Tomac Out!

Last weekend the 450SX championship landscape changed. But this weekend, it got completely flipped upside down.

At the 16th round—again with an 18-point lead in the standings—Eli Tomac had the race lead in the 450SX main event in front of his home crowd. It appeared Tomac wanted to win the race and put one hand on the 450SX #1 trophy, before going to Utah next weekend and grabbing the trophy with his other hand and hoisting it up. But, in front of his home crowd, things took a turn for the worst for the Colorado native.

The crowd erupted and when cameras found the #1, we quickly found out why. Tomac was quickly going backward as rider after rider passed him as he rolled the jumps. Then, Tomac was sitting on the inside of the track, holding his left leg up and away from his bike as he shook his head.

The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider cut across the track and went straight for the tunnel where riders exit the track. An AMA official stopped him briefly—more than likely to warm him if he left the track, he could not reenter the race—but the veteran knew something was wrong. He went straight for the Alpinestars medical truck that sat just inside the stadium walls. Tomac got off of his bike but needed assistance getting into the medical truck. His name dropped to the bottom of live timing.

At the same time, Sexton took over the race lead from Adam Cianciarulo. By doing so, Sexton has unofficially become the 450SX points leader. The TV crew showed replays as broadcasters Leigh Diffey and Ricky Carmichael broke down the footage they were watching. It appeared to be a lower left leg injury for the two-time 450SX champion, and the halfway point of the race came and went as everyone waited for an update.

Finally, one came. And it took the air out of the stadium.

“Yeah, unfortunately, without crashing, we just came up a little short on a jump and it’s an unfortunate report, we have to make, but we [Tomac] ruptured the Achilles tendon and it’s going to put us out for the rest of the season,” Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 450 team manager Jeremy Coker told trackside reporter Daniel Blair.

And just like that, for the second week in a row, the 450SX championship lost a title contender for the season and completely flipped the title fight.

Moments later, Tomac came out of the medical truck with a soft walking boot on his left leg as he used crutches and assistance from others in order to get onto the back of the medical cart and head for the pits.

Sexton went on to claim the race win with Tomac’s three laps landing him 22nd officially.

And the situation bumped the #23 into the 450SX points lead over Tomac, completely changing the 2023 450SX championship.

Sexton said in the post-race press conference he was unaware of what exactly happened to the championship leader until after the race.

“Yeah, it’s definitely tough, not to swallow, but to comprehend,” Sexton opened with in the press conference. “I honestly didn’t know what was going on—if his bike was broke or he broke a wheel or something. So, I just found out after the race that he hurt his ankle.”

“Obviously a lot of speculation on what actually happened as far as muscle damage wise,” Sexton continued. “But for me, I just wanted to capitalize when I saw that obviously he was going backwards. Obviously, that’s not the way you want to see someone go out, especially someone like Eli. He’s so gnarly. And he’s been super, super gnarly the last couple years. And I would say a great competitor. And I love racing him. So, tough way to see him go out. And, yeah, definitely wish him the best. And for me, my gameplan stays the same. That’s what I’m looking at right now.”

Only a few weeks after we saw one of the closest championship fights in AMA Supercross history, the last two weeks have been absolutely chaotic. 

Not only does this impact the supercross championship, but the AMA Pro Motocross Championship—and inaugural SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX)—as well. Tomac had re-signed with Yamaha to come out and try to defend his #1 Pro Motocross plate against soon-to-be 450cc rookie Jett Lawrence, Sexton, and the rest of the field. Then he would give it a go for the first-ever SMX championship with hopes of claiming the first ever combined, playoff-style title. But this injury will keep Tomac on the sidelines for at the very least half a year, but possibly longer.

Tomac will turn 31 this off-season (in November) and we know he is nearing the end of an eventual hall-of-fame career. Many were wondering if, and hoping Tomac would, return to the Yamaha factory team in 2024 and race one more year, even if just on a supercross-only contract. Could this impact that decision? We do not want to speculate on the future for the multi-time champ, but this injury will play a role in any decisions moving forward.

With one round to go in Utah, Sexton enters with a seven-point lead over Tomac—the only rider mathematically alive in the championship. When the #23 starts the 450SX main event next weekend at the Salt Lake City Supercross, the native of Illinois will become the first Honda-mounted premier class champion in either AMA Supercross or Motocross since Ricky Carmichael took the 2004 AMA Motocross title. It will also give Honda HRC all three AMA Supercross titles this season as Hunter Lawrence (250SX East Region) and Jett Lawrence (250SX West Region) each clinched their respective titles one round early.

Coverage by Racere X

Herlings Wins 102 and Counting

In front of a huge Spanish crowd and in very warm conditions around a very rough circuit, Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings won the Spanish GP with 1-1 scores and became the greatest Grand Prix winner of all time. The five time World motocross champion picked up his 102^nd GP victory to pass the record held for the last two decades by Stefan Everts.

Jeffrey Herlings: It is pretty insane, at Jorges home place and I did it. I want to thank myself. The team did their job and its a long journey and to have this record for myself now and we want to continue improving. The most motos wins I broke a couple of years ago now the most GP wins and the most World title I don't think I can get. So many wins with KTM and I want to thank Pit (Beirer) for this one.

The 1-1 win by Herlings is also bad news for the competition as he is starting to look like the 2018 version of “The Bullet”, who completely dominated his opposition and won the title with ease. Now just six points behind Prado, the Dutchman must be excited for the next round in France.

GasGas factory rider Jorge Prado, who still owns the red plate finished with a strong second place in the opening moto and then put together top five finish. Second overall was Mattia Guadagnini with 3-3 scores and third overall was Ruben Fernandez with 5-2 scores.

Ruben Fernandez moved to third in the championship points as the Spanish do have something to celebrate. The championship points are now Jorge Prado 294, Jeffrey Herlings 288, Ruben Fernandez 224, Romain Febvre and Maxime Renaux 202.

Seewer led the second MXGP moto from Guadagnini, Fernandez, Herlings,  Paturel, Vaanderen, Prado, Coldenhoff, Guillod and Forato. Fernandez into the lead as he passed Seewer and Herlings all over Seewer. Guadagnini passed Seewer and Herlings follows him through.

Prado moved past Paturel for fifth and on lap three the lead by Fernandez over Guadagnini was 2.6 seconds. Herlings was just behind Seewer and Prado starting to build his speed. Coldenhoff also passed Paturel.

Herlings moved into third place as he ducked up the inside of Seewer. The Dutchman quickly up to Guadagnini and looking likely to do the same thing as the opening moto and make history. Herlings tried a pass on Guadagnini and nearly got it, but both are now all over Fernandez for the lead.

Herlings into second and now onto the leader and on lap eight into the lead and victory number 102 is right in front of him. As it is now, the points lead in the championship from Prado is just three points. Herlings wins the moto and GP and closed down the series lead by local rider Jorge Prado.

Copy from MXlarge

Webb...I'll Be Back!

Pro Motocross and SMX playoffs still in the plans of Webb

 Post: Troy Guenther

Aiming to return during the second half of 2023 450MX season.

Image: Octopi Media.

A targeted return has been outlined by Cooper Webb as he aims to line up during the second half of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship, with the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) playoffs also still part of his plans.

Webb was in contention for a third 450SX crown prior to his heat race incident in Nashville that ultimately cut short his bid for this year’s AMA Supercross title. He has now suggested a six-to-eight-week recovery before he rides again to mitigate any ongoing complications.

“Nashville, unfortunately, was the end of my Supercross season,” Webb explained in a social media post. “You know, I had the incident and had a pretty good concussion, so went to the hospital straight away from the race and did a bunch of scans – CT scans, MRI.

“Ended up staying the night there and, luckily, nothing came back too crazy, just a moderate concussion, they called it. So you know, was very fortunate there, as far as my neck and shoulder, collarbone… everything was good, nothing broken, nothing damaged, and just some bruises.

“I felt like we really pushed hard and made massive strides towards obviously winning another championship. I had a great year, had some great battles and, you know, it was an unfortunate way for it to all end, but I know I gave it my all. I was there for the fight all year and I’ve got to hang my hat high on that.

“Can’t be too bummed with how the season went. Obviously, I wish I could have won some more races and been a little bit closer to the title fight, but you know, 11 points is still close with three rounds to go and I felt like – like I said – it all happens for a reason.

“Next step for me, saw a neurologist yesterday and they recommended about six-to-eight weeks fully off the dirt bike. We really want to let my head rest and not have any scary things happen later in life or anything like that, so I’ll be on the mend for the next six-to-eight weeks.”

Webb also reinstated his intentions to contest Pro Motocross this year, despite ongoing speculation linking him to the World Supercross Championship (WSX) for the 2023 series that begins in July. However, competing in 450MX races will strengthen his position entering the SMX post-season, which Webb will be a factor in come September.

“Gonna be full dad life, enjoying time with my wife and daughter, which will be great, and get to be a normal dude for a little bit, and then we’ll start the MX preparation,” Webb continued. “I want to try to race some of the last nationals, if not the last half, but we’ll see what happens there and then come and do the SMX playoffs.

“That’s kind of the game plan, but as of now, I won’t be making the start of the nationals. I’ll take some time off and, like I said, I’ll hopefully be back towards the end of the nationals and come in hot for the SMX playoffs. Appreciate all the love and I will keep you guys updated.”

Following the final two rounds of the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross Championship, this year’s Pro Motocross Championship commences at Fox Raceway on 27 May. Southwick on 8 July will mark the halfway point in the outdoor series.

Real Moto Coming Soon!

Moto Goes Metal

PRO MOTOCROSS SERIES TO USE METAL START GRATE FOR THE FIRST TIME

Entering its 51st year of racing, the Pro Motocross series is now implementing the use of metal starting grates at all eleven rounds of the 2023 season. We first saw metal grates used at the Monster Energy Cup in 2013. The Monster Cup was a great event for FELD to try new things because it wasn’t directly tied to the points-paying Monster Energy Supercross Championship—as its own standalone race, the Monster Cup could implement the unique Triple Crown format (now used in Supercross at three events a year) and even the joker lane (which thankfully hasn’t been used in regular races). Yes, the Monster Cup is no longer, but the metal starting grates remain. They are now standard procedure at every Supercross and MXGP race, but the AMA Outdoor National series was the last Championship sticking with the grassroots style of starting in the dirt.

As laid out in the latest Mx Sports Competition Bulletin 2023-1: Pro Motocross Rules Finalized, starting grates will now be used at all eleven of the Pro Motocross races.

BIGGEST QUESTIONS ANSWERED: METAL GRATES

Who has to pay for the gates? Mx Sports does. Just like in Supercross, the promotor of the series will transport the same 40 metal grates to each round and install them. So don’t worry, if Hangtown, Thunder Valley, Red Bud, or Unadilla is your local track, they aren’t getting rid of their dirt start full time (at least they don’t have to), this is only for the National.

Who’s idea was to bring metal gates to the outdoors? The factory teams. After racing on metal gates for the entire Supercross season, spending countless hours practicing starts in the preseason and in between races, as well as spending hours and money into developing ECU maps and engine packages for the metal start grates, the factory teams don’t want to put it all aside to go back to dirt for the summer. It’s much easier for them to stick with what they’ve been doing all year so far.

JUSTIN BARCIA INJURY UPDATE: BROKEN COLLARBONE, SHOULDER & RIBS

The Nashville Supercross marked Justin Barcia’s 66th consecutive start, which was the longest active streak. Unfortunately, that streak will end this weekend as he is now sidelined with an injury. Justin’s crash a the 2023 Nashville Supercross was not pretty. He went over the bars on the dragon’s back jump which led into the whoop section, and immediately you could tell he was hurt.

Justin and the team waited until Thursday morning following the race to release an update. Justin explained that he broke his collarbone, shoulder, and two ribs in the crash, but he didn’t give a timeline for his return to racing. We know he’ll at least be out for the final two Monster Energy Supercross rounds, and, depending on how bad the shoulder injury is, it will be difficult for Barcia to be on the line at the opening Round of the Pro Motocross season, as it will be here only four weeks after his crash.

Is Herlings fast in the Sand...He's Fast!

Jeffery Herlings getting ready for Spanish MXGP.

FMF

With the countdown to the start of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, well underway MX Sports Pro Racing has announced the return of FMF Racing as the “Official Exhaust” of American motocross. As one of the longest supporters of this storied championship, the Southern California-based manufacturer of high-performance exhaust systems will fittingly celebrate its 50 years of business and the “Power of Fun” throughout the summer, paying homage to the indelible and pioneering legacy of one of the sport’s most iconic brands.
 
“It’s no coincidence that the beginnings of FMF Racing coincide with the infancy of the Pro Motocross Championship, as both now boast a half century of showcasing the absolute best of what American motocross has to offer,” said Davey Coombs, President, MX Sports Pro Racing. “The sport blossomed out of the booming Southern California racing scene, fostering motocross’ first domestic superstars and one of its most influential brands in FMF. As this championship has continued to grow, so has the passion-driven business started by Don Emler Sr. in 1973, who together have become standard bearers for success. FMF’s roots in support of Pro Motocross span almost as long as the company itself, which has made the brand synonymous with this prestigious championship.”

FMF, an acronym for Flying Machine Factory, was born out of obsession by founder Don Emler in 1973, who was in search of ways to go faster and, in turn, having more fun. A tinkerer by nature, Emler was fond of mechanical things and set forth discovering ways to make dirt bikes fly. His curiosity and devotion led to the first high-performance aftermarket exhaust systems used by the sport’s fastest riders and has continued to grow throughout the past five decades, making FMF an industry powerhouse and a household name amongst motocross enthusiasts.
 
“Throughout our 50 years of existence one thing that has remained constant is a commitment to having fun. We come to work every day with the goal to make riding dirt bikes fun for everybody, from the weekend warrior to the factory racer. The sound, feeling, and even the smell associated with twisting the throttle is something that can’t be replicated,” said Donny Emler Jr., FMF Racing Marketing/Apparel Director. “Our journey as a business has been one heck of an adventure and we’re proud to remain family owned and operated with genuine ‘American Made’ products. Our partnership with Pro Motocross spans 30 years and we cannot think of a better way to celebrate this milestone year for FMF Racing than to be at the races alongside our fellow motoheads all summer long.”
 
One of the cornerstone elements of FMF’s continued support of the Pro Motocross Championship has been its commitment to shining the spotlight on privateer racers, who serve as the lifeblood of the sport. The “FMF Privateer Power Award” highlights the underdog racer from each round of the season that defied the odds to compete alongside the sport’s most high-profile names and grab the attention of the industry with a memorable performance. That tradition will continue for the 2023 season, bringing well-deserved recognition to the athletes whose passion and commitment embodies the fabric that FMF Racing was founded on.

Matrix Spring Sale!

I’m offensive on the mentality side right now’ – Sexton

Team Honda HRC racer determined to take 450SX title fight to the end.

Fresh off claiming his fourth 450SX main event victory of the season in Nashville, Chase Sexton has indicated ‘I’m offensive on the mentality side right now’ as he looks ahead to a final push in a bid to reduce the points deficit to red plate-holder Eli Tomac.

Sexton qualified fastest once again at Nissan Stadium and finished second in heat two behind TLD Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing rider Justin Barcia.

In the main event, Sexton swiped the lead from title-rival Tomac and charged to a 14.513s victory ahead of the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider, reducing the deficit he faces to the red plate to 18 points. With Cooper Webb’s heat race incident in Nashville ultimately ruling the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider out of the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross remainder, the premier class title fight is now down to two riders as two rounds remain.

“I don’t want to ride over my head by any means, but if I have an opportunity go out there and have a win in front of me, that’s what I’m going to do,” Sexton explained. “With Eli, with the way the track, with how sketchy it was, I knew he wasn’t going to push, to where if I pushed him he wasn’t going to fight back. I started just clicking off my laps and I had a good flow.

“I didn’t feel sketchy at all, I was able to push and be comfortable with a gnarly track. I think for me, I’m offensive on the mentality side right now. “That’s the position I am in, where he has 18 points to play with, I kind of have to go out there and give it all I have.”

Monster Energy Supercross resumes this Saturday with the penultimate round of the 2023 championship to take place at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver