Max Anstie Has Emergency Surgery

Max Anstie: Emergency surgery – dramatic days after Seattle

It's the stories behind the results that sometimes cast sport in a completely different light. While fans in Seattle were still discussing Max Anstie's strong podium finish, a serious medical drama was already unfolding behind the scenes. As his wife revealed on Instagram, the Briton was suffering from severe abdominal pain on Saturday evening – immediately after the race.

Initially, it seemed like typical race-related stress. However, the symptoms worsened throughout Sunday and escalated dramatically during the night leading into Monday. His condition deteriorated so severely that he had to be taken to the hospital in the early hours of Monday morning.

The diagnosis: acute appendicitis. Anstie underwent emergency surgery that same day – immediate removal of the appendix was necessary. A procedure that brooks no delay.

Podium in pain

In retrospect, the weekend's result takes on a completely new meaning. The fact that Anstie stood on the podium despite already experiencing symptoms underlines his mental strength and professionalism once again.

His wife called him a "champ" in her statement – ​​not only because of his sporting success, but above all because of his perseverance in the face of physical pain. On Tuesday afternoon, he was allowed to leave the hospital. His family was able to pick him up – a moment of relief after several intense days.

What are the next steps?

Although an appendectomy is considered a routine procedure, the body still needs time to recover. Patience is especially important in the demanding environment of the Supercross circuit. Whether and when Anstie will be able to return to racing remains uncertain. The five-week break in the 250SX Western Regional series will certainly benefit him in this regard.

One thing is certain, however: the Seattle podium takes on a completely different significance in retrospect. Sometimes it's not just the seconds on the clock that impress – but the will to even be at the starting line.

Tags: AMA Supercross,Max Anstie

The 17-Bike Heist – How Kailub Russell Helped Crack a North Carolina Theft Ring!

In November, Kailub Russell became the victim of a massive theft when 17 dirt  bikes belonging to him and his children were stolen from his Yadkin County, North Carolina home.

After reporting the crime on November 7, Russell quickly began receiving tips from others who had experienced similar thefts — many pointing toward Raleigh. Within 36 hours, he had gathered names, addresses, and even photos of suspects riding one of his son’s stripped bikes. Frustrated by what he felt was slow progress from local investigators, Russell took matters into his own hands.

Working with a private investigator, he traveled to Raleigh and conducted four days of surveillance. They captured video evidence of individuals handling at least two of his stolen motorcycles inside a residence. Although initial calls for immediate action were declined due to a larger ongoing investigation, the Raleigh Police Department’s Auto Theft Unit later executed search warrants at multiple locations Russell had identified.

Authorities recovered two of his bikes during the raids. Another was later found abandoned in woods off Poole Road. The breakthrough continued into January when Russell’s wife spotted their son’s stolen Cobra CX50 Jr listed on Facebook Marketplace under “Big Al’s Trap Catering” in Raleigh. Coordinating with the Auto Theft Unit, police arranged a meet-up and arrested the seller on the spot.

The case ultimately expanded beyond Russell’s loss, leading to broader action against individuals tied to multiple dirt  bike thefts across North Carolina.

Russell’s experience highlights how persistence, independent effort, and collaboration with responsive law enforcement ultimately led to arrests and recoveries — after what began as a deeply frustrating investigation.

Kailub Russell – “I took this video nine days after my home was robbed — November 16th. Let me back up. On November 7th, my wife woke me up in a panic. Seventeen of my dirt bikes — mine and my children’s — were gone. Vanished from our home. We immediately called 911, and the Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office responded promptly. A lengthy and detailed investigation was supposedly set in motion. Within hours of posting about the theft, I was flooded with messages from people who had experienced similar dirt bike thefts. Every road led to Raleigh. Within 36 hours, I had names, addresses, and photos of individuals on my son’s dirt bike — stripped of its graphics. I met with a detective and the Sheriff from Yadkin County, along with an agent from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Instead of feeling like I was helping move the case forward, I felt like I was the one being interrogated. I left that room frustrated and in disbelief. So frustrated, in fact, that I told the lead detective to be quiet — that I would go get the evidence myself. And that’s exactly what I did. With the help of several resources — and yes, fueled by my obsessive personality — I headed to Raleigh. On the way, I spoke with the SBI agent assigned to the case and made them aware of my plan: to gather evidence and prove where my property was. I was told that attempting to go to the address would be “problematic” and that I’d be in more trouble than the people who stole my bikes. That didn’t sit right with me. Eventually, I connected with the Raleigh Police Department Auto Theft Unit — and they became the turning point. The only group that actually made a dent in this case. I brought them everything I had. I hired a private investigator to work alongside me in Raleigh — and I’m glad I did. We spent four straight days conducting surveillance. During that time, we captured the video you’re watching now. We were sitting on a home that we knew had at least two of my motorcycles inside. Once I had undeniable evidence — video proof of them handling my property — I assumed law enforcement would move in and help recover it. I called immediately. Sent the footage. Then I waited. Forty-five minutes later, I got a call back: “We’re not sending anyone. It’s part of a bigger investigation. We have the opportunity to hit multiple locations at once and maybe recover 50  bikes instead of just two.” I went home defeated. So did my PI. I had solved my own case and handed them proof. I was so frustrated I wanted to drive my rental car straight through the garage door just to force a response. Five days later, the Auto Theft Unit executed search warrants at several of the addresses I had already identified. They recovered two of my bikes. Weeks later, another one turned up — dumped in the woods off Poole Road in Raleigh. A woman walking her dogs found it torn apart and hidden in the trees. Her son reached out to me on Instagram. I contacted the Auto Theft Unit, and they retrieved it for impound. About a week later, a detective from Yadkin County called me as if he had just broken major news — that they had “found” one of my bikes. Fast forward to January. My wife and I were searching for a new Cobra CX50 Jr for our daughter. She happened to check Facebook Marketplace — and there it was. My son Colyn’s  bike listed for sale under “Big Al’s Trap Catering.” Location? Raleigh. With help from several people, I coordinated a meet while I was in Florida. The Raleigh Auto Theft Unit set it up. When the seller showed up, they arrested him on the spot. A week later, they had enough evidence to go after the individuals responsible — not just for my theft, but for a long list of others across North Carolina. Here’s the moral of the story: Don’t let one loud, angry neighbor convince you that everything was handled properly from day one. The truth is, the breakthrough came from persistence, outside help, and a department willing to act. Some did their job. Some didn’t. But I wasn’t going to sit back and let 17 bikes — and my kids’ memories — disappear without a fight"

Five Questions: Jeffrey Herlings

Motoonline.com  Regulars Post: Kane Taylor

Five-time world champion outlines HRC transition.

One of the most intriguing moves of the MXGP silly season was long-time Red Bull KTM leader Jeffrey Herlings defecting to the Honda HRC Petronas program, signalling a major shift as the five-time world champion enters the latter stages of his career. In this Five Questions feature, the 31-year-old Herlings outlines this newfound transition and what we can expect in 2026.

Image: Supplied.

Jeffrey, obviously, you’ve only been with the team since January 1. How difficult has it been to have this short timeline and is the aim to be ready for Argentina or is it sort of more to be aiming to win a little later?

I mean, the team might have time, but I don’t, because I don’t have 10 years more of racing in me, so I need to deliver, and I need to deliver quickly. Obviously, as you said, because I was just starting on January 1 and we’re only in February, [I] had a very short notice to get my clothing set up, to get my helmet, boots set up, to get my bike set up, to get everything set up. I just had like five, six weeks until now, and so we’re still learning, discovering, but I think we’re already on a good base, also on the bike. I think there’s a lot of potential, a lot of possibilities on the new bike. It’s kind of a prototype, it’s a new bike, it just came out, so for sure like I said there’s a lot of potential, but I need to deliver, I need to deliver quick, I’m aware of that, so yeah I don’t have time to keep waiting through the season – I need a few races to get myself warmed up. I could see last weekend, once again, I didn’t have the intensity, but hopefully by [Argentina] I’ll be good to go, and then hopefully we can start fighting for victories quickly.

Having seen you on the Honda in videos, it looks like you’ve taken a liking to the bike. Is there any moment you wish maybe changed teams sooner to experience new machinery at a different point in your career?

It’s always hard to say. My time at KTM was good as well, you know, I’ve accomplished a lot with them, so no negatives to them. For sure, we had ups, we had our downs, but I look back at a good memory with them. But it’s always been my dream to race for Honda HRC. I remember back in the days we were already negotiating, I was really close to signing with Honda in 2016 already, and then for me, there was only one option if I were to leave KTM – it would be for Honda. It’s been my childhood dream, and now that I’m on the bike, I’m really surprised how good it is. I do get on a new prototype bike, so you know [it] would have been easier if I had stood on the other bike, the previous one, because they had so much experience and years of development in it already. So now it’s in its infancy, the new bike which I’m riding, so it also gives me a lot of hope that there’s so much potential left in the bike. But yeah, you know, coming to the team now, I know it’s the latest stage in my career, but I have no regrets about not coming earlier because, as I said, I had a great time at the other team as well. But it’s a blessing, and yeah, a thing I should I never wanted to miss is to go to Honda HRC, so I’m very happy I made this decision.

The last couple of seasons were marred by serious injuries before the season started. How did you approach this year to hopefully avoid that situation again?

Obviously, the first race hasn’t started in the MXGP series, but I mean motocross is a risky sport, there’s a lot of risk involved, so injuries are part of the sport. Last year, I missed the start of the season – it was the first two races, and then I got back racing with just a couple of days on the bike, and I really had to build myself back into it because the first races were a big struggle as I was six months out with an ACL injury. But for now, I’m feeling good, I’m feeling fit. I do feel the lack of racing, as I saw in Mantova, just the intensity wasn’t there, but that’s why I do these races to warm up and get ready for the first GP. As I said, I don’t have many chances left, so every chance I have, I need to take it with both hands, and yeah, just really feeling good and fit right now.

 

This year, it feels like the veterans versus the rookies in the class. Does this make it exciting for you?

I mean, it feels to me like it’s just the same guys over and over again, so I don’t see any big changes yet. There are a couple of guys coming up, but I think it will be the same guys who’ve been fighting for the championship this year, as it has been the last couple of years. Just the party will be a bit bigger because there are two or three more new riders getting involved. But yeah, definitely looking forward to it, I feel like I can still do it, if not, I wouldn’t have even started, you know? Like, if I look at the last few races last year when I was healthy, I won most of them and got like five podiums straight and won three out of the last five races, I think, so definitely super excited. This is a completely new adventure, a big new motivation, you know, after 17 years working with one team, then going into a new team for the last two or three years of your career makes things quite exciting and just brings a hell of a lot of new motivation. So yeah, definitely nice to race with the rookies, but at the end of the day, this championship is so long with 60 motos, so it’s about consistency. You saw in the past, you saw last year with [Romain] Febvre just being there every single weekend, being consistent. I think that’s the thing that will bring you a championship.

In America, Jorge Prado went from KTM to Kawasaki. Was that worrying for you, seeing someone of his talents struggling to cope with the change of bike, or did it provide a sort of motivation that you wanted to show that it is possible?

The change from KTM to Kawasaki is a different thing from the change from a KTM to a Honda. I think a Honda is a more proven bike, you saw even in the US with Jett [Lawrence], you saw in Europe with Tim [Gajser], so I think it’s different. Obviously, it gave me some time to think about it, because I never tested before I signed up with Honda HRC. So, I never tested the bike, and it was kind of a gamble, you know, so I never knew maybe it was not going to fit, maybe it was going to fit much better than my KTM. I didn’t know, but right now, as I’m on the Honda, I have no regrets. As I said, it’s a brand-new bike, and how good it is already, I think there’s much more potential in the bike, and yeah, definitely looking forward to this year’s racing.

Tom Vialle...MXGP calling

Double MX2 world champion talks debut premier class campaign.

The 2026 MXGP World Championship season marks a significant chapter in the career of Tom Vialle, with the 25-year-old Frenchman set to make his premier class debut with Honda HRC Petronas following three seasons – and consecutive 250SX East titles – in the United States. In this Check In feature, Vialle speaks about his European return and shares his initial impressions on the factory CRF450R.

Image: Supplied.

Tom Vialle, you’ve returned from America to join the Honda HRC team this year for the first time in the MXGP class. How has that transition been? Obviously, you were in Europe before, but what’s it been like being back in Europe, and how have you adapted so far?

Yeah, it’s been nice actually. I’ve been three years in the US and then I was four years before that here in Europe. It’s my first 450 season, so the winter so far has been pretty good. The goal is to obviously, in the next year, to be as successful as I was in the 250 class, so yeah I’m trying to work as hard as I can to get there, but there are still a lot of things to learn on the 450. So yeah, the goal is to work hard and get there as soon as possible.

Another world championship would put you with three world titles, something that no Frenchman has been able to do in the major classes outside Yves Demaria in MX3. Is this something that’s a goal of yours, or how do you feel about becoming possibly the most successful French world champion?

we have two days of racing, so a couple of things that I have to adapt again. But I’m sure it will be quick, and I did four seasons here in Europe in the 250 class, so I know how the system and the race weekend goes so it will be quick to adapt again.

Chase Sexton says he’s very excited to watch the GPs this year because you’re in it. You obviously had a very good relationship, but he says he wants to race you in Ernee [at MXoN]… Would you be excited for that, and are you looking forward to potentially being part of Team France?

Yeah, I mean, we all know the Nations is always a big race, especially in France in Ernee. I was there in 2023, and we won the race, so that was one of the best weekends of my life. It was really a crazy weekend with so many fans, so hopefully this year I can be able to race. Of course, it is Team France who decides the selection of the rider, and it would be nice to ride against Chase finally. I was in the US in the 250 class, he was always in the 450 class, so we’ve been training a lot together for the last two years, but yeah, if I’m selected to do the Motocross of Nations (MXoN), it would be nice to race against him.

I actually didn’t know that, but now it will be obviously my dream and my goal for the next years. This is my first year in the 450 class, so I have a lot to learn. It’s also a new bike, a new team for me, so a lot to learn, but hopefully we can achieve it, and as you said, that would be awesome if we can do it.

You had tremendous success in your 250 career with championships in America and in Europe, of course. Now you’re making the step up to the 450 class. What do you set as your expectations for this year, and what would be a successful year?

It’s hard to say. I’ve just done my first race in Mantova – my first 450 race – so it’s hard to say. GPs and the pre-season races are always quite a big difference, but try to build step by step during the season. Of course, the first step is to be on the podium and try to fight for [the] win if we can, that’s the goal and to be as consistent as possible. It’s a long season, we have almost 20 GPs, so a lot can happen and we try to be there every weekend, that’s my goal and try to be better and build through the season and see. I can’t really say my expectation because I haven’t raced a GP in the 450 class, so we will see after Argentina where we are, and then we try to improve for the next races and be better during the season.

After several seasons in the US, what do you think is going to be the most difficult thing to adapt to being back in Europe again?

I think the bike. This is a new class, like I’ve said, for me, so getting used to the power of the 450, racing new guys that I’ve never raced before. So there are a lot of new things that I need to get used to. But also the tracks, I mean, we all know the tracks in the US and in Europe are a little bit different. The good thing is I know the tracks [here], but I have to get a little bit back in the rhythm and get to know the type of tracks. It’s a long weekend in MXGP, we have two days of racing, so a couple of things that I have to adapt again. But I’m sure it will be quick, and I did four seasons here in Europe in the 250 class, so I know how the system and the race weekend goes so it will be quick to adapt again.

Chase Sexton says he’s very excited to watch the GPs this year because you’re in it. You obviously had a very good relationship, but he says he wants to race you in Ernee [at MXoN]… Would you be excited for that, and are you looking forward to potentially being part of Team France?

Yeah, I mean, we all know the Nations is always a big race, especially in France in Ernee. I was there in 2023, and we won the race, so that was one of the best weekends of my life. It was really a crazy weekend with so many fans, so hopefully this year I can be able to race. Of course, it is Team France who decides the selection of the rider, and it would be nice to ride against Chase finally. I was in the US in the 250 class, he was always in the 450 class, so we’ve been training a lot together for the last two years, but yeah, if I’m selected to do the Motocross of Nations (MXoN), it would be nice to race against him.

Whoops...We Don't Need No Stinkin Whoops!

Herlings Hauling on the Honda!

There was a time, he was the fastest man on the planet. From around 2016 until 2021, before his season of not racing due to yet another injury, no man could beat him if he was fit. When he was fit was the problem, because between the world titles and GP wins, he spent a hell of a lot of time on the couch.

In my mind, he should have been the GOAT, and it all came down to his preperation, which probably helped and hindered him. Working harder than anyone else in the sport, day after day, after day on the bike, speed that was blinding fast and a desire to destroy his opposition. At times he even made the likes of Eli Tomac, Antonio Cairoli and Tim Gajser look average.

We don't really know what Jeffrey Herlings we are going to get in 2026, but you can count on one thing, he isn't leaving a stone unturned on his quest for a sixth world motocross championship.

What I do know, he looks cleaner and classier now on his new bike, in his new gear and the fact the HRC photo shoot (for action pics) was washed out and we have hardly seen a good action photo of "The Bullet", just makes his arrival in Argentina and the opening round of the MXGP championship that much more of a mystery.

Prado Out for Arlington

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Jorge Prado will sit out Round 7 of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship in Arlington, Texas, this weekend. Prado will continue his recovery after crashing heavily in the final qualifying session at Seattle, sidelining him for the remainder of the event in order to undergo further evaluation on his right shoulder.

While no major injuries have been determined, the four-time world champion will take a week off his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION as a result of excessive swelling and irritation in his shoulder joint, prioritizing his health with the goal of returning for the Daytona Supercross on February 28.

Ian Harrison, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: "Following Jorge's crash in qualifying at Seattle, we had his right shoulder checked out, which he has injured previously. While there are no major injuries that have been found, other than the excessive swelling and irritation in the region, it has been decided that Jorge will take a week off the bike and his goal is to be back for Daytona if he is in a position to do so. We are not in a title fight with Jorge and his health is the absolute priority, so with some more therapy I am sure that he will be back and competitive again as soon as he is ready."

Prado has been exceptional since reuniting with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for 2026 in the U.S.-based SMX World Championship, finishing on the Main Event podium in third at Anaheim 1, also achieving three Heat Race wins (Anaheim 1, Anaheim 2 and Glendale), in addition to qualifying quickest at both Glendale and Seattle.

KR..."Yeah I Was A Little Heated"

"A little bit of a brain fart from him..." | Ken Roczen on Hunter Lawrence Incident

Sexton on fifth in Seattle

Monster Energy® Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Levi Kitchen had the hometown crowd on their feet as he delivered a standout performance to take second place in the 250SX Main Event at Round 6 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in Seattle. Teammate Cameron McAdoo powered through adversity to secure a solid fifth-place finish. Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Chase Sexton put in a solid effort on the day to take home fifth place in the 450SX Main Event. Garrett Marchbanks rebounded from a late race incident, but without enough time left in the race, the No. 36 Kawasaki would ultimately finish 22nd.

Sexton stated he will do even more testing this week to find answers: “Today was a bit frustrating for me. I expect to be at the front right now, but we’re not there yet. This week we worked on starts a lot and it paid off, as we saw today. Right now, I’m headed back to Florida and the team is going to come out and test more with me this week. We’re hopeful to make some positive changes and come into Arlington ready to fight.”

Seewer & Ducati 2026: A game of patience or a warning sign?

January wasn't a typical preparation month for Jeremy Seewer, filled with endless training sessions, but rather a period of intense technical fine-tuning. While others were already gaining race experience, the 31-year-old spent many days in Sardinia in test mode – gathering data instead of waiting on the starting gate. The goal: to bring the Ducati to a level where he could not only keep up, but also be himself again.

Jeremy Seewer go with Ducati Corse into the next MXGP season – but there's little sign of euphoria. Instead, sober analyses, technical issues, and the hope for new parts dominate.

Lots of analysis, little racing experience

Seewer skipped the first pre-season races. A move that raises questions – but also reveals a lot about the current state of the project. The direction is clear: more groundwork than cosmetic results in February. But the downside is obvious. Race toughness isn't developed in testing programs, but in direct competition. And that's precisely where it will become clear whether the development work pays off.

According to Seewer, the Ducati is noticeably better than last year. Nevertheless, the final piece of the puzzle is still missing. That sounds like progress – but also like a project that isn't yet where a title contender should be in February. However, anyone still waiting for crucial frame components in February isn't in attack mode – but rather in development mode. And that's certainly debatable in the second year of a factory project.

Wilvo effect: More structure, more influence

With the operational switch to the Wilvo-led factory team, several things have changed internally. More manpower, clearer structures, fewer financial constraints. Ducati remains the technical driving force, but the team is more involved. For Seewer, this means: more of a voice – but also more responsibility.

His assessment of the internal dynamics is interesting. According to the Zurich native, his taller teammates have apparently been coping better with the Desmo450 MX so far. This delayed the problem analysis. Only when the Results during the Internazionali d'Italia EICMA Series 2026 When things weren't quite right in the race setup, it became clear that the limit wasn't solely due to the rider's skill. An honest, almost brutally honest assessment – ​​and an indication of just how fine the line is between "works" and "isn't enough" in MXGP.

The bike sets the limit.

Particularly revealing is his assessment that everyone is currently performing at a similar level at the absolute limit, and that additional speed is only possible through increased risk. This sounds less like the self-evident assessment of a contender for victory and more like the reality of a driver still grappling with the technical limitations of the package.

It's clear that for 35 minutes at the limit, he needs not only fitness but also confidence. Seewer intends to work on precisely that in Belgium before his first race in Sommières. Argentina is coming soon – and the competition is fierce.

Broad tip, small margin of error

The 2026 MXGP season promises an even closer competition. New faces like Kay de Wolf and Andrea Adamo will be in the mix at the front, while returning riders like Tom Vialle will bring additional quality to the field – the room for experimentation will shrink. In such a densely packed starting grid, every technical detail will become a factor. A bike that isn't perfectly suited won't just cost tenths of a second, but positions.

That's precisely why the situation surrounding Seewer and Ducati seems like a balancing act. In motocross, nothing can be forced. Anyone who tries to compensate for a lack of performance by brute force will pay the price sooner or later – either on the track or physically.

The focus is therefore not on grand pronouncements, but on substance. Crucially, the Ducati must function in such a way that Jeremy Seewer can once again ride intuitively – without overthinking, without constant corrections, without compromises when entering corners or braking. Only when this fundamental confidence returns can the foundation for consistency be built. And only on this basis can progress translate into genuine aggression.

Will the new parts make the decisive difference? That won't be revealed in the test, but in the first Grand Prix, when for 35 minutes no excuses will count.

And that's exactly where the real test begins – for Seewer and for Ducati alike.