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.

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Steve Whitelock Passes

Steve Whitelock - Rest In Peace

For many, the name Steve Whitelock might not be a name you know, but if you have followed the sport long enough, he was an important figure throughout the world and also in the golden era of 500cc GP racing.

Universally known as "Big Steve" in the paddock, was an influential figure in motorcycle racing history. His career spanned several decades, during which he served as a mechanic, team manager, and technical official across FIM Motocross Grand Prix (GP), World Superbike, and AMA Supercross/Motocross.

Whitelock passed away on October 20, 2026. His history within Motocross GPs and broader world championships is defined by team mastery and hard-nosed rule enforcement.

 

Mid-1970s - Motocross GP Mechanic

Worked as a mechanic for Dutch motocross pioneer Pierre Karsmakers during select 500cc Motocross World Championship (GP) rounds. Under his mechanical care, Karsmakers won the 1975 Canadian 500cc GP round.

Late 1970s - Honda GP Team Manager & FIM Jury

Managed the Honda factory GP motocross team. During the 1977 British 500cc Grand Prix at Farleigh Castle, Whitelock served on the FIM Jury. Convinced that Bob Wright's works CCM bike was oversized, he physically wrestled with mechanic John Baynham to seize and measure the bike, resulting in Baynham famously punching him. He later managed GP greats like Brad Lackey and Graham Noyce.

1983–1990 - HRC Japan / European Teams

Transitioned to an executive role with Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) in Japan and Europe. He oversaw the golden era of extravagance in Honda's racing department and spearheaded GP motocross programs that yielded multiple world titles with riders like Dave Thorpe, Andre Malherbe, and Eric Geboers.

1990s - FIM Technical Director

Left Honda to join the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) as the Technical Director for the World Superbike Championship (WSBK), moving his expertise from off-road to road racing.

2003–2008 - AMA Motocross/Supercross Series Manager

Returned to the United States to take total control of AMA professional racing. He oversaw the volatile transition from two-stroke to four-stroke machinery and implemented controversial track prep rules to intentionally leave tracks rough and slow them down for rider safety.

The Hurricane's Top Five!

Magoo Rules the World!

In the autumn of 1982, some 43 years ago, the greatest motocross event in the World got to witness something very beautiful. Danny “Magoo” Chandler, considered to this day one of the most flamboyant riders in the history of the sport put a masterclass on his opposition. Beating the Worlds best and doing something that has never been achieved before, or after.

Chandler was part of the American team for the Trophies and Motocross des Nation international team events. On the smooth and fast racing circuits of Gaildorf, Germany, and Wohlen, Switzerland, Chandler came through and won every moto in both the Trophies des Nations for 250cc bikes in Germany and again a week later in the Motocross des Nations (then for 500cc bikes) in Switzerland. Chandler became the only rider ever to win both motos of both events in the same year. Chandler returned to America a hero in the eyes of motocross fans everywhere.

Chandler was injured in a practice crash during the off-season after 1983 and, while not fully recovered, managed two top-10 finishes in the AMA nationals in 1984. Chandler was dropped from Team Honda after the ’84 season. During the winter, a call came from Europe and he was given the opportunity to race in the Motocross World Championships for the 1985 season. He first rode for a British Kawasaki team, but after disagreements with the team over team orders to finish behind his teammate, Chandler quit and was quickly picked up by KTM.

With the Austrian manufacturer, Chandler came through to win the French GP. He was solidly in contention in the world championships before a serious crash in Italy halfway through the season ended any chance he had to earn a world title. While recovering from his injuries, an Italian-based Kawasaki team signed him to race in the world championship in 1986. Unfortunately for Chandler, his racing career was about to come to a heartbreaking end.

At the Paris Supercross, Chandler suffered a crash in a heat race that broke his neck and left him paralyzed forever. After the accident, Chandler went through a tough period. Within the span of a few years after the accident, he went through a divorce and then suffered even further when both his parents died within a few years of one another.

"In the long run the accident has left me a richer and fuller person," Chandler says positively. "Had it not been for that I would just be another guy walking around. Now I have an interesting and compelling story to tell the kids."

Chandler would visit the Motocross of Nations again in 2009, a guest from Youthstream/Infront, and a popular guest, who was constantly asked questions about his amazing career. Unfortunately Chandler passed away on May 5, 2010, following an extended illness.

Our good friend and the legendary Davey Coombs from RacerX also did a great story on that day Chandler owned the World. Read it at www.racerx.com 

Everts Fast on the Beach!

The 39th edition of the 'Strandcross' in Vlissingen was won by World MX2 competitor Liam Everts, who finished well ahead of his competition. The main 500cc race was brought to an early end following an accident involving a rider who required medical attention.

Everts, who, two weeks prior, helped Belgium secure the MXoN in Ernée, France, demonstrated total dominance on the Vlissingen sands. In both the qualifying heat and the majority of the final race, he took the lead early on and built a substantial gap. By the time race officials were forced to intervene, the outcome was effectively already decided.

According to the rules, if more than half of a race's scheduled duration has elapsed, the standings at the moment of the stoppage are considered the final results. This was the case in Vlissingen: 13 of the planned 22 minutes had been completed when the red flag was shown. As a result of this decision, the riders did not have to restart, and the standings remained unchanged. For Everts, this meant a convincing victory; he finished well ahead of his closest rivals, leaving him plenty of time afterward to give interviews and sign autographs.

In the first heat, Yentel Martens—also from Belgium and the defending champion, took the holeshot, but Everts seized control during the second lap and immediately pulled away. Only Sven van den Mierden and Martens managed to stay within the same lap for part of the race; the rest of the field was lapped once or twice.

Cooper Webb Stands Tall

Cooper Webb is wasting no time jumping to his new team for 2027–he’s starting this weekend at the 2026 Motocross of Nations for Team USA!

For months we’ve heard of an expanded Team Tedder effort keeping Justin Hill and adding the three-time AMA 450 Supercross Champion Webb to the fold, and now the look and the concept are public. Husqvarna’s own in-house factory race team is no longer, but partnerships like Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, Monster Energy Team Tedder, and more, will keep the brand very relevant on the track.

This also puts Webb back on an Austrian bike, similar to the Red Bull KTMs he rode to the AMA Supercross Championships in 2019 and 2021. Yes, he left that squad at the end of 2023, but all parties have mended fences and are happy to reunite. Yes, Webb will have a real factory bike, from what we hear.

“With the addition of Cooper Webb alongside Justin Hill, I believe Team Tedder may surprise some people next season,” commented Director of Racing SX/MX, Roger De Coster. “I’m very excited for the future,” commented Webb. “Team Tedder and their entire family have given me an awesome opportunity to go racing on my own terms and put together a program that I believe is capable of chasing championships. I think it’s going to be the perfect balance of bringing together a family-oriented environment and the competitiveness to win. I’ll make my debut this weekend aboard the Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition for Team USA at the Motocross of Nations. It’ll be my first time competing on the Husqvarna, but it gives me a lot of confidence to return to a platform that I’ve had so much success on throughout my career. Early in my career, Roger [De Coster] and their entire crew helped turn my 450 career around, so it’s a special moment to once again have them supporting me during the later part of my career. I’ve got a lot of fight left in me and I’m motivated to get back on top.”