on track all night and to be honest I made too many stupid mistakes. I hold my hands up for that. The speed was there, but with only one good line on the track mistakes were easily made. Maybe tonight was about shaking off that Christmas break, but I feel like I have room to improve for round three. Overall, I’ve finished on top of the podium and extended my points leads, so I’m happy with the outcome and look forward to Budapest.”

Results: FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, Round 2

Prestige Overall

1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 58pts; 2. Jonny Walker (Beta) 56pts; 3. Taddy Blazusiak (GASGAS) 41pts…

Prestige Race 1

1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 9 laps, 6:51.036; 2. Jonny Walker (Beta) 9 laps, 6:56.548; 3. Cody Webb (Sherco) 9 laps, 7:23.394…

Prestige Race 2

1. Jonny Walker (Beta) 9 laps, 7:34.392; 2. Taddy Blazusiak (GASGAS) 9 laps 7:37.662; 3. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 9 laps, 7:38.662…

Prestige Race 3

1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 9 laps, 7:08.805; 2. Jonny Walker (Beta) 9 laps, 7:11.138; 3. Taddy Blazusiak (GASGAS) 9 laps, 7:32.626…

Championship Standings (After round 2)

1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 121pts; 2. Jonny Walker (Beta) 107pts; 3. Taddy Blazusiak (GASGAS) 84pts…

RJ HAMPSHIRE DELIVERS RUNNER-UP FINISH AT ANAHEIM 1 SX

From Husqvarna

Making the trek to Angel Stadium is an annual tradition for the AMA Supercross Championship, but this year added a new layer of intrigue, as it was also the kickoff of the new SuperMotocross era, where the Supercross and Pro Motocross seasons link together for the first time. RJ Hampshire topped the results for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team, where tough track conditions brought on by an unusual string of rainy days in Southern California made it extremely challenging for all the riders.

250SX

Part of the mystery of any season-opener is to see how all the riders stack up, and the night started off in the best way possible for RJ Hampshire, with a win in his heat race packed with talented title contenders. When the gate dropped for the 250SX Main Event, Hampshire started off in the fourth position, but methodically moved forward. With less than two minutes left to go, he moved into the second spot and finished slightly over five seconds behind the top spot.

"Man, we had an awesome day," Hampshire said. "From start to finish we were solid. I felt like my riding was really good. My starts were decent, and it was a solid start to the season with a P2. We'll take it and lead into Oakland. Hopefully, we can do it again."

450SX

Malcolm Stewart experienced a little bit of everything during the 450SX Main Event. Nearing the halfway point, he took advantage of a bobble by last season’s champion and took over the lead for several laps. Later, contact with another rider forced him off the track. In the closing stages of the main, he had a crash that dropped him to the back of the pack. But even with the tough finish, he was left with a positive impression at the start of the season.

"The day started out pretty slow. I didn't really ride that well in practice and the track was pretty tough, but I got to a point where I was like, 'You know what? I just need to turn this dayaround,' because I felt like I work too hard to get to this point," Stewart said. "I got a decent start in the main event, and just did the best I could. I started riding, clicking off laps, making some good passes, and smart choices. I was leading the main for a while, which was amazing. I don't think I've done that in my whole entire career. Just having all that pressure and dealing with it, if anything brings confidence to me because I know where I belong. I'm very proud of myself. Unfortunately, we did have a crash with three laps to go. It was a big crash for sure. I'm glad that I'm healthy and walked away from it, so we live to fight another day and I'm more proud of myself because of how my day was going and me turning it around and going like that, and doing what I'm supposed to do just brings more confidence for me. I'm looking forward to Oakland."

For the newest member of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna team, Christian Craig, it was a tough way to start the season, finishing 13th on the night in the 450 class.

"A1's done and it was a rough day for me," Craig said. "I started off good in practice and then had a pretty big crash in the whoops and from there on out it was a struggle. I rode tight and not like myself. I’m pretty frustrated with the night, but we're healthy, we're moving on, and only up from here. I've just got to work on starting up front and putting myself in a good position to battle more next week."

Next Event (Round 2): 1/14/23 – RingCentral Coliseum

Round 1 Results: Anaheim, California

250SX West – Main Event

1. Jett Lawrence (Honda)

2. RJ Hampshire - Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing

3. Cameron Mcadoo (Kawasaki)

450SX – Main Event

1. Eli Tomac (Yamaha)

2. Cooper Webb (KTM)

3. Chase Sexton (Honda)

… 

13. Christian Craig - Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing

22. Malcolm Stewart - Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing

450SX Championship Standings – After Round 1

1. Eli Tomac (Yamaha) 26 pts

2. Cooper Webb (KTM) 23 pts

3. Chase Sexton (Honda) 21 pts

… 

13. Christian Craig - Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 10 pts

22. Malcolm Stewart - Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 1 pts

250SX West Championship Standings – After Round 1

1. Jett Lawrence (Honda) 26 pts

2. RJ Hampshire - Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, 23 pts

3. Cameron Mcadoo (Kawasaki) 21 pts

JUSTIN BARCIA COMES OUT SWINGING AT ANAHEIM SX SEASON OPENER

From GasGas

The Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing Team came to the AMA Supercross Championship season opener with their usual high hopes, a full off-season of preparation, and of course, Troy’s artistic touches for the rider’s helmets, bikes and gear. Racing aboard the all-new 2023 MC 450F and MC 250F Factory Edition bikes for the first time, both Justin Barcia and Pierce Brown came away with their fair share of ups and downs in Anaheim, California. 

• The Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing Team came in hot for the start of the 2023 season!
• Barcia brings the speed with an amazing holeshot in the 450 main
• Brown unfortunately suffered a race-ending crash in the 250SX West heat race

450SX

Justin Barcia and Anaheim 1 are generally a solid match, and he’s had plenty of success (including wins and podiums) in previous years at the season opener. Another win looked like a definite possibility once again, as he quickly grabbed the holeshot aboard his GASGAS MC 450F Factory Edition and jumped into the early lead. Unfortunately, after leading the first three laps ahead of last year’s champ, he had an off-track excursion that dropped him to the 11th spot.

Justin Barcia: "A1 is a wrap. The day started off pretty well. I felt good in the first practice but I struggled a little bit in the next two, just with feeling comfortable with the track, because it was very tricky with a lot of square edges and things like that. I made a big change before the heat race and unfortunately went in the wrong direction. So I went back to my base setting for the main event. Pretty much ripped the holeshot, led a few laps, made a huge mistake, and had a crash. I worked my way back up to like seventh and had another crash. So it was a difficult main event. We'll take a few positives from the day. We had a good start, and we had speed, we just need to keep it on two wheels and keep it simple and we'll be good. But the speed is there, the fitness is there, and the bike's there, so I'm happy with that and definitely put this result behind us and move forward."

250SX West

Pierce Brown started off the day on the gas, qualifying in the third position. But a hard crash in his heat race proved to be the end of his evening. After being seen by the Alpinestars Mobile Medical crew, he was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. The good news is that he’s already been released, and is headed home.

Next Event (Round 2): 1/14/23 – RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland, California

Results – 2022 AMA Supercross Championship, Round 1

450SX – Main Event

1. Eli Tomac (Yamaha); 2. Cooper Webb (KTM) +02.778; 3. Chase Sexton (Honda) +04.350 … 11. Justin Barcia (GASGAS) +42.507; 18. Justin Starling (GASGAS)

250SX West – Main Event

1. Jett Lawrence (Honda); 2. RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna) +05.259; 3. Cameron Mcadoo (Kawasaki) +10.671 … 18. Jerry Robin (GASGAS)

Championship Standings – After Round 1

450SX

1. Eli Tomac 26 pts; 2. Cooper Webb 23; 3. Chase Sexton 21 … 11. Justin Barcia 12

250SX West

1. Jett Lawrence 26 pts; 2. RJ Hampshire 23; 3. Cameron Mcadoo 21 … 18. Jerry Robin 5

TADDY FINISHES THIRD AT SUPERENDURO GERMANY

From GasGas

That was a tough night of racing, but Taddy Blazusiak fought hard at round two of the 2023 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship to finish in a spectacular third place! The Polish star delivered a true-grit performance to bounce back from a slow start in Riesa, Germany and end it on the podium.

• Taddy grabs overall podium result in Germany
• Fighting all the way GASGAS EC 350F racer ends his night in third
• Blazusiak leaves Germany with confidence high for round three next month

After missing the podium at the opening round of the season in Poland, Taddy Blazusiak was determined to bounce back with a top-three result at round two in Germany. Despite a course that punished the slightest of mistakes, Taddy kept his EC 350F on track all night to end Riesa on a high.

Not getting his night off to the start he hoped for, race one proved to be Taddy’s worst result of the night, but one that ultimately fired him up for the remaining races to come. On track to finish third, a crash on the rocky climb saw him slip to 10th for an eventual seventh place finish.

Determined to make amends, he would spend the remainder of his night consistently inside the sharp end of the results. Capitalizing on the reversed start order for race two, Taddy was quickly up to second and riding hard. Holding that position for a lap, he slipped back to third. But with a drama-filled final lap, he raced his way back into second. Although having a heavy tangle with rival Billy Bolt at the checkered flag, our GASGAS star heroically shrugged it off to line up for race three.

Giving it his all, Taddy put in arguably his best ride of the night. Into second place early on, the Polish ace was looking strong until a crash on that notorious rocky climb pushed him back to third. Making no more mistakes, he crossed the finish line in third to earn a well-deserved spot on the podium with third overall.

Pumped with his night’s work, Taddy now looks forward to round three of the championship in Budapest, Hungary on February 4.

Taddy Blazusiak: “It was tough night, but it ended great. I wasn’t happy with how round one went, so I wanted to improve and bounce back from that. In race one I was in third, but then crashed on the rocks and dropped back to last. I regrouped and got seventh there. For the rest of the night I was just fighting as hard as I could. I’m super happy to come through for third overall and finish on the podium.”

2023 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, Round 2, Germany

Event Classification

1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna)

2. Jonny Walker (Beta)

3. Taddy Blazusiak (GASGAS)

Race 1

1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna)

2. Jonny Walker (Beta)

3. Cody Webb (Sherco)

…

7. Taddy Blazusiak (GASGAS)

Race 2

1. Jonny Walker (Beta)

2. Taddy Blazusiak (GASGAS)

3. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna)

Race 3

1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna)

2. Jonny Walker (Beta)

3. Taddy Blazusiak (GASGAS)

Championship Standings (After round 2)

1. Billy Bolt (Husqvarna) 121pts

2. Jonny Walker (Beta) 107pts

3. Taddy Blazusiak (GASGAS) 84pts

PODIUM CHARGE FOR WEBB AND RED BULL KTM IN ANAHEIM 2023 AMA SUPERCROSS OPENER

From KTM

Round 1 - AMA Supercross Championship

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team has begun its 2023 AMA Supercross Championship campaign strongly, as multi-time champion Cooper Webb led the charge with an impressive come-from-behind runner-up result aboard the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. Teammates Aaron Plessinger and Marvin Musquin finished the Anaheim season-opener in eighth and 12th respectively, while Max Vohland piloted his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION to a career-best fifth in the 250SX West Main Event.

The 2019 and 2021 title-winner Webb set a solid foundation for the night show by starting his Heat race inside the top four. After losing a position on the second lap, Webb quickly struck back to retake the spot, then shadowed Musquin. From there, 27-year-old Webb made his move a lap later and went on to finish his heat race in third.

When the gate dropped on the 450SX Main Event, Webb found himself in 10th on the opening lap, but made a number of quick passes to work his way into sixth before the halfway mark. As the track deteriorated, Webb came into his own, dropping his lap-times and making more crucial passes to work his way onto the podium, before executing a final-lap pass to claim a hard-fought, satisfying P2 result at the opening race of the new SuperMotocross World Championship.

 Cooper Webb: “I’m stoked to start this season so well! Honestly, I was really hoping to get a top five, maybe a top three tonight. I didn’t get a great start and I actually stalled the bike, and that put me back in the mid-pack. It’s tough because at the first round everyone’s feisty and excited, so it’s about being smart getting around guys, and moving forward without wasting too much time. The track was very rough, but I found some good lines and I was able to get start clicking off laps and making passes. A lot of riders made mistakes tonight and it worked out well for me.”

 Plessinger’s night got off to a promising start with a strong performance in his Heat race. After a top-eight start aboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, Plessinger was one of the big movers throughout the seven-lap Heat. He constantly moved forward through the pack, regularly making passes as he surged to a hard-fought fourth place finish, making his final pass on the last lap.

It was an eventful Main Event for the #7, as he rounded the first turn inside the top 10, then found himself caught in the thick of the action. Capitalizing on other riders’ errors and making clever moves for position, Plessinger made his way into seventh, but went down late in the race and dropped to 11th. A string of late passes and opportunities saw him rebound to finish the race in eighth place.

 Aaron Plessinger: “For the first round of the season and my first race back since February, my day went pretty well. I qualified in 10th, and while I didn’t get a good start in my Heat race, I made it work and came back to fourth. In the Main Event I was in a good position, but had a little spill. If I hadn’t done that, I feel like I would have ended up in the top five or just outside of it, so we’ll clean some stuff up this week and be back ready for Oakland.”

 Longstanding Red Bull KTM racer Musquin began his 2023 campaign strongly with a third-fastest qualifying time aboard the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION and brought that same intensity into his Heat race. He jumped well off the gate and into second position, but lost a handful of positions throughout the race – including to his teammate Webb – before crossing the finish-line in P5.

 A mid-pack start to the 450SX Main Event saw the Frenchmen struggle to make headway early on, but he found some opportunities as the race unfolded, working his way into eighth. A small crash undid all his efforts as he remounted in 11th position and, despite keeping his focus forward, he lost another position late to finish the season-opener in 12th.

 Marvin Musquin: “I’m very disappointed with my end result and I know I can do a lot better. Track conditions were very tough and I wasn’t able to put it all together tonight. I had a bad start and got pinched badly in the first turn, and from that point on I struggled to find a rhythm. I could’ve got a good result as a lot of riders crashed, but I wasn’t able to make it happen. I got into a better rhythm in the middle part of the race, but then I dropped it. It was a really tough night and this isn’t what I want, so we’ll keep working and do better next weekend.”

 It was a memorable night for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Max Vohland in round one of 250SX West. The rising star launched well off the starting gate in the first Heat race of the 2023 season, rounding the first turn in third. Early pressure from behind saw Vohland respond well and push his way into second, but he lost the position several corners later. From that point he concentrated on clicking off consistent laps to finish with a well-deserved P3 result.

 Another great start in the 250SX Main Event saw Vohland rocket into third, a position he held for two laps before dropping to fourth. He then settled into a good rhythm and kept his focus forward for most of the race before a small mistake on the 12th lap saw him give up another place. Still, Vohland continued to put down consistent laps to cross the finish-line with a career-best fifth-place result and start his 2023 campaign on a high note.

 Max Vohland: “A1 was a good start to the championship for me. I started off the day with two good qualifying sessions, then I had a strong in my Heat, racing to a third-place finish. In the Main Event I got off to a good start and battled most of the race in fourth, and ended up fifth for the night. I’m really happy as my goal was a top-five result and I was able to achieve that. I’m looking forward to carrying this momentum into Oakland next weekend.”

 Next Race: January 14 – Oakland, California

 Results 450SX Class – Anaheim I

1. Eli Tomac (USA), Yamaha, 21 laps

2. Cooper Webb (USA), KTM, +2.778

3. Chase Sexton (USA), Honda, +4.350

OTHER KTM

8. Aaron Plessinger (USA), KTM

12. Marvin Musquin (FRA), KTM

15. Justin Hill (USA), KTM

17. Josh Hill (USA), KTM

19. Kevin Moranz (USA), KTM

Standings 450SX Class 2023 after 1 of 17 rounds

1. Eli Tomac, 26 points

2. Cooper Webb, 23

3. Chase Sexton, 21

OTHER KTM

8. Aaron Plessinger, 15

12. Marvin Musquin, 11

15. Justin Hill, 8

17. Josh Hill, 6

19. Kevin Moranz, 4

Results 250SX West Class – Anaheim I

1. Jett Lawrence (AUS), Honda, 16 laps

2. RJ Hampshire (USA), Husqvarna, +05.259

3. Cameron McAdoo (USA), Kawasaki, +10.671

OTHER KTM

5. Max Vohland (USA), KTM

10. Derek Kelley (USA), KTM

19. Hunter Cross (USA), KTM

Standings 250SX West Class 2023 after 1 of 9 rounds

1. Jett Lawrence, 26 points

2. RJ Hampshire, 23

3. Cameron Mcadoo, 21

OTHER KTM

5. Max Vohland, 18

10. Derek Kelley, 13

19. Hunter Cross, 4

Final 2023 Progressive American Flat Track Schedule Announced

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 9, 2023) – AMA Pro Racing has confirmed its finalized 18-round schedule for the upcoming 2023 Progressive American Flat Track season.

The previously announced provisional schedule laid out an ideally balanced slate in terms of discipline, geography, and pacing. Other key features were visits to venues both historic and new, the alignment of the calendar with multiple high-profile rallies and holiday weekends, and a more compact timeframe that fits all 18 rounds in during motorcycle riding season. The final schedule features five Miles, five Half-Miles, four Short Tracks, and four TTs.

The final schedule further solidifies that intent with the confirmation of the return of the Arizona Super TT and the West Virginia Half-Mile.

The Arizona Super TT returns following its 2019 debut, joining the entertainment options planned during the weekend of the 29th annual Arizona Bike Week on April 1. Set at the 450-acre Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park racing complex located just outside of Phoenix, the Arizona Super TT features multiple jumps and a variety of left- and right-hand turns. The ‘19 event marked the first Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle Main Event win of JD Beach’s career – one that kicked off a run that has seen him score six of seven TTs wins in the years since.

On July 1, Progressive AFT will compete in the state of West Virginia for the first time since 2006 with the West Virginia Half-Mile. The event will take place at the scenic West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells, W.V. This mountainside 5/8-mile track is both renowned for its high speed and beautiful settings, promising to serve as an incredible stage for the world’s greatest motorcycle dirt track racers next summer.

The final 2023 Progressive American Flat Track schedule follows:

• March 9, 2023 - DAYTONA Short Track I, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL
• March 10, 2023 - DAYTONA Short Track II, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL
• March 25, 2023 - Senoia Short Track, Senoia Raceway, Senoia, GA
• April 1, 2023 - Arizona Super TT, Chandler, AZ
• April 22, 2023 – Dallas Half-Mile, Devil’s Bowl Speedway, Mesquite, TX
• May 6, 2023 - Ventura Short Track, Ventura Raceway, Ventura, CA
• May 13, 2023 - Sacramento Mile, Cal Expo, Sacramento, CA
• May 27, 2023 - Red Mile, The Red Mile, Lexington, KY                                        
• June 17, 2023 - DuQuoin Mile, Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, Du Quoin, IL
• June 24, 2023 - Lima Half-Mile, Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, OH
• July 1, 2023 - West Virginia Half-Mile, West Virginia Motor Speedway, Mineral Wells, WV
• July 8, 2023 - Orange County Half-Mile, Orange County Fair Speedway, Middletown, NY
• July 22, 2023 - Bridgeport Half-Mile, Bridgeport Speedway, Swedesboro, NJ
• July 30, 2023 - Peoria TT, Peoria Motorcycle Club, Peoria, IL
• August 6, 2023 - Buffalo Chip TT, Sturgis Buffalo Chip, Sturgis, SD
• August 12, 2023 - Castle Rock TT, Castle Rock Race Park, Castle Rock, WA
• September 2, 2023 - Springfield Mile I, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL
• September 3, 2023 - Springfield Mile II, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL

Tickets for select rounds are on sale now, and tickets for future races will be on sale in the weeks ahead at https://store.americanflattrack.com.

How to Watch:

FOX Sports and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2023 season, all races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. FansChoice.tv provides livestreaming coverage of every Progressive AFT round at https://www.FansChoice.tv.

To schedule an interview with American Flat Track, please contact [email protected]. To learn more about the the exciting sport of flat track racing, visit https://www.americanflattrack.com/about. 

Monster Energy?/Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki’s Cameron McAdoo Earns Podium Finish at Season Opener in Anaheim

Foothill Ranch, Calif. (January 8, 2022) – The highly anticipated opening round of the inaugural SuperMotocross World Championship resulted in a podium celebration for Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Cameron McAdoo as he claimed third place in the 250SX Class Main Event. In the 450SX Class, Monster Energy Kawasaki teammates Jason Anderson and Adam Cianciarulo overcame the treacherous conditions to secure a pair of top-10 finishes with seventh and ninth place, respectively. Fellow Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Austin Forkner proved his speed by qualifying in pole position and charging through the competition in his Heat Race before a crash at the start of the 250SX Main Event sidelined him for the remainder of the night.

Amid a particularly wet southern California winter, the Anaheim 1 opener provided riders with a unique battling ground of soft rutted soil for what is arguably the most anticipated race on the calendar. The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki duo of McAdoo and Forkner were quick to prove the off-season preparation of their KX?250 race machines as the two riders adapted to the challenging course conditions and asserted their positions at the front of the field. Both Kawasaki riders linked together impressive laps throughout the timed qualifying sessions while pioneering several of the larger rhythm combinations around the track. When qualifying concluded, Forkner secured the first pole position of the year with a 1:00.595 lap time and McAdoo followed with the fifth fastest lap of the class (1:01.601).

When the gate dropped for 250SX Heat 2, McAdoo rocketed his No.48 KX250 out to the holeshot and early lead. A quick exchange for the lead on the first lap moved McAdoo back to second place before the veteran 250SX Class rider executed a calculated pass on Lap 3. Once McAdoo regained the lead position, he logged smooth laps out front to claim his first Heat Race win of the year. Meanwhile, Forkner was running outside the top-15 on the opening lap after he was forced to take evasive action to avoid a crashed rider in Turn 2. Forkner mounted an impressive charge and proved himself as the class of the field by racing his way into third place before the conclusion of the six minute plus one lap qualification race.

In the first 250SX Western Regional Main Event of the season, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Cameron McAdoo was quick to launch out the gate and utilize the power of his KX250 race machine to reach the first corner in second. Unfortunately, the night ended early for Forkner after he was sidelined due to a crash suffered at the start of the 15-minute Main Event. Meanwhile, McAdoo maintained his composure on the rapidly deteriorating track to hold strong to second place throughout the first half of the race. As the race progressed, a small mistake by McAdoo allowed the rider in third to close the gap and mount a charge. The Iowa-native remained in control of the position during the latter stages of the race until lapped traffic caused another small error from McAdoo and saw him slip back to third. At the finish, McAdoo took the checkered flag in third to secure an impressive podium result at the season opener; the 14th 250SX Class podium of his career.

“The energy is always high at the opening round and the track was especially technical tonight so I stayed focused on being the best I could be throughout the day and trusted that would place me near the front of the running order. All in all, a podium result is a solid way to start out the season and our goal is to consistently finish near the front with the aim of challenging for the 250SX Championship. I still feel like I could have executed a few things better in the late stages of the Main Event to contend for the win so, I’m going to continue working with the team and look to improve next weekend in Oakland.”

- Cameron McAdoo

The demanding Anaheim 1 track conditions offered the 450SX riders an opportunity to display their elite technicality as the rapid transitions from traction to slippery wet dirt required exceptional throttle control and power management. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Anderson and Cianciarulo proved to have two distinct approaches to the challenge as Anderson attacked the track from the very outset and Cianciarulo patiently found his rhythm as conditions improved. Despite the differences in their tactics, both KX?450SR riders challenged near the front of the leaderboard with impressive pace. When the qualification sessions concluded, Anderson had the fourth fastest lap (1:00.602) and Cianciarulo had the eighth fastest lap (1:01.140).

When the second 450SX Heat Race got underway, Cianciarulo and Anderson rivaled for positions inside the top five. As the earlier race jockeying began to settle, Cianciarulo moved his way into third place with Anderson close behind in fourth. The Monster Energy Kawasaki teammates commanded the attention of the nearly sold-out Angel Stadium audience while they thrillingly contested the podium position. Cianciarulo proved his racing mettle by withstanding the pressure from behind and logging consistent laps to maintain third place through to the finish line. Meanwhile, a minor mistake from Anderson in the rutted rhythm lane on the final lap shuffled him back one position for a fifth-place result.

In the 450SX Main Event, Anderson and Cianciarulo launched out of the gate before bumping bars with the championship contenders causing them to shut off the throttle and lose position entering the first turn. Anderson was able to sneak around the inside and quickly found himself inside the top-10 while Cianciarulo suffered another minor mistake before mounting a charge forward from 13th position on the green flag lap. Anderson raced his way through the top contenders until Lap 10 when he fell while attempting to pass his way up into a podium position. Anderson remounted in eighth place but, quickly regained his pace and began racing his way toward the front. All the while, Cianciarulo stuck to his strategy of persistently chipping away at the competition as he worked his way up into the top-10 of the running order. When the checkered flag flew, Anderson finished in seventh and Cianciarulo followed close behind in ninth place.  

"The track was really demanding tonight with all of the sharp edges and quickly changing ruts which caught a lot of riders out during the day. From the morning practices through the end of the 450SX Main Event, you had to be precise with where you put your tires on every section of the track. I had a few mistakes that cost me from getting into the podium battle at the end of the night but, overall, I feel like we’re in a great place with the KX450SR to be competitive for wins again in 2023.”

- Jason Anderson

“First and foremost, it was great to be back at the races doing what I love with my team today. We are aiming to build some momentum and continue improving throughout the season so, to start inside the top-10 after nearly a year away from racing is a positive. It was a really challenging track today for everyone but, we managed it all well as a team and came away with a solid result at the end. I’m looking forward to doing it again next week in Oakland.”

- Adam Cianciarulo

Jett Lawrence Wins 250 West AMA Supercross Opener at Anaheim 1

On a treacherous track in a packed Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Team Honda HRC enjoyed a strong start to the 2023 AMA Supercross season. For Jett Lawrence, a convincing 250 victory was a promising start to his bid for a West title to go along with last year’s East crown; for Chase Sexton, a safe third-place finish in a dramatic 450 main showed that he’s capable of minimizing errors in perilous scenarios; and for Colt Nichols, a sixth-place ride was a respectable performance in his first race aboard 450 machinery.

Lawrence rode nearly flawlessly in the 250 West main event, taking the holeshot and leading every lap, but the 450 main was much more dramatic. Nichols nailed the holeshot aboard his CRF450RWE, but an early bobble caused him to be overtaken by several riders, including teammate Sexton, who sat fifth in the early going. The Illinois native’s patient riding was rewarded when he profited from mistakes by other riders, and an aggressive lap-12 pass on Malcolm Stewart put him into the lead. Sexton’s momentum slowed during the race’s latter stages, and was overtaken by Eli Tomac and Cooper Webb, though he still finished just 4.35 seconds off the winning time.

NOTES

• With California being pelted by rain for most of the week leading up to the race, Team Honda HRC ventured away from the squad’s private Corona test track, to Carson Mumford’s track in Adelanto, which was less affected by the precipitation.
• The Wednesday before race day, Hunter and Jett Lawrence held a press conference at Costa Mesa, California’s South Coast Plaza. The public event featured Daniel Blair interviewing the brothers and Phil Nicoletti–Jettson Donuts’ first “sponsored” rider. It was also announced that Jettson is the Official Donut of AMA Supercross, and will be sold in the concourse areas at every round.
• Team Honda HRC riders Chase Sexton, Colt Nichols and Jett Lawrence were featured in AMA Supercross’s Friday press conference. Although the weather was good, the track sessions were canceled to protect the surface for race day.
• In a nod to the many kids who received Honda CRF trail bikes over the holidays, the Team Honda HRC pits featured a display featuring the CRF50F and CRF110F–both in new White color schemes that are offered for 2023. The display also featured a pair of factory Team Honda HRC machines in the same colors–serving as a reminder that Honda’s CRF line covers an impressively broad range of riders, from first-timers to factory racers.
• With Team Honda HRC 250 crew chief Grant Hutcheson under the weather for the opener, his duties were assumed by Ricki Rock, who normally works as the squad’s R&D supervisor.
• The rain leading up to race day resulted in an extremely rough track that prompted many mistakes by the riders. The weather itself was actually quite good, with sunny skies all day, although evening temperatures were chilly (51o Fahrenheit for the main event, with 94% humidity).
• Sexton was the top 450 rider in daytime qualifying at Anaheim 2, and the only one to turn a lap time that was under a minute. Nichols was 16th-best, and Lawrence was second-fastest in the 250 West class despite a couple of falls.
• Lawrence finished second in the season’s first heat race following a fifth-place start. Other Red Riders to advance straight to the main were SmarTops/MotoConcepts Honda racers Mitchell Oldenburg and Anthony Rodriguez, whereas Concrete Plants’ Maxwell Sanford made it from the last-chance qualifier.
• The holeshots in both 450 heat races went to CRF450RWE-mounted riders, with Nichols and Sexton doing the honors. Nichols eventually finished seventh in heat 1, whereas Sexton led all the way to the finish in heat 2. Also advancing to the main was Fire Power Honda’s Dean Wilson.
• Jett Lawrence was the only 250 West main-event rider to post a lap time that was less than a minute, his 59.667” lap nearly four-tenths of a second better than his nearest competitor.
• Lawrence has competed in the 250 East region for the past two seasons, so this was his first Angel Stadium appearance since he broke his collarbone while battling for the win on the final lap at the 2020 Anaheim 2 event.
• Lawrence’s main-event win was his eighth in AMA 250 Supercross, and his 15th podium. Sexton’s 450 podium finish was his 12th in the class, and his first at a 450 season opener.
• Sexton and Lawrence both took part in the post-race press conference.
• Next up, Team Honda HRC travels north to Oakland for AMA Supercross round 2, which is expected to be affected by the rainstorms drenching California of late.

450SX Results

1. Eli Tomac (Yam)
2. Cooper Webb (KTM)
3. Chase Sexton (Hon)
4. Dylan Ferrandis (Yam)
5. Ken Roczen (Suz)
6. Colt Nichols (Hon)
7. Jason Anderson (Kaw)
8. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)
9. Adam Cianciarulo (Kaw)
10. Joey Savatgy (Kaw)

—

1. Dean Wilson (Hon)

450SX Championship Points (after 1 of 17 rounds)

1. Eli Tomac: 26
2. Cooper Webb: 23
3. Chase Sexton: 21
4. Dylan Ferrandis: 19
5. Ken Roczen: 18
6. Colt Nichols: 17
7. Jason Anderson: 16
8. Aaron Plessinger: 15
9. Adam Cianciarulo: 14
10. Joey Savatgy: 13

—

1. Dean Wilson: 9

250SX West Results

1. Jett Lawrence (Hon)
2. R.J. Hampshire (Hus)
3. Cameron McAdoo (Kaw)
4. Mitchell Oldenburg (Hon)
5. Max Vohland (KTM)
6. Enzo Lopes (Yam)
7. Levi Kitchen (Yam)
8. Phil Nicoletti (Yam)
9. Stilez Robertson (Yam)
10. Derek Kelley (KTM)

250SX West Region Championship Points (after 1 of 9 rounds)

1. Jett Lawrence: 26
2. R.J. Hampshire: 23
3. Cameron McAdoo: 21
4. Mitchell Oldenburg: 19
5. Max Vohland: 18
6. Enzo Lopes: 17
7. Levi Kitchen: 16
8. Phil Nicoletti: 15
9. Stilez Robertson: 14
10. Derek Kelley: 13

Chase Sexton  23

“Anaheim 1 was one of the gnarliest tracks I’ve been on. It was really hard to jump into and be consistent and perfect throughout the whole main event. Being back in a race setting was good. I’m pretty comfortable on my bike; I think we made some good steps in the right direction, and I felt safe and stable in the whoops all night.”

Colt Nichols  45

“It was a little chaotic throughout the day, but things came around. I started out making it through the heat race unscathed. I went into the main and got a really good start and kind of fumbled the first little straightaway and went from first to like sixth. [laughs] I didn’t quite have the intensity the first maybe 10 minutes, and the front group got away a little bit–I was riding in no-man’s land. Overall though, I’m really happy. We got through it, which is all I really wanted to do, and I’ve got something to build on now. I’m excited for next weekend.”

Jett Lawrence  18

“It’s always nervous coming into the first one because you don’t know where everyone’s at. The big thing was how the track was going to form up for the main, and after practice, the joke was, ‘I just want to see Sunday!’ [laughs] I had a bit of a rough one in the heat race, so I just focused on the main and making sure I did what I needed to do. I’m thankful I came out of here in one piece.”

Lars Lindstrom - Team Manager

“That was a really good Anaheim 1 for the team, with two guys on the podium, and I’m really proud of Colt Nichols for finishing sixth in his first 450 race. Jett had struggled a little bit during the day with being consistent, but in the main event he just executed and rode a super-clean race–the cleanest he had ridden all day, hitting all the rhythms incredibly clean for a fantastic win. The track was extremely rough and rutted, and Chase probably needed to adapt to the track a little bit better, but to come away from Anaheim 1 with a podium is a success in my book. I’m really stoked on the team and ready to get to the ‘normal’ races now–glad to get A1 out of the way.”

Ken Roczen Storms to Top-Five at Anaheim Supercross Opener

BREA, CA, January 9, 2023 — Ken Roczen had the Angel Stadium of Anaheim crowd on its feet with a thrilling main event ride on his Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki RM-Z450. Roczen ran with the leaders all night and started the 17-round Monster Energy Supercross season with a solid top-five result.

BarX Suzuki's Derek Drake used a top-five heat race result to set up a strong main event performance on his Suzuki RM-Z250. Drake's new BarX Suzuki teammate Robbie Wageman was smooth and consistent on his Suzuki RM-Z250, and BarX's third rider, Ty Masterpool, holeshot and led the 250 class LCQ in his debut performance on his BarX Suzuki RM-Z250.

Dilan Schwartz did battle on his first ride with the Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki RM-Z250 squad, and Shane McElrath and Kyle Chisholm both showed promising speed as they debuted their Twisted Tea Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance RM-Z450s.

A strong second-place finish in his heat race set Ken Roczen and his Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki RM-Z450 up for a wild, dramatic, and impressive ride in the 450-class main event. Roczen had a great jump off the gate and exited the first corner in second. A thrilling opening-lap battle had him back and forth in a fight for the lead. Four minutes into the 20-minute plus two-lap race, Roczen once again put his RM-Z450 into the second-place position and set his sights once again on the lead.

The TV commentators outlined Roczen’s return to Suzuki after an off-season motorcycle tryout with several brands, ultimately choosing the rock-solid RM-Z450; returning to the machine that he's seen the most professional success on, the Suzuki RM-Z450. Roczen was on either the attack or defense for every lap of an exciting and satisfying opening-round race. He crossed the checkers in the top five and is looking ahead to an outstanding season with Suzuki.

"Our weekend at Anaheim was a fun one, but a very gnarly one,” said Ken Roczen right after the race. “We’ve had a lot of rain here lately on the west coast so the track for the first race was very unique, very difficult, and quite possibly one of the gnarliest supercross tracks that I’ve ever ridden. Overall, I’m stoked to get away with a top-five. We didn’t blow anything out of the water, and we didn’t do the absolute greatest, but at the same time we have something strong to build on and I'm super stoked about it. Most importantly, we didn’t crash all day and we got out of here healthy; we saw a lot of real bad crashes and we were able to keep it rubber side down and that was very important to us to keep building."

Derek Drake led the BarX Suzuki team with a top-five start and finish in his heat race for a direct transfer to the main. Unfortunately, a challenging start in the main event put Drake at the tail end of the pack. He twisted the throttle on his Suzuki RM-Z250 and passed nine riders before the race's midpoint to salvage good points on the night.

"It was nice to get A1 behind us," Drake commented. "There is a lot of improvement to be made and I'm confident we can reach it. All in all, it was a good night, and we are ready to fight next weekend."

Robbie Wageman started the evening's racing with a quick climb into a qualifying position in his heat race. He and his BarX Suzuki RM-Z250 were on the move in the main event, fighting forward in the early laps. Wageman put in consistent laps to hold his position on a rutted track that reached up and bit several other riders throughout the night.

"It was a rough start to the main event, but we made our way through the pack," said Wageman. "I'm happy to make it out of the first round safe. Onwards and upwards from here. My Suzuki was working great all day and I can't wait for next weekend!"

After showing strong speed for a direct transfer to the main, Schwartz's performance in the 250-class main event didn't demonstrate his 2023 speed. Schwartz navigated the technical track to put his Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki RM-Z250 into the points and hinted at strong supercross finishes ahead this season.

"The track shaped up pretty well for the night show," added Dilan Schwartz. "I felt comfortable but we're just dealing with some little things that held us back. But we're going to get it sorted and come out swinging next weekend."

Ty Masterpool's first ride with the BarX Suzuki team had him conserving energy as he was still recovering from the flu. Masterpool finished his heat race one spot away from a direct transfer position. He bounced back with a holeshot in the 250 class LCQ. He kept his Suzuki RM-Z250 up front until the final laps when a simple mistake cost him not only the win, but a transfer into the main event.

"I am battling Type A flu so I just did the best I could with the cards I was dealt," Masterpool explained after the event.

Shane McElrath's debut ride with the Twisted Tea Suzuki RM-Z450 saw him clawing forward in his heat race to miss a transfer position by only one spot. In the LCQ, McElrath got pinched off entering the first turn with thick mud at the edge of the track catching his wheel and ending his night with a crash.

"Honestly, for me, I just mentally didn't show up ready to race. It took me too long throughout the day to get to that point," McElrath reflected. "I'm a little banged up but it'll be all good. We'll just keep moving forward and I'm going to be fully prepared next weekend."

Kyle Chisholm had his Twisted Tea Suzuki RM-Z450 in a qualifying position in heat one but couldn't hold the spot to the checkers. Chisholm opted out of the LCQ and will come back strong at round two.

"I've been under the weather for the last couple of weeks and then something hit me hard the last few days. I'm not able to keep any food or water in me." Chisholm then told of his night, "I tried to get out there in the heat race and see what I could do. This was my first race with the new team, and they did great and gave me a great bike. With how bad I'm feeling, I'm pretty happy with where we're at, and excited to I know we'll be able to keep improving."

"I thought the night went well," said HEP Motorsports Team Manager Larry Brooks. "Roczen put in a good performance. I thought the bike worked well and was not too far off; testing at the track is never the same as at the races. All your weak points show at that first race of the year, but fifth place is a good starting point. As far as the other guys, Chiz was sick, so he was really just out of it all day. Shane crashed so we really didn’t get a chance to see him race and as for Dilan, he’s a young rider making rookie mistakes. He'll catch on, it’s only a matter of time."

"We were on point as a team and our Suzuki’s were ready to go for round one," said Buddy Antunez, BarX Suzuki Team Manager. "Derek did a great job of dialing in his Suzuki and himself all day. His riding ability did not match his result on the evening. Robbie was happy with his riding coming out of qualifying, but from the gate drop of heat two he never got going. He’s capable of so much more, and Ty had a couple of crashes that held him back from making the main."

The Suzuki racers earned points not only for the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross season, but also for the inaugural SuperMotocross World Championship that ties together 31-rounds that incorporate the supercross and motocross seasons, two Playoff rounds, and an SMX World Championship event.

The racers and teams now travel north to RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland, California for round two of both the Supercross season and the SMX World Championship series. The weather shows rain, which offers different challenges and opportunities for all the riders. The Suzuki teams are ready for anything the supercross track will present.

For more team news, and the latest from the Supercross season and SMX World Championship series, please visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/Motocross and HEPMotorsports.com.

Photo by BrownDogWilson Photography

AMA Announces Changes to U.S. ISDE Qualifier Process

The American Motorcyclist Association has announced changes in the U.S. ISDE qualifier process for 2023 in preparation for the 97th ISDE, which will take place Nov. 6-11 in San Juan, Argentina.

Instead of an ISDE qualifier series, two three-day qualifiers — one on the East Coast and one on the West Coast — will be held.

“This change to the ISDE qualifier process is being made to improve rider turnout,” said AMA Director of Racing Michael Pelletier, “by attempting to reduce conflict between other national, regional and local events, while also decreasing travel expenses.”

The three-day events will feature ISDE-style sprint layouts and higher speeds, and will also offer racers a better overview of ISDE time keeping and technical inspection in an effort to better prepare U.S. riders to compete on the world stage.

The East Coast Three-Day Qualifier will be held Feb. 25-27 at Carolina Adventure World in Winnsboro, S.C., and hosted by AMA U.S. Sprint Enduro.

The West Coast Three-Day Qualifier takes place March 10-12 at Knolls Recreation Area in Utah and will be hosted by the Utah Motorcycle Off-Road Racing Association.

Visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/isde for more details and additional ISDE information.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team set to Defend AFT Singles Championship in 2023

From KTM

 A new racing season is underway in 2023 and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Flat Track team has been hard at work preparing for the upcoming American Flat Track Championship. Reigning AFT Singles Champion, Kody Kopp, will proudly display the No. 1 plate aboard his KTM 450 SX-F in 2023 as he returns to defend his first title in the class, alongside fierce championship contender and teammate, Max Whale.

With Kopp leading the charge in 2022, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing duo amassed eight race-wins and 10 podium finishes in AFT Singles competition, delivering two top-five finishes in the overall championship standings. For the now 18-year-old Kopp, championship management was in full effect through the latter half of the year, and he did what he needed to do to clinch his first-career title in his first year with the team. Showcasing impressive speed and skill across all tracks and racing conditions, Kopp has his sights set on upping the ante in 2023.

Kody Kopp: “The 2023 season is here and so are the new KTM 450 SX-Fs! I am really liking the new bike and I am confident we are going to pick up right where we left off in 2022, with winning the AFT Singles Championship. It’s the first time in my career that I will get to run the #1 plate and I don’t have plans on letting go of it anytime soon.”

Heading into his third year with the team, Whale looks to build upon his strong showing in the first two seasons aboard the KTM 450 SX-F. The aussie came out swinging in 2022, finishing on the podium in four of the first five races, before a mid-season knee injury kept him off the grid for two rounds. Clawing his way back to the center of the podium with a significant win at the Peoria TT, Whale finished the season strong with a top-five overall.

Max Whale: “The 2023 season, what’s there not to be excited for? The team is on the all-new and improved 2023 KTM 450 SX-F. We have the same team as last year, so I’m super excited. Kody and I had a great year last year, we were both inside the top five with Kody winning the championship. Missing a few rounds definitely hurt my overall points, but needless to say, our team was the most dominant singles team there was. To say I’m more than excited for next year is an understatement. I’m definitely working as hard as I can, and I just want to be on top in 2023. I have one goal for next year and that’s to win the championship.”

Chris Fillmore: “Our plan remains the same for 2023 – to win races and take the championship. We had a very successful 2022 season in terms of race results, which is something for our entire team to be proud of. We expect that the other teams will be working even harder, so it will not come easily for us, but we will take what was learned from the past season and push forward. Kody will now be starting his sophomore season on the team with the confidence and expectation to lead the pack. Max, without the mid-season injury would have finished second overall in 2022, and I know his focus is set on the top spot. We’re moving to a newest generation KTM 450 SX-F for 2023 and from early tests, the riders feel that this bike is better in every way for Flat Track. So, only time will tell, but we will work hard over the winter break and anxiously await the start of the season in Daytona.”

For more information on the American Flat Track Championship, please visit their website www.americanflattrack.com.

BUSINESS

Honda Announces Diverse Range of Returning Motorcycle Models

From American Honda

January 10, 2023 — ALPHARETTA, Georgia

• Eight 2023 models included in first announcement of new calendar year
• Sport, standard, adventure, dual sport and cruiser categories represented

In its first product announcement of the new calendar year, American Honda confirmed the return of eight motorcycle models across the sport, standard, adventure, dual sport and cruiser categories. Each of the eight returning models is capable of delivering a wide range of riding experiences, and taken as a whole, the group highlights the diversity of Honda's motorcycle offerings.

With a deserved reputation for delivering value-focused but adrenaline-inducing fun, the CBR650R and CBR500R sport bikes are back, as are the CB1000R, CB650R and CB500F naked bikes. Extending the value-conscious theme to riders who enjoy venturing beyond the pavement's end, the CB500X adventure bike and XR650L dual-sport machine are remarkably capable models. Meanwhile, the Fury continues its tradition of head-turning head style with an iconic V-twin sound, for the ultimate cruiser experience.

CB1000R

Known as much for its eye-catching design as its versatility, the CB1000R touts both flair and function. Aggressive on the road and in the parking lot, this naked bike stops traffic on coffee-shop runs, but its powerful engine and nimble handling make it a great choice for the canyons as well.

• MSRP: $12,999
• Color: Black
• Available: February
• Info

CBR650R

Few experiences can match ripping through a canyon on a sport bike, and the CBR650R delivers that thrill to a wide spectrum of riders. To achieve the ideal mix of practicality and performance, this model has a high-quality Showa Separate Function Big Piston fork, stylish aesthetics and up-to-date emissions technology. With a finely tuned chassis delivering light, responsive handling, and a high-revving inline four-cylinder engine that offers enjoyable power, the middleweight CBR650R is exciting to ride and a pleasure to own, a gratifying intersection of values for the modern sport bike rider.

• MSRP: $9,899
• Color: Grand Prix Red
• Available: February
• Info

CB650R

Honda has a long history of creating iconic middleweight standards, and that continues with the CB650R. Featuring a Showa Separate Function Big Piston fork, excellent emissions performance, stylish aesthetics and comfortable ergonomics, this middleweight model is ideally suited for everything from daily commutes to weekend outings on canyon backroads. A naked bike with looks that match its impressive performance, the CB650R touts ample power and a smooth delivery.

• MSRP: $9,399
• Color: Matte Gray Metallic
• Available: February
• Info

CBR500R

The CBR500R has become a staple for riders looking for the excitement of a sportbike in a smaller package. Featuring aggressive CBR styling and a snappy, parallel-twin-cylinder engine, the lightweight CBR500R is a sensible fit for everyone from beginners looking for their first bike to veteran riders seeking a fun ride, as it delivers unmatched fun at an affordable price.

• MSRP: $7,299
• Colors: Grand Prix Red; Sword Silver Metallic
• Available: Summer 2023
• Info

CB500F

Honed through decades of iconic Honda CB models, the CB500F has proven itself as an enjoyable and reliable naked bike for veteran and rookie riders alike. Mixing light weight and nimble handling with a smooth power delivery, the CB500F is a capable commuting tool that's also ready for weekend outings or bike nights. Exceptionally versatile, the CB500F is proof that minimalist looks needn't come at a price that breaks the bank.

• MSRP: $6,799
• Color: Matte Gray Metallic
• Available: February
• Info

CB500X

Designed and developed to address the disparate requirements of adventure riding while still delivering exceptional value, the CB500X is an exceptional urban commuter that's also ready for off-road excursions and even canyon-riding outings. The essence of a modern mid-displacement adventure machine, the CB500X is both practical and rewarding to ride, and truly adventure-ready.

• MSRP: $7,299
• Color: Peal Organic Green
• Available: February
• Info

XR650L

A truly legendary machine—thanks in part to its proud Baja heritage—Honda's tried-and-true XR650L continues to be a hit with dual-sport customers. Highly versatile, the model opens doors to adventure on single-track trails, dirt roads and backroads, while also delivering capable and affordable transportation in the city. It's a combination of characteristics that promises to continue the XR650L's popularity for years to come.

• MSRP: $6,999
• Color: White
• Available: January
• Info

FURY

Guaranteed to turn heads with its extreme, chopper-style design, the Fury nonetheless touts characteristics one naturally expects from a Honda—namely, functionality, finish, performance and stellar handling. Riders will appreciate the 1,312cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine that sounds as good as it looks, as well as adjustable front and rear suspension, but what will stop bystanders in their tracks are the hard-tail styling and raked-out front end, which make this cruiser a rolling work of art.

• MSRP: $11,499
• Color: Pearl Yellow
• Available: January
• Info

PIAGGIO GROUP RETURNS TO AIMEXPO WITH STRONGER, MORE DIVERSE PRODUCT PORTFOLIO

From MIC Events

IRVINE, Calif., January 10, 2023 – Piaggio Group Americas is ready to make a statement with its return to AIMExpo 2023, bringing an array of motorcycles and scooters sure to wow the crowd from across its four iconic brands: Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, and Vespa.

“In addition to offering one of the strongest product lineups Piaggio Group has ever delivered, our Marketing, Sales, and Dealer Development teams will be ready to connect with business and industry partners during AIMExpo,” said Marco d’Acunzo, president & CEO, Piaggio Group Americas. “Our industry is evolving fast and we at Piaggio Group are investing into our brands, developing products that excite our customers, and provide new opportunities to our partners to keep growing.”

“We are beyond excited to welcome Piaggio Group back to North America’s largest motorcycle and powersports tradeshow,” said Andre Albert, director of marketing and events at the Motorcycle Industry Council. “Piaggio always has something for every type of rider, whether you enjoy an easy ride around town, an adventurous road trip, or pumping out some serious adrenaline at a track day. Piaggio’s brands are always a hit with our attendees and we look forward to kicking off a successful year in powersports with everyone at AIMExpo 2023.”

For a complete list of exhibitors and to see the 2023 educational offerings, visit www.AIMExpoUSA.com.

Wiseco Support Expanded to Complete Honda HRC Roster for 2023

From Wiseco

After five incredible seasons building its partnership with Team Honda HRC, Wiseco Performance Products is proud to expand its relationship to include collaboration with Honda’s 250SX program in addition to its existing 450SX relationship. This technical partnership focuses on piston development for the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship seasons, which have joined forces to create the 2023 SuperMotocross World Championship.

With over eight decades of performance and racing experience, Wiseco’s first-hand knowledge designing, developing, and manufacturing USA-made performance is a powerful complement to Team Honda HRC’s elite legacy in Supercross and Motocross racing. Wiseco will continue to work closely with the team on piston and engine package research and development services, now expanded to both the Honda CRF450RWE and CRF250R platforms for 2023.

“Team Honda HRC are very excited and proud to have Wiseco become a ‘complete’ team sponsor to include the 250 program as well the 450. Together we have had many successful years already on the 450, and we are ready to take that same success to the 250 class, where a high-performance, high-quality piston is extremely important.”

Coming off a pair of 2022 championships in AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross, now three-time title earner Jett Lawrence is campaigning the 250SX West Class while his brother, Hunter Lawrence will be campaigning the 250SX East Class, where each will be hunting for number one plates aboard their CRF250R machines. Additionally, proven amateur rider, Chance Hymas, will be campaigning select AMA Supercross 250SX West region rounds before competing in his first AMA Pro Motocross season.

Team Honda HRC’s 450SX class efforts are led by Chase Sexton, who has entered his third AMA Supercross season aboard the CRF450RWE and is coming off a season filled with championship-contending performances, as well as riding for the winning Team USA effort in the 2022 Motocross of Nations. Also backed by Wiseco, alongside Sexton, will be 2021 250SX East Region Champion Colt Nichols, making his debut in the premier class aboard his number 45 Honda.

“Wiseco is thrilled to be evolving our relationship with Team Honda HRC entering the 2023 season,” explained Wiseco’s Director of Marketing, Scott Highland. “It’s an honor to combine resources for piston development with one of the most recognizable teams in the global powersports industry. Last season showed great success in mutual development with the CRF450R platform, and we are looking forward to building upon that with the CRF250R platform as well.”

The gate drops at the second round of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross series in Oakland on January 14. Find the complete 2023 Supercross schedule here, and check out Team Honda HRC’s official announcement here.

Central Powersports Distribution partners with AJP Motorcycles

From Powersports Business

Central Powersports Distribution (CPD) has announced its agreement to become the new U.S. importer and distributor for AJP Motorcycles of Portugal for 2023 and beyond. Previous importer Jeff Schlagel of Moto AJP USA has made an agreement with CPD to continue handling AJP until the end of February 2023, while CPD continues its efforts to permanently transfer their offices to Texas.

AJP has produced motorcycles in Portugal since 1987 when longtime Enduro legend Antonio Pinto designed and built a 125cc 2-stroke enduro bike. Throughout the years, AJP has transformed into durable, reliable and cost-effective 4-stroke trail bikes. AJP now offers a full range of enduro-leisure motorcycles, from the beginner-friendly SPR240 to the adventure-ready PR7 650.

READ ENTIRE POST HERE - https://powersportsbusiness.com/top-stories/2023/01/10/central-powersports-distribution-partners-with-motorcycle-company/

Lube-Tech appoints CEO

From Powersports Business

Lube-Tech’s leadership transition plan leads to the hire of CEO Chad Baker. The president role was formerly held by Eric Jackson for 19 years.

“We have been so lucky to have Eric’s passion for the business, love for people, endless energy and leadership guiding us, and are excited for him to be able to retire and enter the next chapter of his life,” said Chris and Marna Bame, Lube-Tech founders. “In June, we began an external search for a replacement that was focused on finding a new leader who embodied our purpose and values and would help take us to the next level. In October, we added Chad Baker to our Lube-Tech family as our CEO.”

READ ENTIRE POST HERE - https://powersportsbusiness.com/top-stories/2023/01/10/lube-tech-appoints-ceo/

Tucker Powersports Hires Sharma as VP of Sales

Tucker Powersports today named Prnuv Sharma to the role of VP of Sales. Sharma joins Tucker after twelve years at Abbott Laboratories, following his previous roles with Valvoline Inc. and Classic Automotive Group in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.

Sharma was most recently the Marketing Director for Abbott Laboratories’ Pedialyte business, the fastest growing brand in the company’s nutrition business unit. In his time at Abbott, he held senior roles in Sales Management, Global Strategy, and Brand Management for Abbott’s consumer brands, delivering growth in sales and market share in each case. Earlier in his career, Sharma was the General Manager of a Nissan dealership that was part of the Classic Automotive Group, which owns several dealerships in the Cleveland area.

Sharma is an avid automotive and racing enthusiast. He holds an SCCA recreational racing license and enjoys spending time on the weekends driving at Autocross events.

“Moving into powersports connects me to my passion for power, performance and the beauty of a well-designed vehicle,” said Sharma.

“I’ve had a retailer’s mentality since early in my career and that’s helped me succeed with the global brands that I’ve been part of,” he continued. “I’m anxious to get to know my team at Tucker and spend time with the dealers that drive our success.”

“Prnuv’s background in sales leadership and employee development in dealerships and in large organizations makes him ideal for Tucker’s VP of Sales role,” said Tucker President and CEO Marc McAllister. “He understands the importance of brands, has a passion for fast vehicles and will be able to lead our team of dedicated sales reps in their support of our brands and the products we distribute.”

Sharma joined Tucker on January 1, 2023 and is preparing his sales team for AIMExpo in February. He will be relocating to the Fort Worth area with his family.

Yamaha, KTM Group Head to AIMExpo to Connect with Dealers

Two more manufacturing powerhouses, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., and KTM North America, Inc. will be joining AIMExpo, February 15-17 in Las Vegas, bringing their products and team members to engage with dealers from across the country.

“Dealers are the lifeblood of our industry,” said Andre Albert, director of marketing and events at the Motorcycle Industry Council, “And manufacturers know that the best way help businesses grow and thrive is to connect, in-person, with those who represent their products daily to customers.”

Yamaha and KTM — along with its Husqvarna, GasGas, and MV Agusta brands — will be exhibiting on AIMExpo’s 250,000-plus square-feet of show space.

They will join major manufacturers including:

• Kawasaki
• Moto Morini
• Piaggio Group, with Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, and Vespa
• SSR
• Suzuki
• Triumph

“There is no better opportunity than this for dealers and manufacturers alike to network, learn, and plan for profitability,” Albert said. “Major aftermarket brands, distributors, data and financial companies, services, marketing companies, and industry leaders will all be here in one place. Not to mention we’ll have AIMExpo’s Disruptive Thinking Education series that will offer plenty of actionable ideas that can be put to use immediately.”

For a list of exhibitors, go to www.AIMExpoUSA.com.

Register now to attend the biggest and most important powersports trade show in North America:

ABOUT AIMEXPO AND THE MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY COUNCIL

AIMExpo, the premier powersports trade event, is produced by the Motorcycle Industry Council. MIC exists to preserve, protect, and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications, media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, data communications standards, and involvement in technical and regulatory issues. As a not-for-profit national industry association, the MIC seeks to support motorcyclists by representing manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and retailers of motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, ROVs, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts, accessories, and related services, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies, and consultants. The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office in metropolitan Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Keep up with the industry association on Twitter @followMICand at MIC.org.

Ducati reports 2022 as record year

From Powersports Business

Ducati has reported that in 2022 it closed a record of 61,562 motorcycles delivered to enthusiasts around the world. Sales grew by 3.6 percent over 2021 and 28 percent over 2020.

"This sales result is the outcome of the path that sees us investing in continuous improvement and growth,” said Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati. “For the second consecutive year, we registered record deliveries, exceeding 60,000 motorcycles for the first time in our history. Ducati is an increasingly global company, ambassador of Made in Italy in the world, and these positive results make us truly proud. In the sporting field, we have won everything we could aspire to, bringing home the Triple Crown in both MotoGP and WorldSBK. An unprecedented achievement that has written a historic page in motorcycling and will remain forever engraved in the hearts of all Ducatisti. The year 2023 will see the debut in the MotoE championship of the first electric Ducati ever produced. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the women and men who work at Ducati in Borgo Panigale and in subsidiaries around the world, because without their dedication and commitment all the successes achieved by the company would not have been possible."

READ THE ENTIRE POST HERE - https://powersportsbusiness.com/top-stories/2023/01/12/ducati-reports-2022-as-record-year/