Anstie And Yamaha Part Ways

After signing and multi-year deal back in 2024, Max Anstie and the Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha team have mutually agreed to part ways, effective immediately. Anstie looks to defend his championship in the FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) and it looks like the Yamaha program wasn’t willing to accommodate that request. This announcement comes during the midst of the 2026 Pro Motocross Championship where Anstie has yet to complete a round after crashing during qualifying at round one at Fox Raceway in Pala, California.

“I’m proud of everything that I achieved with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing,” Anstie said. “It was a dream of mine to ride for the team. We shared a lot of success and I’d like to thank them for all the hard work and great memories over the last two years. I’m excited for my next chapter and what the future holds.”

Tom Vialle Unfiltered

Lawrences - Down Time

Behind The Gate

Barcia back as Cairoli returns to Red Bud for Ducati!

Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing is set for a packed Fourth of July weekend as the team heads to Red Bud for Round 5 of the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championship with a full roster, welcoming back Justin Barcia while adding nine-time MXGP World Champion Tony Cairoli under the awning.

After missing the High Point National, Justin Barcia will return to the starting gate aboard his Ducati Desmo450 MX. The fan favorite sustained a mild back injury during the opening moto at Thunder Valley, forcing him to sit out Moto 2 and later decided to miss High Point entirely to allow additional time for recovery.

“I am stoked to be back especially for Red Bud on the 4th of July,” said Justin Barcia. “I tweaked my back at Thunder Valley and was experiencing some spasms. So, we decided to capitalize on the weekend off after High Point and decided to sit out High Point to give me some extra time to heal up. But I’m back, ready to get behind the gate, and have some fun celebrating the 4th of July at Red Bud.”

The Red Bud National will also mark the addition of one of motocross’ greatest legends to the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing lineup. Nine-time MXGP World Champion Tony Cairoli will join the team for three rounds of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, competing at Red Bud, Southwick, and Spring Creek.

Cairoli’s relationship with both Troy Lee Designs and Ducati runs deep. The Italian legend played a significant role in the early development and testing of Ducati’s Desmo450 project, helping shape the motorcycle from its earliest stages into the race-winning machine it is today.

Cairoli also competed in two rounds of the 2025 AMA Pro Motocross Championship, racing Red Bud and Spring Creek as a Ducati ambassador before the manufacturer established an official U.S. factory effort. With Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing now serving as Ducati’s official AMA Pro Motocross team, the opportunity to bring Cairoli into the factory program for three rounds represents a special addition to the team’s 2026 campaign.

“For these three rounds I’m pretty pumped because last year I had good times [racing Red Bud and Spring Creek] and this year the bike is in a much better spot with improvements and development,” said Tony Cairoli. “I think it will be nice to line up for these three rounds and see those bike improvements in a race scenario. I am familiar with the tracks from last year [Red Bud, Southwick, and Millville] and I’m excited to see all the American fans again, I felt welcome last year and I’m excited to do it again this year.”

With the addition of Tony Cairoli alongside the returning Justin Barcia and the team’s full-time effort, Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing will field three riders in the 450 class in the US for the first time in the team’s history. The expanded lineup marks another milestone in Ducati’s growing presence in American motocross as the team heads into one of the sport’s most iconic events at Red Bud.

Stewart vs. Carmichael

James Stewart on Ricky Carmichael and moving to the premier class

Stewart had something to prove that went beyond racing motorcycles, but that need to win made him ride over his head all too often. You can't win if you crash, regardless of how fast you can ride a few laps at a time. Carmichael was fast and consistent so outpacing him for a few laps wasn't going to cut it. Stewart kind of started acting weird anyway, probably because of the fame, money, injuries and failure to secure more championships. Luckily, he settled down and is what we see today.

Seth Hammaker Out For Season

Not the news anyone wanted to hear following a brilliant start to the Pro Motocross campaign for Seth Hammaker. Kawasaki announced today that he will be "on the mend for the remainder of the season" following a shoulder injury suffered at High Point. You might recall that Hammaker, who held a share of the red plate coming into the race, looped out and hurt himself early in the second moto at that event.

We assume this long layoff means shoulder surgery again for Seth. He battled through the 2025 season by pushing shoulder surgery into the off season. Bummer ending to a good start.

Kawasaki also added that Enzo Temmerman, who had jumped on board with the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki team from his usual Team Green spot, also hurt his shoulder and will miss RedBud. Temmerman could be back soon, though.

Cooper Webb to World Supercross

Daniel Blair: Why Cooper Webb is the Rider Everyone will be Chasing in World Supercross

Few people in the World Supercross paddock are as enthusiastic about the championship as Daniel Blair. The former racer and current broadcaster admits he's "one of those weird people that gets excited about everything," but when the conversation turns to the title contenders for 2026, his excitement becomes particularly focused on one rider: Cooper Webb.

For Blair, Webb enters the season as the benchmark, despite the 30-year-old having made his debut in the Championship in 2025. Webb, who joined up with the series as a Wildcard entrant for the Australian GP, is coming back – and this time it is for the full season.

“I think Cooper Webb joining the series is going to be really awesome because he showed up last year, was really good, but you could tell that he was just feeling out the series and the format,” says Blair.

“Yes, he’s done three-race formats before, but with the points escalation and just the way they do it with the different times, I think that was cool to see. To have him back for the entire Championship is awesome. He’s a multi-time champion, one of the greats in the sport. And to see him seeking out this Championship and wanting to be there is awesome.”

To have him back for the entire championship is awesome. He’s a multi-time champion, one of the greats in the sport.

As World Supercross continues to grow, attracting top riders and teams from around the globe, the schedule presents a unique challenge. Logistics, different time zones and each track being totally unique tests the very best.

“I think one of the coolest parts of the series is the changing in environment,” says Blair, who joined the Championship’s broadcast team last year. “We went from cold to hot to cold back and forth. For the riders, though, it is super challenging because your body changes completely, like, within a couple days,” Blair said. “But they’re professionals. They’ve been through this. And if you ask them, they’ll say it was challenging but accomplishable.”
This season’s schedule kicks off in Calgary, Canada, on 8th August before embarking on a global tour containing some of the best riders in the world – with more to be announced. The uncertainty keeps everyone guessing.

“I’m looking forward to seeing that release when it comes out, who’s going where, where the battles are going to be, and how that’s going to interfere with the championship,” Blair adds. “It was cool to see the guys that were in it for the entire series having to deal with these superstars that showed up as Wildcards, and it ended up making for great racing and a great Championship.”

I’m looking forward to seeing that release when it comes out, who’s going where, where the battles are going to be, and how that’s going to interfere with the Championship

That dynamic seems perfectly suited to a rider like Webb, who will ride for Rick Ware Racing. Throughout his career, he has consistently excelled in situations where races become tactical and championships become complicated. Rather than relying purely on speed, Webb has built a reputation for finding ways to win when the pressure is highest.

As the championship evolves, Blair is also encouraged by the continued growth of the series itself with a good depth of riders already announced. “I think it’s super important to see the growth of the rosters and the teams,” he said.

“To have a KTM team teaming up with 595 Racing from Brazil and entering the series, that’s great for the series itself and great for the fans too to get all the manufacturers involved. The more growth there, the better for everybody.”

Vialle set for World Supercross 2026 wildcard entry

Honda HRC Petronas MXGP front-runner in for 2026 British Grand Prix.

Image: Supplied.

MXGP front-runner Tom Vialle will make a high-profile debut in the 2026 World Supercross Championship in Birmingham this season, announced as a wildcard entry for the British Grand Prix at Alexander Stadium on October 10.

Vialle, who won a pair of AMA 250SX East titles (2023 and 2024), returned from the US to Europe this season after signing a long-term agreement with Honda HRC Petronas.

It was previously announced last year that the double MX2 world champion would contest the Australian GPs which never eventuated, however, he did make his first HRC start at the annual Paris Supercross this past November – finishing sixth overall.

“I’m really looking forward to racing in Birmingham,” the 25-year-old Frenchman said. “It’s always exciting to compete in a new environment and in front of different fans, and the UK has a strong passion for the sport.

“World Supercross is continuing to grow, and it’s great to be part of it for the first time. I’m ready to get out there and put on a show competing against the world’s elite.”

World Supercross director of racing, Thomas Covington, added: “Tom making his World Supercross debut is hugely exciting. Bringing him in as a wildcard adds real quality to the field in Birmingham and is exactly the kind of opportunity we want to create across the championship. The British GP is shaping up to be a key round on the calendar and this only adds to the level of competition fans can expect.”

Now 10 rounds into his first season of premier class MXGP competition, Vialle currently sits ninth in the standings with a single victory to his credit in Switzerland. He’s also claimed podium results in Argentina – where he won the qualifying race on debut – and Trentino, both in P3.

It’s understood that Vialle’s in the first of an extensive three-year deal at HRC in the Motocross World Championship, with his unique Monster Energy Supercross background keeping him well-placed to crossover into World Supercross beyond his MXGP schedule.

Coenen Watches and Learns from the Best!

Lucas Coenen: "I can learn from the best."

Ralph Marzahn June 30, 2026

Lucas Coenen wanted to win the MXGP of Portugal. The KTM rider left no doubt about that after the race. But when Jeffrey Herlings increased the pressure in the second heat and finally overtook him, Coenen opted for the pragmatic approach: secure points, extend his championship lead, and limit the risk.

In the end, he finished second in the day's standings. No win, but a result that could be almost more valuable in the title race than a forced attack on the Dutchman.

"The key is to drive smartly."

Coenen dominated the weekend for much of the race. The Belgian won the first heat, demonstrating the perfect blend of speed and control that has made him so strong this season. He also led the second heat initially, before Herlings closed the gap.

“The key is to ride cleverly,” Coenen explained after the Grand Prix. That’s exactly what he tried to do. In the first race, his feeling on the bike was very good, and in the second, he wanted to control the situation.

Coenen knew what Herlings needed. "I knew that Jeffrey wanted to win – and that he had to win." For Herlings, what mattered most in Portugal was... the day's victoryFor Coenen, however, it was about the bigger picture.

No unnecessary risks

The decisive moment came when Herlings set up the attack. Coenen later explained that he himself had made a small mistake by not attempting the triple. This allowed Herlings to close the gap. "I thought he was going to come inside, so I slowed down a bit. Then he was very close and I had to react, otherwise I would have been down."

Coenen accepted the maneuver. No big drama, no excuses. Instead, he put the situation into perspective. "That's what we love: good racing." After losing the position, he tried to react again, but didn't push himself to the limit. The Belgian knew that second place would be enough that day.

One more point instead of all or nothing

The decisive factor is the World Cup billAlthough Coenen lost the Grand Prix victory, he still took a one-point lead back from Portugal. For a young rider competing against one of the most successful motocross riders of all time, that's a strong statement. "I didn't lose any points, I gained one," Coenen clarified.

This statement describes his current approach quite accurately. He's not just thinking about the individual race, but about the season as a whole. If you want to become world champion, you don't have to force every race. Sometimes it's enough to avoid the damage and let the opponent do the work.

Learn from the best

Coenen's perspective on Herlings was particularly noteworthy. The Belgian knows that the Honda rider improves his statistics with every victory. For him, something else matters. "Jeffrey keeps pushing his numbers higher. I don't care about my statistics. I want to be smart."

Coenen has a realistic view of his situation. He's young, leads the world championship, and is competing against riders who have known how to win titles for years. "I'm young, I have to learn. And I can learn from the best."

It is precisely this attitude that makes his second place in Portugal so valuable. Coenen showed not only speed but also maturity. He could have tried to counter Herlings with all his might. Instead, he secured a result that strengthened his lead in the World Championship standings.

To South Africa with the Red Plate

After Portugal, Coenen travels on with the Red Plate to the next Grand Prix. South Africa will be the third World Championship round within three weeks and will present the next challenge in terms of track, travel and conditions.

When asked what he expected to do there, Coenen replied succinctly and aptly: "Enjoy."

That sounds relaxed, but it also shows how focused the Belgian is right now. He knows the season is long. And he knows that days like the one in Portugal can ultimately decide the championship. A win would have been nicer. Second place might have been more important.