Moto Power Rankings

 Best Riders to Never Win a Premier-Class Supercross Title

by SlawOctober 23, 2026, 7:00 am

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Winning a 450 Supercross championship is hard. Like, really hard. And sometimes, being one of the best riders in the world still isn’t enough. For every Ricky Carmichael or Jeremy McGrath who stacked championships, there’s a long list of ridiculously talented riders who came close but never managed to get their hands on the biggest prize in Supercross.

Some were victims of bad timing, lining up against the most dominant riders the sport has ever seen. Others had injuries derail their best opportunities. And a few? Well, things just never quite fell into place. But not winning a championship doesn’t mean you weren’t championship material.

So, we’re settling the debate. Who are the greatest riders in Supercross history to never win a premier-class title? We’re digging into the history books, looking at wins, consistency, competition, and the good old-fashioned eye test to rank the best to never do it.

And yes, we’re fully expecting some arguments over this one.

5. David Vuillemin

David Vuillemin picked one heck of an era to chase a Supercross championship. The Cobra arrived in America only to find himself going head-to-head with Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael, Chad Reed and some of the greatest riders the sport has ever seen.

Despite the competition, the Frenchman managed seven career victories and twice finished runner-up in the championship. His best opportunity to capture the title came in 2002, when he held a 20-point lead over Carmichael before disaster struck.

During a TransWorld Motocross photo shoot on a weekend off, Vuillemin crashed and suffered a shoulder injury that forced him to miss Daytona. Carmichael took advantage, and what looked like Vuillemin’s best shot at a championship quickly slipped away.

Still, Vuillemin can say something very few riders from that era can: he beat both McGrath and Carmichael straight up for Supercross victories. Not bad company to keep.

4. Ezra Lusk

Imagine reaching the prime of your Supercross career only to discover that Jeremy McGrath had decided to rewrite the record books at the exact same time. Welcome to Ezra Lusk’s world.

The Georgia native moved to the premier class full-time in 1995 and quickly established himself as one of the sport’s top contenders. By 1996, he was third in the championship behind McGrath and Jeff Emig. A year later, he finished third again, this time with Emig taking the title over McGrath.

Then came 1998. Lusk finished runner-up to McGrath. In 1999? Runner-up to McGrath. Again. You starting to notice a trend here?

In all, Yogi collected 12 premier-class Supercross victories and two runner-up championship finishes. He had the speed, the talent and the consistency to win a title. Unfortunately, he just happened to spend his best years racing against the King of Supercross. Take McGrath out of the equation, and we’re probably talking about Lusk as a multi-time champion instead of one of the best to never win it.

3. Marvin Musquin

Another Frenchman. Another incredibly talented rider who spent his prime battling some of the biggest names in Supercross history. Marvin Musquin arrived in the premier class in 2016 after establishing himself as one of the best 250 riders in the world. It didn’t take long for him to become a legitimate championship contender, finishing third in the 450SX standings in 2017.

By 2018, Musquin was firmly in the title picture. He collected multiple wins and finished runner-up to Jason Anderson in Supercross, while also finishing second in the Pro Motocross championship. A year later, he was back in the fight, battling Cooper Webb and Eli Tomac before ultimately finishing third in the 450SX standings.

Unfortunately, that would be his last serious run at the championship. Injuries and missed seasons eventually took their toll, and Musquin’s final Supercross appearance came in 2023. When it was all said and done, Musquin had collected 10 premier-class Supercross victories and established himself as one of the most technically gifted riders of his generation. For a guy who made riding a 450 look so effortless, it’s a little hard to believe he never walked away with the biggest prize.

2: Damon Bradshaw

Damon Bradshaw might be the ultimate “what if” in Supercross history. Bursting onto the scene as a teenager, Bradshaw was already winning premier-class races at just 17 years old and went on to rack up 19 victories in a remarkably short career. All 19 came across just four seasons, including an incredible nine-win campaign in 1992.

Despite his speed and undeniable talent, Bradshaw never captured the 450SX (then 250SX) title. He finished runner-up in back-to-back seasons in 1991 and 1992, with the latter becoming one of the most heartbreaking championship losses in the sport’s history. Entering the 1992 finale, Bradshaw needed only a third-place finish to secure the crown. Instead, he faded to fifth while Jeff Stanton took the victory and snatched the championship away.

Bradshaw, who had previously won the 1989 125SX East Region title, was never quite the same. He stepped away from racing following the 1993 season and eventually returned, but never claimed another Supercross victory. For a rider who once looked destined to dominate the sport, his career remains one of the biggest unanswered questions in Supercross history.

1: Kevin Windham

Kevin Windham might be one of the most talented riders to never win a premier-class Supercross championship. Unfortunately for K-Dub, his career happened to overlap with a few guys named Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart and Chad Reed. You know, just four of the top five (Eli Tomac second all-time) winningest riders in Supercross history.

Despite going head-to-head with some of the greatest riders the sport has ever seen, Windham still managed to rack up 18 premier-class victories and finish runner-up in the championship three times. He also captured back-to-back 125SX West Region titles in 1996 and 1997.

Known for his effortless style, incredible bike control and ability to make riding a dirt bike look ridiculously easy, Windham became one of the most beloved riders in the sport. In just about any other era, it’s hard to imagine K-Dub not walking away with at least one premier-class championship.

Dakar 2027 Moved From Saudi Arabia Amid Middle East Conflict

The 2027 Dakar Rally will move out of Saudi Arabia amid escalating security concerns in the Middle East, with organisers confirming the event will be held in a different territory following recent developments in the region.

The decision by the Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.) and Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC) comes against the backdrop of the wider conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, as well as ongoing tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement. Missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia have added to regional security concerns, although organisers have not publicly identified a specific incident as the reason for the relocation.

The rally had been scheduled to run from 1 to 15 January 2027. The move has been described as an exceptional, one-off decision, made in close coordination with the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF), with support from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).

Dakar 2027 will still go ahead, with A.S.O. taking responsibility for organising the event in a different territory. The new location is expected to be announced separately in the coming days, while A.S.O. is already in direct contact with competitors, teams and partners to help them manage the transition.

Saudi Arabia is set to return as host in 2028, when the Dakar Rally will celebrate its 50th running. A.S.O. and SMC are already working together on plans for the milestone edition, with both organisations committed to making it an important occasion for the rally and the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has hosted seven consecutive editions of the Dakar since the event moved to the country in 2020, welcoming competitors from around the world to routes showcasing the Kingdom’s geographical diversity.

Those events have established Saudi Arabia as an integral part of the Dakar community and strengthened the long-term strategic partnership between A.S.O., SMC and SAMF. All three organisations have reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their cooperation, developing motorsport in the Kingdom and delivering world-class experiences for competitors, teams and fans.

Paris SX - Ken Roczen faces tough competition

Ken Roczen against American competition, Tom Vialle in front of a home crowd, and the Coenen twins making their Supercross debut: the Paris Supercross on November 21st and 22nd, 2026, promises plenty of exciting stories. The organizers have now released further details about the starting grid and the program, making it clear that this year's event, steeped in tradition, aims to be much more than just an ordinary invitational race.

For the ninth time, the Paris La Défense Arena is hosting the event, whose history dates back to 1984. Back then, the Supercross was held at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy. After a period in Lille, the race has long since found its new home in Europe's largest indoor event arena.

Ken Roczen travels to Paris as US champion

The focus is once again on Ken Roczen. The German returns to Paris after his success in 2022 and this time arrives as the reigning American Supercross champion.

After winning the title in a thrilling final against Hunter Lawrence, Roczen is undoubtedly one of the biggest attractions of the weekend.

Another victory in Paris would also have a historic aspect. Several American Supercross champions have already triumphed in the French capital just a few months after winning their title. These include Johnny O'Mara, Jean-Michel Bayle, Jeff Stanton, Jeremy McGrath, Jeff Emig, and Jason Anderson.

For Roczen, it would be the second Paris victory of his career.

However, it's unlikely to be a walk in the park. The competition is strong, and some riders still have something to prove in Paris.

Plessinger and Smith together for the first time for Triumph

Aaron Plessinger's appearance will be particularly interesting. The American is set to make his official debut on a Triumph in Paris. He will be joined by another Triumph rider, Jordan Smith, who takes the place of Malcolm Stewart, who was originally slated to race.

According to the organizers, Stewart's withdrawal is due to the fact that he has not yet had the opportunity to test with his future team. Therefore, he will not be competing in Paris. However, the American is said to already be considering a return for 2027.

This presents Smith with an additional opportunity to showcase his talent on the international stage. He finished eighth in the most recent SMX overall standings, just ahead of Stewart.

The fact that Triumph will be represented in Paris with both riders underlines the importance that the manufacturer attaches to its new commitment.

Jo Shimoda is taking the leap into the 450cc class

Another candidate for the top spots is Jo Shimoda. The Japanese player is already very familiar with the special atmosphere in Paris. In 2023, he secured the title "Prince of Paris" with four wins out of six finals.

This time, however, a new challenge awaits. Shimoda will be competing in Supercross for the first time in Paris on a 450cc machine. His precise and controlled riding style could work to his advantage. How quickly he can adapt to the more powerful motorcycle will be one of the interesting questions of the weekend.

Tom Vialle and Lucas Coenen against the Americans

From a European perspective, all eyes are on Tom Vialle and Lucas Coenen. Vialle brings a wealth of experience from American Supercross. The Frenchman has already won two titles there and finished his first season in the 450cc class in fourth place overall. He was also named best rookie.

Having made his debut on a 450cc machine in Paris last year, he returns with significantly more experience. His own expectations are likely to be correspondingly high. Added to this is the support of the French crowd, who will undoubtedly give Vialle a rousing ovation at his home race.

Even more question marks surround Lucas Coenen.

The Belgian will make his Supercross debut in Paris. After a strong MXGP season, in which a persistent injury hampered his title ambitions, he is now venturing into the technically demanding Supercross circuit.

Coenen's contribution to Belgium's success at the Motocross of Nations in Ernée, despite his injuries, recently demonstrated his fighting spirit. However, it remains to be seen how well his tremendous motocross speed translates to tight corners, rhythm sections, and jump combinations.

With a view to his planned entry into the American Supercross in January, Paris could already be an important benchmark.

Sacha Coenen brings excitement to the SX2

While Lucas competes in the SX1 class, his twin brother Sacha Coenen will start in the SX2 class. It's also his first Supercross race. The KTM factory rider has repeatedly caused a stir this season with his aggressive and uncompromising riding style. His performances in the USA were particularly impressive, where he won three of the four outdoor races he entered.

The fact that he even broke his collarbone in one of these races underscores just how fine the line can be between spectacular speed and risk with his riding style. Paris will show how quickly the 20-year-old internalizes the unique demands of a Supercross track. The combination of his tremendous base speed and aggressive riding style could certainly provide plenty of entertainment.

However, the competition in the SX2 class should by no means be underestimated.

Bud Racing is fielding Michael Harrison and Henry Miller. GSM Yamaha is relying on the young Australian Reid Taylor, while KTM France is sending Calvin Fonvieille to compete in his preferred class.

Triumph Germany is bringing another up-and-coming talent, Hamden Hudson, to the starting line. SR Honda is also working on signing either multiple Arenacross champion Kyle Peters or Isaiah Clark.

Michael Hicks on the electric Stark is another interesting participant on the list.

The French elite are also represented.

Alongside international stars, the SX1 series is complemented by numerous experienced riders. Cédric Soubeyras has long been a fixture at the Paris Supercross. The Frenchman holds the record with 19 appearances and even managed to reach the podium on one of the two evenings last year.

With Hayden Mellross, he gets another experienced rider at his side in the Yamaha VHR team.

The top riders of the French SX Tour Championship will also be present. Maxime Desprey, Jordi Tixier and Tom Guyon are also part of the starting field.

This means that international Supercross specialists will meet riders who are very familiar with the special requirements of French indoor races.

New race format with double points in the final

The organizers have also made some adjustments to the sporting aspects. In both the SX1 and SX2 classes, three races will be held on each of the two days of the event. A new feature is that the longer final race will award double points. This could significantly alter the overall standings even late in the evening.

The juniors will each compete in a grand final to kick off the racing program. Lonny Ferrer is among those on the starting list for this class.

Between races, the traditional Bud Racing Superpole adds extra excitement. And of course, freestyle motocross is once again a regular part of the program.

Freestyle show with Vanstippen and Canosa

With Julien Vanstippen and José “Mincha” Canosa, the organizers have secured two of the most spectacular freestyle riders currently competing. Both have impressed at various X Games competitions this season and are scheduled to face off in Paris, including in a best trick contest.

The Monster Energy Freestyle Show program will be complemented by Nicolas Texier and another top international rider, whose name is yet to be announced.

Two days of Supercross in Paris

The Paris Supercross takes place on November 21th and 22th, 2026 The event will take place at the Plenitude Arena in Paris La Défense. The evening event begins at 19:00 PM on Saturday, while the program starts at 14:00 PM on Sunday.

Anyone wishing to watch the training session can enter the hall on Saturday from 14:00 PM and on Sunday from 10:30 AM. According to the organizers, only a few tickets remain for both days.

From a sporting perspective, the most interesting question will be whether Ken Roczen can live up to his role as favorite. He faces several experienced competitors in Plessinger, Shimoda, and Vialle.

Perhaps the most intriguing unknowns, however, are the Coenen twins. Lucas and Sacha have long since proven in motocross that they are among the fastest riders of their generation. Whether they can translate this speed to a supercross track will be revealed for the first time under race conditions in Paris.

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Now What?

What are Sexton’s options for 2027? KTM, Yamaha, Suzuki?

Well, it has finally happened, Chase Sexton has done a Jorge Prado and left Kawasaki just one year into his contract after, like Prado, not having the feel he wants from the Kawasaki and being unable to ride to his full potential as a consequence.

Now Sexton has a huge decision to make, what bike can he get on that will see the American back to his blistering best. When Sexton is on form, he is one of the few that can push Jett Lawrence indoors and out, a 100% happy Sexton only adds to the level of the AMA series. And now is even more motivated. 

But where is his best option? Even Steve Matthes isn’t sure of his next destination, but he did reveal he had meeting with KTM, despite their difficult ending a year ago. With Sexton having just watched Prado go there and be successful on a bike he also knows, it may be the least risky option, especially if Lucas Coenen rides a 250 in Supercross (a rumour at the moment) that would give KTM only one rider in 450 Supercross after Tomac’s retirement, Sexton would be an elite addition to their premier roster, with Micheal Lindsay saying KTM have not taken the option off the table.

It honestly seems the best option for both parties, Sexton knows the bike and KTM have the Tomac budget there to add a title contender to the team alongside Prado in Supercross, adding Lucas Coenen in outdoors and it is a powerhouse team! But can they both get past the significant friction that caused the break-up last year?

Matthes also mentioned Bobby Regan, more than the corporate Yamaha themselves looking at Sexton, with Deegan the main man on the 450 and the next superstar Cole Davies ready to move up next year is there room for Sexton? He would probably not be the main guy there, just with how he felt at Honda with the Lawrence brothers moving in. Unless, as Matthes hinted, Quad Lock Honda could be an option if he really wanted to ride red?

Of course maybe Sexton in a more private Yamaha team like PRMX but with factory support could work…they put on IG just after Sexton’s announcement “Thanks Kyle Chisholm for getting the Yamaha dialled in for our 450 boys! More news coming Monday!”

Sexton Goes Home

HOMETOWN, TRAINING, MIDWEST MOTO | Chase Sexton

Chase Sexton headed home to cool his head with all this Kawasaki drama and was kind enough to do a video on his trip. Tag along for a week back home in Illinois. Some training, updates on the knee recovery, and hanging out at the local races. Lets hope the American can sort out a new team and enjoy his racing in 2027.

Reaction: Kawasaki's New Loss

Picture this: Lewis Hamilton joins Ferrari on a multi-year contract then quits after one year. Ferrari bounces back by signing Max Verstappen to reinforce their position in the paddock – only for Verstappen to ditch his deal after a single season as well.

It would leave Maranello in total disarray, cost key staff their jobs and dominate news channels for the remainder of the year. This fictional situation is near impossible to imagine – it's ludicrous, like something out of an overly ambitious novel.

Horrifically, it's Kawasaki's reality.

In a normal world, Kawasaki would be entering its second season with an all-star roster of Jorge Prado and Chase Sexton. Instead, both riders' contracts were voided before the ink had even dried (unprecedented once let alone back-to-back). 

Prado's exit was still recoverable for the manufacturer. He had never ridden a non-Austrian bike, was brand new to the SMX paddock and remained an unjustifiable unknown to so many American spectators. With that in mind, people blamed external factors rather than the KX450 itself. Kawasaki landing Sexton was more than enough to restore optimism too. A championship rider splitting from a factory squad that quickly is a once-in-a-blue-moon event and Prado's departure felt like an isolated quirk for all involved.

Losing Prado was a bump in the road – losing Sexton's a total failure. A double blow like this is just unheard of, leaving Kawasaki with a mess that will take years (not months) to recover from.

There is nowhere for the team to hide; Prado and Sexton share no similarities. The only link between the pair is their disdain for the KX450 and the Monster Energy Kawasaki squad. Worse, their complaints are so varied that there is no one flaw the team can use as a shield. It's quite literally the worst-case scenario. The manufacturer's reluctance to talk publicly will only hurt its position, though there may be nothing left to say that can reverse this slow death.

A positive reaction would be internal changes that reinforce that Kawasaki deem this situation unacceptable. Yet, while they showed more flexibility in testing this term, their inability to take public accountability will only hurt their market position further. A staff shuffle would at least indicate that the team wants to move forward and put this dark era behind them.

If a prospective partner or athlete asks why this downward spiral will not continue, the team has no evidence to point to. No accountability, no technical explanation and no structural alteration. That's unheard of in motorsport, where a crisis this dire would cue immediate overhauls within upper management. Is Kawasaki's refusal to act at rock bottom the ultimate smoking gun?

To make matters worse, while Sexton was realizing that the Kawasaki dream was not what he'd been sold, Prado was reinforcing the point by clinching the SMX World Championship elsewhere.

Again, nowhere to hide.

If Kawasaki's response is to knuckle down and prove everyone wrong on the racetrack then they have once again misinterpreted the gravity of their situation. A continuous cycle of misreads, misjudgments and inaction has brought them here. Dormancy will not save them. Truthfully, no quick fix exists to recreate their early-2010s peak – an era that wasn't entirely spotless to start with either.

The excitement around the relatively new 2027 KX450 could be a positive point to lean on, although without a proven winner on the steed it will be tricky to decipher whether it'd have shifted either Prado or Sexton's stances. The best outcome with their new lineup – the returning (and happy) Garrett Marchbanks and Malcolm Stewart – is that they post solid results in the remit of what they have proven to be: solid top five riders.

A stable season like that would stop the bleeding – an action that's desperately needed. The waters could not be choppier and all Kawasaki can do is ride out the storm, hoping the good times roll once more. Until they address the issues that encourage these champions to walk away from multi-million-dollar deals, however, their fortunes are unlikely to be reversed.

The sport needs Monster Energy Kawasaki to be at its best. It wasn't too long ago that they were there. However, to get back, they'll have to stand up and control their narrative.

Sexton What's Next?

 

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Chase Sexton Parts Ways with Kawasaki After One Season

Chase Sexton and Monster Energy Kawasaki have mutually ended their agreement effective October 23, 2026, after just one season together Cycle News+1.

What Happened

Kawasaki confirmed the split in a brief statement, noting that both parties agreed to part ways immediately. The partnership, originally a three-year deal signed before the 2026 season, ended after only 16 starts, with Sexton scoring two 450 Supercross wins — at Anaheim 2 and the Salt Lake City finale Cycle News+1.

Sexton’s season was mixed: he placed on the podium three times, but consistency was lacking, and his outdoor Pro Motocross campaign was cut short by a torn ACL suffered in a violent crash at the Thunder Valley National Cycle News+2.

Sexton’s Statement

In an Instagram post, Sexton thanked the team and staff, saying: “Very appreciative for all the effort by every person involved and I wish the team and all the staff the best going forward. See you at the races!” Cycle News+1.

Season Recap

• Supercross: 6th in the 450SX standings; wins at Anaheim 2 and Salt Lake City Fullnoise+1.

• Pro Motocross: Campaign ended after Thunder Valley crash and ACL injury Cycle News+1.

• Notable: This is the second recent case of a rider leaving Kawasaki early, following Jorge Prado’s 2025 exit AOL.

2027 Outlook

Neither Kawasaki nor Sexton has announced his next team. Speculation includes:

• MXGP in Europe (he was spotted at the Netherlands round) Corsedimoto

• Star Racing Yamaha Corsedimoto

• Other possibilities: KTM (with Lucas Coenen’s seat vacated) or Ducati/Suzuki Cycle News+1

With multiple seats available and his proven speed, Sexton is considered “hot property” in the rider market Corsedimoto.

Key Takeaway

Sexton’s departure marks an abrupt end to a planned multi-year partnership, leaving both his future and Kawasaki’s 2027 lineup uncertain. The split underscores the challenges of balancing championship potential with consistency and injury resilience in motocross Cycle News+2.

Sexton Moves On

Monster Energy Kawasaki and Chase Sexton have mutually ended their agreement, effective immediately. The former AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross champion is terminating his contract early as he was signed to a three-year deal with Team Green. Sexton’s season was highlighted by winning two Supercross main events (A2 and Salt Lake) before suffering a knee injury at the Thunder Valley round of Pro Motocross.

In a statement from Kawasaki, the brand said, “Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. and Chase Sexton have mutually agreed to part ways effective October 23rd, 2026. The 2026 season together was highlighted by achieving two 450 Supercross wins in Anaheim and Salt Lake City, adding Sexton to the long list of Supercross winners with Kawasaki. Kawasaki wishes him the best for the 2027 season.”

Sexton added more on his Instagram saying, “Just want to say thank you Kawasaki. Very appreciative for all the effort by every person involved and I wish the team and all the staff the best going forward. See you at the races!”

Sexton spoke throughout the year how he was unhappy and now that is even more clear as his three-year deal has been terminated only one year in. This leaves a place open for a new rider on the Kawasaki squad although we expect Malcolm Stewart to take a slot on the team. We expected Kawi to field a three-rider team in 2027 but that is looking less likely. There’s also speculation about where Sexton will ride next,  Yamaha, Ducati, or Suzuki? Now for the second time in recent memory, a rider has broken their deal early with Kawasaki and parted ways prematurely. It will be interesting to see where Sexton rides in the future although nothing official has been announced.

Weston Beach Race 2026