International Classic Motocross Racing

Drumlanrig Castle 2022

MX Characters

Polarizing Characters - Our Sport

Posted on July 14, 2022 - at MXLarge

 

There is no doubt, when it comes to riders that are polarizing, you have in motocross, Jett Lawrence and Jeffrey Herlings. In a World where characters are not like in the 1960s and 1970s, where they said what they think, many are now being programmed to not piss anyone off and then we get some pretty average interviews or race comments. 

You really have to search for people who say what they think, using no filter to guard what could bring negative comments from social media or forums. Of course, it isn't hard to get negative comments from these two places, because it seems the World is in a place now where putting people down makes sad people happier.

For me, the louder the person, the more I like them and sportsman like Nick Kyrgios, Max Verstappen, Herlings or Lawrence are personalities that I find interesting. Not so much Lawrence, but Kyrgios, Verstappen and Herlings often say stuff that can come across pretty cocky and at times just outlandish, but I would rather that than somebody who just says the right thing all the time.

Just before a Grand Prix this year, I think the British GP, Herlings placed on his social media that he just bought his 57^th house, or something like that. Now, some found that being arrogant, or showing off, but to me, I just think, throw it out there, if you are proud of yourself, why not.

We all remember the Herlings interview after a battle with Mel Pocock, who was friends with Herlings main rival in 2012 and the Dutchman felt Pocock was blocking his progress. Of course, “The Bullet” has grown up a lot since that 2012 season, but I really like that type of drama between the competitors. I wish we had more of it, but it seems everyone loves each other at the moment.

Herlings comments on wanting to go head-to-head with Eli Tomac on Gypsy Tales a month or so ago was again a great insight into the KTM riders’ attitude and while again some found it not to their liking, I think we need more riders challenging each other.

Riders like Tim Gajser, Romain Febvre or Jorge Prado often say the right thing and don’t give too much away and you have to respect them for that, but it doesn’t really create any drama in the sport. Always polite and correct doesn’t really make headlines and that is the case with a majority of the MXGP and MX2 riders in this current era. Nobody dares to rock the boat between each other and that has been replaced by huges and high fives at the end of a moto.

In America, apart from Lawrence, I also struggle to see anyone who is making outlandish statements or getting our attention. It isn’t Eli Tomac or Chase Sexton, maybe Ken Roczen a little, but he changes from being very correct in his comments, to saying stuff that can be seen as either cocky or arrogant.

Back in the past of course the World of sport had guys like Muhammad Ali, John McEnroe, Diego Maradona, Michael Jordan or Mike Tyson. These people become prominent Worldwide with their often outrageous or cocky attitude to fellow competitors, but we all loved it.

So, while we sit in what hasn’t been the most overwhelming MXGP and MX2 season, we do await the return of Herlings and the growth of Jett Lawrence, because for the time being, these two are the most polarizing riders in our sport and we need them fit and racing.

Sexton and Tomac Will Ride If Called

RedBud MXoN intentions confirmed by Sexton, Tomac

Speculation surrounds who will represent Team USA in MX2.

Leading Pro Motocross duo Chase Sexton and Eli Tomac have confirmed they will compete in the 2022 Motocross of Nations (MXoN) if selected, as a number of 450MX regulars have also expressed their interest to ride a 250 at RedBud.

Current Lucas Oil Pro Motocross points-leader Sexton, 22, hasn’t lined up at an MXoN to date and would relish the opportunity to do so, with the US last entering the event in 2019.

“I just want to race it,” Sexton explained. “That’s all I want to do – that’s been a dream of mine. I wanted to go last year, but obviously we didn’t go. This year being at RedBud, it’s going to be – if it doesn’t rain – probably the biggest motocross race ever, I hope. If I can be a part of that, it would make my day, for sure.

“Like I said, it’s been a race that I’ve wanted to race, obviously. It’s on my mind, it’s going to come eventually. We’re just waiting to hear, but it’s going to be a cool race, I think. Hopefully, they send the best team, that’s my only thing, I want the best riders going. If I get picked, I obviously want to go there and win and bring home a win for the USA. It’s been a little bit and I think we definitely deserve it.”

Meanwhile, Tomac last represented Team USA in 2018 – also at RedBud – where he scored 4-5 results in his motos. The past three rounds of 450MX have seen Tomac dominate with consecutive overall victories, arguably strengthening the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider’s prospects of being selected.

“We know it’s going to come, right?” Tomac said. “The question is going to come if we can race it, so at this point, we’re the two best guys [himself and Sexton] and I think we should assume we’re going to get chosen for it.”

In the post-race press conference a week earlier at RedBud, he confirmed: “Yeah, we can talk about that. If I’m selected, I’ll be here.”

Both Sexton and Tomac have been the clear standouts outdoors this season, so it would seem they are the likely choice to represent in the Open and MXGP categories. Jason Anderson is the only other American to take a 450MX overall victory in the first six rounds of 2022 – German Ken Roczen being the other round winner – and revealed on Twitter that he would be up to ride a 250 for the event.

As well, on a recent PulpMX Show, TLD Red Bull GasGas’ Justin Barcia also expressed he would not turn down an opportunity to ride in MX2, raising the consideration of a 450 contender being selected to step down to a 250F for the weekend. Post-race at Southwick, Sexton too admitted he would ride a 250 if it came down to it, however, made it clear his preference was to race a 450.

This year’s MXoN takes place on 24-25 September, with the announcement of Team USA’s roster expected in the coming weeks. Pro Motocross resumes this Saturday at Spring Creek, with Sexton holding a single-point advantage ahead of Tomac in the 450MX title race. Justin Cooper is the top-placed American in the 250MX standings, currently P4.

Nichols set to make Pro Motocross return at Unadilla

Section: Competition Post: Troy Guenther

Star Yamaha team to field complete roster in final outdoors

The 250MX return of Colt Nichols is set for round nine of the 2022 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship at Unadilla, marking his first professional appearance since Anaheim 1.

Nichols crashed heavily in the first heat race at A1 while leading and underwent surgery on a pair of broken arms, as well as requiring a skin graft on burns to his back sustained in the incident.

Now healed, last year’s 250SX East champion will join what is expected to be a complete Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing roster in the final outdoor rounds, with Matthew LeBlanc targeting a return in August following a broken collarbone and injured left arm from a crash in moto two at Southwick, and reigning 450MX champion Dylan Ferrandis also aiming to come back at the ninth round.

“We’re excited to have Colt back for Unadilla, he’s been working hard to get back to racing, and we can’t wait to see him out there,” Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 250 team manager Jensen Hendler said. “Matt [LeBlanc] also looks to return by Unadilla, so we’re looking to have our full roster back in action in New York.”

No set return date has been announced for the recently-injured Levi Kitchen, although hoping to return – potentially also at Unadilla – before the season’s out after undergoing surgery on his broken wrist this week.

Levi Kitchen Out

Welp, this blows. After coming off his second moto podium finish of the season on Saturday at the Southwick National, Levi Kitchen announced on Instagram this afternoon that he has suffered a broken wrist. Kitchen earned his maiden holeshot and led his first laps as a pro at the third-round Thunder Valley National in June. The #59 led all 15 laps in the first moto to earn his maiden moto win, then charged to a fifth-place finish in the second moto to claim his maiden overall podium.

Over the weekend, Kitchen jumped to a great start in the second moto and was right on the rear fender of race and points leader Jett Lawrence before finishing second. His 8-2 finishes gave him fourth overall on the day.

The Washington native finished eighth, sixth, third, twelfth, fifth, and fourth overall, respectively, in the first six rounds and sat fifth in the 250 Class points standings. He said he will undergo surgery tomorrow.

Kitchen grew up down the road from Washougal MX Park in Washington and was set to have a meet and greet with fans for his home race as a pro. Unfortunately, with the Washougal National on July 23, the local native will be on the sidelines for this year's event.

Eli's Coming!

Eli's Coming!

Fire Power Honda

Team to make first appearance Pro Motocross within 450MX class.

Image: Supplied.

Fire Power Honda has announced the signing of Max Anstie ahead of his debut with the team at RedBud in this weekend’s fifth round of the 2022 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.

Anstie will ride 450MX at RedBud, Southwick and Millville, potentially as well as the Motocross of Nations (MXoN) at RedBud in late September.

“Being competitive is always my priority and I know that Fire Power Honda can give me what I need to chase my goals in the USA,” Anstie commented. “The first month with the team has been great and I cannot wait to get behind the gate at RedBud. It will be a great opportunity to show just how much work we have done!”

Anstie’s participation in the next three rounds of Pro Motocross marks the beginning of a new chapter for the team, however, didn’t indicate the terms of his contract at this point or whether it will span through 2023, as anticipated.

Following two seasons with HEP Motorsports aboard a Suzuki, Anstie was part of the BBMX-operated Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM team at the beginning of this year, but departed along with teammates Shane McElrath and Joey Savatgy when the team underwent immense changes mid-season and didn’t complete Monster Energy Supercross.

“Max was on our radar from the very start – his success in Europe speaks for itself,” said Martin Davalos, Fire Power Honda team manager. “Winning his class at the Motocross of Nations speaks to his talent and potential.

“Providing a platform for him to succeed in the United States is our priority now. We are entering the next three rounds of Pro Motocross with realistic goals, yet we know that he has already got the speed to be comfortably inside of the top 10.”

Fire Power Honda – owned by Yarrive Konsky – has previously been a Supercross-only team since entering the US in 2020, initially focusing on 250SX East in Supercross this season. Along with its US and Australian commitments, it’s also expected the team will enter the World Supercross Championship (WSX).

1994 HondaCR 500

MXA RIDES A 1994 HONDA CR500 TWO-STROKE RESTO-BUILD

Nathan Alexander, who was the team manager at the Muc-off Honda team in 2021, and is currently Mitchell Oldenburg’s mechanic at MotoConcepts Honda, was the mad scientist who brought the 1994 Honda CR500 to life. Jamie Ellis at Twisted Development was a part of making this project come to fruition and Yarrive Konsky, owner of the FirePower Honda team, is the owner of this CR500. Most of the MXA test riders prefer to race on dirt bikes with modern technology, but we don’t take for granted the days when we get to hop on old two-strokes like this one, to get some perspective for how gnarly the 500cc class used to be and for how far motorcycles have come in the last twenty years. Watch MXA test rider Ezra Lewis have some fun on the 1994 Honda CR500 as we explain how this bike came together and how it ran on the track.

Canard Tops Mammoth MX

Trey Canard made the trek up the mountain and came home with overalls in Open Pro Sport and 450 Pro