WSX brings Brazil on board

With 595 Racing, the FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) confirms its next addition for 2026. A team from Brazil, built up through ArenaCross and national Supercross series, now on its way to a global championship.

At first glance, this fits quite well into the series' narrative. Growth. Internationalization. New markets. Exactly what one wants to see. But if you take a step back, the picture changes.

The original plan – and what's left of it

When the series launched in 2022, the structure was clearly defined. Ten teams. Four drivers per team. Two classes, neatly divided. A system designed to suggest stability. That was the starting point.

Just two years later, only seven teams remained at the starting gate. There was little public discussion, but internally it was a clear turning point. Not only because three teams were missing, but also because the original balance was lost. And that's precisely where 595 Racing's entry comes in.

More replacement than expansion?

Officially, it's a new team. Unofficially, a different question arises: Will the field actually grow – or simply be restructured? Because it's currently unclear whether all the teams from the 2025 season will also be back in 2026. In other words: It's quite possible that 595 Racing represents less growth and more stabilization.

One team joins, another leaves – and in the end, the number remains the same. This isn't a criticism. Rather, it's a sober assessment.

Brazil as a building block – not as a coincidence

Regardless, the move to South America makes sense. 595 Racing brings exactly what the series has lacked so far: effective access to a market that has been largely invisible in Supercross. Brazil has a scene, riders, and events – but rarely a direct connection at the World Championship level.

It is being created now.

The team itself didn't come out of nowhere. Five years of development, national Supercross titles, ArenaCross successes, several manufacturer partnerships. At some point, you inevitably reach the point where the next step makes sense. With KTM as an official partner behind them, it becomes more than just an experiment.

Structure is the real issue.

And yet, the real story isn't about Brazil. It's about the structure of the series. The WSX has been trying for years to build a stable model: teams that stay, programs that grow, and a field that doesn't need to be rebuilt every year.

This has only worked to a limited extent so far. The entry of 595 Racing is therefore important – not because it expands the field, but because it helps to maintain it at a certain level.

A look into the paddock

The crucial question will only be answered shortly before the season starts. How many teams will actually be at the starting gate?
Will it stay at seven? Will an eighth be added? Or will we see another shift within the existing field?

The WSX remains an ambitious project. Globally minded, clearly positioned, with the aim of being a genuine alternative to existing structures. But this very ambition repeatedly clashes with reality. Teams come. Teams go. Programs change. And every new project has to prove itself. 595 Racing has everything it takes to do just that: structure, results, support. This is not a short-term solution.

But it's only one part of the overall picture.

What 2026 will really show

In the end, the 2026 season will be less about how well a new team functions – but rather about how stable the series as a whole is.

Will the field remain constant? Will existing programs evolve? Or will this slight imbalance between aspiration and implementation persist? 595 Racing It's a step forward. No question. But it's also one that shows the series is still finding its own rhythm.

Eli's Back!

If you’re an Eli Tomac fan—and these days who isn’t?—we’ve got news you’ll want to hear. Red Bull KTM announced today that the two-time Monster Energy Supercross Champion will return for his home-state race this weekend in Denver, Colorado. Tomac, who led the points early in this year’s campaign, crashed out of practice in Cleveland and was suffering from a sore hip that kept him out of that race and the next round in Philadelphia. Can he rebound all the way back to the podium? Get in the mix with the title fighters Hunter Lawrence and Ken Roczen? He will at least, most definitely, get huge cheers.

ANOTHER MUDDER...2026 PHILADELPHIA SX

Hunter In It to Win It!!

Hunter Lawrence stays positive after Philadelphia Supercross

Despite a crash that cost him the points lead, Hunter Lawrence is staying positive heading into the final two rounds of the Supercross season just four points behind Ken Roczen.

Lawrence said: ““We invested a lot more time into the starts in wet conditions, and that was a big positive this weekend; I had good starts in the heat race and the main event, so it’s good to see the work pay off. I felt really good with how I was riding, and just the smallest little mistake in the wrong part of the track bit me. Then your gloves are all muddy, so it’s just kind of trying to get back into a rhythm and not have the train completely come off the tracks. They say mud is the great equalizer, but it’s more like a minefield. We didn’t quite get the end result we wanted, but that’s racing. I’m excited to leave here having learned more, so we’re ready for whatever the last two rounds bring—it’s going to be good!”

Lawrence also enjoyed the fact it was the first three in the championship who managed to come out of turns one 1-2-3 and admitted he wasn’t afraid to show Roczen a wheel as he was feeling so good until the crash: “Yeah, just showing the wheel. I mean, I was there. I feel like I had a really comfortable rhythm and stuff. It was coming easy to me and I felt like we were in a good spot, I think, for how chaotic the start gate area is and how much of a swamp the start straight looks like. I think it’s pretty it’s cool the top three in the championship find themselves at the front. Of all the possible outcomes that can happen out of the first turn.”

Team manager, Lars Lindstrom, is also looking at the positive believing the points deficit helps simplify things: “Not the results we were aiming for, but as everyone knows, in these conditions, anything can happen, good or bad; to only lose five points is something we’ll look at positively. I’m really happy with Hunter and the team for understanding what we needed to improve to make sure that we get good starts in any condition, to give us the best chance at a win. It’s a bummer that Hunter had that tip-over, because he had a good flow going; I think he had a great chance at winning that race. Another positive is that this simplifies things; we have to go out and win the last two races if we want to win this championship.”

SuperCross...What's Next?

Post: Kane Taylor

The topics that matter most following 14 rounds of season 2026.

Three rounds remain in the 2026 Monster Energy Supercross Championship, with a single point separating Hunter Lawrence and Ken Roczen atop the 450SX standings, while the 250SX East division also remains unresolved. It has been a highly entertaining season so far, with MotoOnline answering a series of topical questions in this edition of Q&A.

Image: Octopi Media.

Q: Flip a coin! Ken Roczen or Hunter Lawrence for this 450SX crown?

A: It is indeed a flip of the coin! These two – with the inclusion of Red Bull KTM’s Eli Tomac until his Cleveland non-finish – have yo-yoed throughout the 2026 series, which points to just how difficult it is to manage 17 rounds of racing. There is always an overarching theme that emerges each season – in 2025, it was Cooper Webb’s in-it-to-win-it approach – whereas this year, it appears to be all about strategically managing your races, and understanding when momentum is, and is not, on your side. For instance, Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence caught fire between Arlington and Birmingham, posting 1-2-1-1 scores and increasing his lead to nine points over Tomac, and 31 over Roczen (Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki). Then it was Roczen’s turn to catch fire, with the German recording 1-1-3-1 results from Detroit to Cleveland, which sees the pair separated by a single point entering Philadelphia this weekend. It has set up one of the most intriguing showdowns in recent years, as each rider targets a first 450SX title.

Q: Is the west coast definitely the best coast in 250SX this year?

A: Well, Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) has been the standout 250SX rider this year, and he happens to be on the west coast. At the last Showdown in St. Louis, six of the top 10 came from the east, with the remaining four from the west, suggesting the eastern division does carry depth and competitiveness. The problem, again, is Deegan, who has utterly dominated this year’s western regional series, wrapping up his second title with two rounds to spare after claiming six of a possible eight wins, and if not for a one-position penalty in Birmingham, he would be seven from eight. So the answer is that Dangerboy has been a step above every other 250SX rider in 2026, with his Supercross skills clearly refined throughout the pre-season. The 20-year-old looks ready for the premier class, and his arrival would not be to simply take part – it would be to chase more number one plates for the trophy cabinet, and the 450SX field should be on notice.

Q: Does Eli Tomac go around again in 2027?

A: This is a tough one, because if we go back to January, the entire sport was singing the praises of two-time 450SX champion Tomac as it was his turn to deliver back-to-back victories at A1 and San Diego, while further P1 finishes at Seattle and Daytona had him firmly in the championship battle. He now sits clear in second on the all-time 450SX wins list with 57 victories, 15 shy of Jeremy McGrath’s record of 72, with murmurs at the time suggesting that mark may even be within reach. Anyway, much of this depends on where Tomac and KTM are positioned on their respective timelines for 2027 and beyond, with the Austrian manufacturer needing to weigh how it balances the present – which is Tomac – against the future, likely centred around the ultra-talented Lucas and Sacha Coenen, while also having Jorge Prado, Aaron Plessinger and Julien Beaumer to consider. That leaves an air of uncertainty, given the 33-year-old was only on a one-year deal for 2026, and you can be sure KTM would not want to jeopardize retaining either Coenen brother by failing to facilitate their ambitions of competing in America. There are more questions than answers at this stage, so ultimately, we will have to wait and see. The more immediate point is whether he is on track in Philly this weekend!

Q: Has Justin Cooper established himself as the best of the rest?

A: JCoop is an underrated player in this game, with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider featuring at the front regularly, although he still seems to be battling for recognition among the division’s top-tier names. He has undoubtedly delivered across the past two seasons and currently sits fifth in the 450SX standings with three podium finishes to his credit, in addition to a further five top-five results. He does occupy a form of no man’s land, however, with 233 points to his name, while Tomac is a further 22 up the road, and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Chase Sexton sits 53 markers behind. One thing about Cooper is that he does not seem to create much drama – he is widely respected on track – and steadily, he is establishing himself as one of the division’s genuine front-runners. So yes, he is the best of the rest and is on the verge of moving even higher..

Q: What can we take from Cooper Webb’s tough title defense?

A: Strangely, Cooper Webb has been a touch un-Cooper Webb-like in 2026. Both he and Roczen were facing much the same deficit exiting Birmingham, with Roczen responding the following week in Detroit by delivering P1 and capitalizing on Hunter Lawrence’s 18th-place result. That same round, Webb was on the rear wheel of the number 94 during the early stages, before an ill-timed pass attempt on Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) left the pair on the ground. He described it as a bonehead move, and really, there was little need for it with so much racing remaining. Webb recorded P6 that night, when second place looked the minimum outcome. With the number of points both Tomac and Lawrence have conceded through the middle and latter stages of the season, the defending champion would ordinarily be right back in the fight – as Roczen is – but that simply has not been the case. So perhaps it can be put down to impatience? Again, the season has not followed Webb’s usual arc, although he remains in the mix at 22 points down and is not someone to count out until it is truly over.

Q: Can Chase Sexton build further heading into Pro Motocross?

A: If you are both Sexton and Monster Energy Kawasaki, you would hope so. The 26-year-old has often appeared sensitive to bike set-up regardless of where he has raced, and now it seems he has landed at a team – and on a platform – where that genuinely may be a factor. Consider how much better Prado has looked at KTM compared to his struggles on the KX450SR, while Jason Anderson is the only rider in recent memory to have consistently delivered top-tier results at Kawasaki, with much of that success coming in 2022. You have to look back to the Tomac era at Team Green for genuine multi-year title contention, with both Sexton and Kawasaki eager to snap that streak and return to the forefront of the division, as both Tomac and Ryan Villopoto once did. So can Sexton continue to build into Pro Motocross? Sure, but perhaps it is more of a project than the former 450MX and 450SX champion anticipated, given it has been some time since Kawasaki has legitimately challenged the likes of KTM, Yamaha, and Honda at the very front on a consistent basis.

Round 15 Philadelphia

Tusk Blitz Titanium Moto Foot Pegs

Details

The Tusk Blitz Titanium Moto Foot Pegs have been designed for performance-seeking dirt bike riders. The seamless, single-piece pegs are crafted from aerospace-grade 6Al-4V titanium, keeping them exceptionally lightweight, strong, and corrosion-resistant. Unlike traditional welded titanium foot pegs, our advanced cast design offers enhanced weight shedding and durability by eliminating unnecessary material and weak points associated with welded joints. The precise cast construction also allows for optimal design features, including 360 degrees of mud-shedding edges (no flat surfaces), aggressive cleats that can be sharpened, and ultra-strong mounting brackets. The wide peg platform design helps reduce foot fatigue and deliver more traction, allowing you to ride with control and confidence for longer.

• 6Al-4V aerospace-grade titanium foot pegs.
• Cast construction forms seamless single piece pegs for improved weight shedding and durability over welded alternatives.
• Mud shedding design helps clear mud and debris for consistent traction.
• Aggressive cleat pattern can be sharpened to rider’s preference.
• Wide peg platform enhances stability and control while reducing foot fatigue on long rides.
• Rust-proof and corrosion-resistant to withstand all weather conditions.
• Durable PVD (Ion Plating) coating for that factory finish.
• Shot-peened with a metal brushed outside face.
• Comes with both left and right foot pegs.
• Peg platform dimensions: 100mm (4") x 58mm (2.3")

Cairoli – up to four Pro Motocross starts in the area

Antonio Cairoli plans to compete in up to four races in the 2026 Pro Motocross season.

The idea is on the table, but nothing's decided yet: Antonio Cairoli could compete in the USA again this summer. At the MXGP of Trentino, he himself confirmed that up to four appearances in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship are possible. However, nothing is set in stone.

And that actually fits the current situation quite well.

More than just a trip to the USA

The trip to the USA was not a short visit, a PR event, or a nostalgia trip. It was for work. Together with Factory Connection, tests were conducted, comparisons were made, and above all, an attempt was made to better understand the current package.

This broader perspective is particularly important for Ducati. The tracks in the USA are different, the riding style is often more aggressive, starts have a different significance, and rhythm sections are crucial. These are things that can only be simulated to a limited extent in traditional testing.

Progress, but no answers yet.

Internally, there's a consensus that the motorcycle has taken a step forward. More power, better tuning – especially in areas that carry more weight in the US format.

But this is precisely where it gets interesting: progress in testing is one thing. Confirmation in the race is something else entirely.

And that's precisely why the US option even arises in the first place.

Cairoli remains the fixed point

Regardless of whether he himself competes, Cairoli remains a key figure in the project. A lot is coming together at the Red Bull Ducati Factory MXGP Team, but not everything is running smoothly yet.

With Calvin Vlaanderen, Andrea Bonacorsi, and Jeremy Seewer, the structure is in place, but consistency is still lacking. Seewer, in particular, demonstrates how delicate the interplay between rider and motorcycle currently is. Cairoli is less the man for the headlines and more the one who helps determine the team's direction from behind the scenes.

Racing as the next step

Should there be a launch in the US, it won't be a comeback in the traditional sense. It's not about "showing he can do it again." Rather, it's about gathering data, testing processes, and seeing the whole package under real-world conditions.

Races often provide the most honest answers, especially when a project is still under development.

Decision? Still open.

Whether Cairoli will actually race in the USA currently depends on several factors – the timeline, the stage of development, and how things unfold in the coming weeks. The option is on the table. But that's all.

But one thing is already clear: if Ducati takes this step, it's not for show. It's because they're looking for answers that they can't get through training and MXGP alone.

Eli Tomac – The title was within reach, yet unattainable.

Eli Tomac sits out the Philadelphia Supercross, thus missing his hopes for a third title.

Up until Cleveland, everything pointed to Eli Tomac finally realizing his long-held wish this season: races where he was there exactly when it mattered. And above all, the feeling that the overall picture was increasingly turning in his favor.

His title fight ends precisely at this stage.

Following his crash in Cleveland qualifying, Tomac will not be starting the next Monster Energy AMA Supercross round in Philadelphia. Medically, he has received good news – no fractures. From a sporting perspective, this changes little. The timing is more significant than the diagnosis.

A season that went in his direction

Until a few weeks ago, this was also his championship. Perhaps not dominant in the classic sense, but always with the title in mind. Four wins, plus podium finishes – and above all, the feeling that he could react at any time when it mattered.

The picture became even clearer after Daytona. While others wavered, Tomac remained consistent. Even minor setbacks didn't really throw him off course. In Nashville, the familiar pattern emerged again: fast in qualifying, convincing in the heat. This was no coincidence. This was a driver who knew exactly when to deliver.

And then, within minutes, everything changes. The main event spirals out of control – a bad start, a crash, only twelfth place. Suddenly there's a deficit that wasn't there before. But nothing that can't be corrected.

Cleveland should provide the answer.

In qualifying, Tomac was near the front and on course. Then came the mistake in the whoops. No spectacular high-speed crash, no obvious trigger – just one moment, but it was enough. And suddenly everything came to a standstill again. Persistent hip problems knocked the 33-year-old out of the title fight.

The third title remains an open chapter.

It's this repetition that sticks in your mind. In 2023, the Achilles tendon injury, just before the title. In 2024, the next setback, just as he was working his way back to the top. Now, in 2026 – again at a point where he had the momentum on his side.

You could call it bad luck. Or it could be part of the sport. Supercross doesn't allow for any gray areas. You're either in – or you're out. And even if you do everything right, one small moment is all it takes to negate months of hard work.

KTM as proof – not as a question mark

This season also revealed something else. The move to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing worked. No settling-in period, no visible adjustment phase. Tomac was competitive from the very first race. Starts, speed, and race intelligence – the overall picture was spot on. Especially on a bike that doesn't immediately suit every rider, that was a clear signal.

He is still at the level to win titles.

Between the present and what is yet to come

The decision to skip Philadelphia is therefore no surprise. At this stage, it's no longer about forcing anything. The focus is on recovery – and on what comes next. Because the AMA Pro Motocross Championship is just around the corner. A different format, different demands, different opportunities.

The season starts again from scratch there.

What will remain of the 2026 AMA Supercross season?

In the end, a familiar picture remains. Tomac was, at times, the driver to beat. The one who set the pace when everything came together.

And once again, this phase is interrupted.

It's not a performance issue. Not a structural deficit. Rather, it's a series of moments that always occur when the title seems within reach. A third Supercross title? Still possible. But postponed once again.

By Ralph Marzahn  April 24, 2026

Roger DeCoster..."The Man"

From MXLarge.com

MXlarge caught up with De Coster and asked him about his career and more importantly how he felt about the famous Namur circuit in Belgium.

Q: Roger, what was one of the things you enjoy the most about racing on the FIM World Motocross Championship?

De Coster: I enjoyed racing in front of a lot of people and I felt it gave me more energy, the more people, the more energy. I think very few riders today understand that they can use the crowd to get extra energy. Ken Roczen for such a young kid, he understands that and he is good at it. Also (Antonio) Cairoli does that, but many riders overlook that. I think some get nervous from it. I won’t say I wasn’t nervous at the races, but as soon as the race stopped it was gone.

Obviously Namur was your favorite circuit, you won there on many occasions.

The first time I went to Namur I rode my bicycle from my house in Brussels. It was like 45 miles and I was 13 years old. My parents didn’t know I did that, it was the year Rene Baeten won the World Championship, it was so exciting. I hadn’t travelled much, I didn’t know where the race track was, went by the sound, the guys were practicing and you heard the 4-strokes echoing through the woods and when they shut off, it was like a really unique sound. Also the smell, everyone used Castrol oil and I can still imagine that feeling today, it was some great memories.

And of course you got to win there on many occasions, like seven or something?

Then to race at Namur and to win there, really great memories. After that first visit to Namur, I always dreamt I wanted to race there, and then I got to race there and I always thought it couldn’t happen, it’s too big a thing to achieve to win there. One thing told me I could do it, and another thing told me I couldn’t do it. It all happened and I am very thankful.

Why was Namur special?

Namur, it is kind of like Monte Carlo for Formula 1 or Wimbledon for Tennis, it was the kind of place with all the history. Such a different course to what we were used to. Some riders looked at it as a demanding track, but other riders looked at it as a place where you could make a big difference. If you set-up your bike correctly, that could make all the difference. I loved Namur, the feeling and the ambience.