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

Billy Bolt on the Beach!

Works Connection's New Ride

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.