Glendale Super Cross...Hunter Takes Red Plate

1. Kenny Roczen

2. Hunter Lawrence

3. Cooper Webb

Remember AXO?

Anyone who frequented the paddocks of various motocross series in the 90s or early 2000s knows the name. AXO was motocross DNA. Neon colors, stretch pants, iconic logos – and world champions who won races with exactly that. Then it went quiet. And now? Now AXO is back. Step by step. With a plan. And with real substance.

From legend to rebirth

AXO was 1978 in Italy Founded and rapidly developed into one of the most influential brands in off-road and motorcycle sports. Not sometime in the future, but... directly on the MX tracks of the worldJeff Stanton, Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael, Antonio Cairoli – the list of drivers who have worn and helped develop the Italians' gear reads like a history book of motorsport.

And suddenly, this very foundation is palpable again. Only now it's been reimagined.

A smart restart

Even before about five years AXO was TRIO SRL Acquired. Not a corporation that exploits brands – but an Italian company with decades of experience in the automotive and motorcycle sectors. TRIO stands for structure, logistics, digital solutions, and long-term brand development. In short: the opposite of a quick fix.

Since then, the brand carefully, but consistently Rebuilt from scratch. First enduro, now motocross. No rushed launches, but a return to our roots.

Back to the field – back into the spotlight

It's clear: AXO means business – and this time we noticed it immediately. The fact that AXO has been equipping the Fantic factory enduro team for two years now has honestly flown a bit under the radar. Enduro, yes – but in Motocross or in MXGP, exactly where we Once home, the brand was suddenly present again. And impossible to miss. At the latest when first official photoshoot des Fantic Factory MXGP Team It was clear: AXO is not just back, they want to be seen.

The new outfits from Albert Forato and Brent Van Doninck are currently still custom made, exclusively for the factory team. But – and this is the good news for all nostalgics and style fans – a Replica product It's supposedly in the works. Exactly what many have been waiting for for years: AXO not just in the paddock, but back at the starting gate.

Currently, AXO is primarily known outside of Italy. available online, but here too the new AXO motto applies: Piece by piece. International sales outlets are to follow – not hastily, but sustainably.

Old soul, new mindset

AXO today is not about nostalgia. It's a modern interpretation A brand with history. Functional, reliable, technically state-of-the-art – but with that unmistakable Italian soul. Developed with riders, for riders. Just like in the old days. Or to put it another way: AXO isn't trying to copy the past, but rather using it as a tailwind.

And now, let's be honest...

If you suddenly find yourself back in the MXGP paddock today AXO When reading this, one almost automatically asks this question – slightly ironic, but full of sympathy: Who actually remembers AXO?

The answer: Everyone who doesn't just watch motocross, but feels it. And AXO is back for exactly those people.

"I still have some of this gear, just can't fit into it anymore. It was great gear. I hope the new stuff is as good as it used to be." MX43

Pro Circuit's Leader on Winning

Mitch Payton: “The job is to win, not to finish second or third” 

At Pro Circuit Kawasaki, the numbers are impressive: 31 AMA titles and more than 300 wins to their name. Yet Mitch Payton’s structure is going through a dry spell. Since Justin Hill’s title in 2017, Pro Circuit Kawasaki have not claimed another Supercross championship crown. Riders have come and gone, wins have been taken, but the title has eluded them for nearly a decade. As head of Kawasaki’s official 250 team, Mitch Payton was present for a roundtable discussion ahead of the Glendale Supercross. Microphone on.

Mitch, Pro Circuit had a good weekend in Houston. Beyond Levi and Cameron’s results, what stood out to you the most?

Payton: I think Levi and Cameron are both riding very well. Starts help a huge amount. In both classes, whether it’s 250 or 450, results depend heavily on starts. It’s a crucial point: if you get a good start, you have a great chance of staying up front. And they both got out front.

A word on your East Coast riders, Seth Hammaker and Drew Adams. Seth injured his shoulder and had to undergo surgery. Drew had an issue during the off-season. How are they doing, and how is it shaping up?

Payton: They’re both doing really well right now. They’re training at the Dog Pound and riding a lot. Drew is really in one of the best shapes of his life, and it’s the right time to be in that kind of form. Seth has been really strong since getting back on the bike, and his shoulder feels better than ever. I think things are going to go very well on the East Coast.

With the recent dominance of Star Yamaha, what do you tell your riders to regain the upper hand? We see a lot of aggressiveness on track, but your riders stay clean.

Payton: I think you have to ride with that aggressiveness. If you look at what happened last week, Haiden did to Levi exactly what Levi had done to him in the past. A lot of people complained when it was Levi on Haiden, but when the situation was reversed, we didn’t go complaining. Aggression is part of the sport. You can’t always stay passive. Motocross has always been an aggressive sport, and that’s important.

Levi spoke about his problems with the holeshot device. He said you finally found the solution. What was it?

Payton: Part of the problem was that his front wheel was lifting on the gate. So we lowered his holeshot device more and more and more, until it was too low. When entering corners, Levi is a pretty smooth rider on the brakes; he doesn’t load the front of the bike very much, so the fork doesn’t compress a lot. Because of that, we had to go back the other way. When he returned to California, we worked on starts and realized that it wasn’t so much the position of the holeshot device that was the issue, but rather the fact that the fork wasn’t compressing enough to disengage it. We fixed that.

Have there also been improvements to the KX-F engine that helped at the start of the season?

Payton: Yes, we improved certain areas during the off-season. We did testing over the winter and thought it might make a difference. When the riders tried the changes, they realized they were much more significant than we had anticipated. We still have a few parts to test that could help, but as always, it takes time, and with different suppliers, things often arrive late.

Overall, the engine is much better than last year. That said, it was already really, really good at the end of the 2025 season. We had made some solid improvements, and these add to that. And I expect even more in the future.

Cameron has had several tough seasons with injuries. His goal is still to win regardless. Happy to see him back on the podium and staying in one piece?

Payton: Cameron is doing — in my opinion — a very good job. If you look at his résumé, he’s won a lot of races, worn the red plate, and been in positions to win championships. It hasn’t quite come together, but he’s riding well. I think he’s going to keep improving and progressing as the season goes on.

You’ve been loyal to Cameron, Seth and Levi, and they’ve been loyal in return. We often hear them say they want to win for you. What does it mean to you to have built such a tight-knit team?

Payton: It’s obviously very flattering. But I think above all, the guys in our team are really good people. They’re not idiots, they’re respectful, and that’s important for our sport. I’ve always been told that good things happen to good people, and I still believe that. I don’t think you need to be over the limit everywhere to achieve your goals.

Despite the Houston podiums, Levi and Cameron seemed to suggest that nobody was really satisfied.

Payton: A lot of people tell us, “Great, you finished second and third.” But for me, the job hasn’t been done. The job is to win, not to finish second or third. That’s our objective, and it’s also our riders’ objective. I don’t think we should lower our expectations; that would be taking the easy way out.

Last question: where is the new Kawasaki two-stroke?

It’s coming soon. Very soon.

Cairoli vs. Herlings

Cairoli on playing mind games with Herlings in MXGP!

Antonio Cairoli has opened up on the mind games he used to play with Jeffrey Herlings when the KTM duo were the fastest men on the planet.

Cairoli would play some games when they went practicing with a fast lap and lure Herlings into riding more and more to prove he was faster!

Cairoli told Jase McAlpine on Gypsy Tales: “I was trying to mix things and then we ride sometimes at the track together, I know he wants to be the fastest guy not only by like a second by like by two seconds – he was riding and riding and riding and sometimes you crashed if you want to really push the limit.

“So let’s say we play a bit. We never ride together so much, but sometimes when it happened, I try to make him ride long, long, long, you know to see if something happened! Because I know he wants to always be the fastest guy.

“Now it is a bit less I think these last year’s because he realized it’s not always lap times. But on those years you always show I’m fastest but not only a little bit…I’m super fast. If you always play with the limit sometimes you find it. So yeah, I was just trying play this kind of stuff!”

Team Managers on Glendale

"My Jaw Dropped to the Floor."

Eli Tomac on MXGP, sand tracks and a rather wild plan

Should  Tomac Ride in an MXGP race? The honest answer: Not ruled out – but certainly not nowIn an interview with RacerX, the US star makes it clear that he's not currently eager to take on any additional commitments on top of his already packed Supercross and Motocross schedule. A spontaneous GP start simply isn't a top priority for him right now.

Focus on the 450 job

Tomac openly states that his focus is currently clearly defined. He wants to establish himself among the top two in the highly competitive 450 class and thus create the best possible starting position – also with an eye toward the Motocross of Nationswhich remains a major goal for him. Extra adventures or side projects don't currently fit into this plan.

If it's MXGP, then please sand.

The MXGP topic isn't completely off the table, though. If it were to happen at some point, Tomac would be the main beneficiaries. the European sand tracks He's impressed. He even says he wishes the US Nationals had more really deep sand tracks. This is exactly the kind of terrain that appeals to him – less for prestige reasons, but more for the driving challenge.

No specific GP track is mentioned as a must-do, but the direction is clear: Sand instead of show, Challenge instead of PR tour.

A glimpse into the future: Enduro instead of gate drop?

Things get particularly interesting when Tomac talks about his long-term ambitions. After his time in Supercross and Motocross, he can well imagine returning to a stronger focus in... technical disciplines To immerse oneself – hard enduro, longer distances, challenging terrain. Things where not only sprint speed counts, but also technique, endurance and mental toughness.

One name is deliberately mentioned: ErzbergTomac knows full well that he would likely pay a hefty price in tuition there – but nevertheless speaks about this kind of challenge with genuine respect and visible curiosity. No PR stunt, but real interest.

Tomac calls the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo "super cool," but at the same time knows exactly what that means: he'd probably "get his butt kicked" there first. Nevertheless, it doesn't sound like a joke, but like a genuine thought for the time after – a personal adventure, far removed from gate drops, triple crowns, and stadium lights.

And now? Back to the title fight.

As exciting as the future may be, the present is clearly defined. For the 33 year olds This weekend, the fifth round of the AMA Supercross Championship takes place in Glendale, where he intends to defend the Red Plate he currently holds. Adventures, sand GPs, or Erzberg dreams will have to wait – for now, only one thing matters: delivering when it counts.

2026 will be a historic #1 year in the Motocross World Championship

Sometimes motocross feels a bit like history pauses briefly – only to then drop a big exclamation mark at precisely the right moment. That's exactly the moment we've reached. Because what we already suspected in NovemberIt is now officially confirmed: The 2026 Motocross World Championship will start the season with two starting numbers 1.

Kawasaki makes it official: Febvre rides the #1

Kawasaki's press release, which has now been published, leaves no room for interpretation. Romain Febvre He will defend his MXGP title with the number 1. It's official: the reigning world champion will compete on his Kawasaki with the #1 in 2026.

This makes it clear: the #1 is not just a design detail, but a conscious decision. Febvre is visibly positioning himself at the top – and taking on precisely the role that has been the exception rather than the rule in MXGP for decades.

Our prediction from November – now reality

Why is this so special? Because we pointed out months ago that something unique was brewing here. The MXGP is traditionally a series of personal numbers243, 84, 222 – numbers that represent identity more than proof of title. That's precisely why our thesis was bold: in 2026, for the first time in over 20 years, both reigning world champions could be riding with the #1.

With the confirmation from Kawasaki, it is now clear: The other half of this scenario is official.

MX2 + MXGP: Two champions, one clear statement

In combination with the already known decision of Simon Langenfelder, who as the reigning MX2 world champion also uses starting number 1, a historical overall picture emerges:

• MXGP 2026: Romain Febvre – #1
• MX2 2026: Simon Längenfelder – #1

A double #1 year, something that hasn't happened since the early 2000s. Not in the 2010s. Not even by chance. But now – deliberately, decisively, demonstratively.

More than a number

The fact that Kawasaki themselves speak of a "dream" is telling. The #1 number doesn't just stand for winning the title in 2025, but for responsibility, expectations, and a point of attack. Choosing it doesn't mean: "I was good." Rather: "I am the standard." That both world championship classes Sending this message in the same year makes 2026 stand out from the crowd. This is no coincidence, no passing trend – it's a clear sign of self-confidence.

Our forecast is based on

Confirmation from Kawasaki makes it official: The 2026 Motocross World Championship will be run with two starting numbers 1.

A rare chapter in MX history. A moment for statistics nerds. And a strong signal to the competition: Anyone who wants to become world champion knows exactly what to do. who needs to be beaten.

SMX Insider – Glendale Preview

How Hunter Lawrence has emerged as a 450SX title threat

Three podiums in four rounds to commence Supercross 2026.

A trio of second-place podiums in a row has Hunter Lawrence positioned P2 in the 450SX standings four rounds into the Monster Energy Supercross season, just four points outside of the red plate and managing to blend speed with consistency through the month of January. It’s that very reason that he has emerged as a newfound title threat in 2026.

As impressive as Eli Tomac (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) has

been to start the new season – including victories at the opening two 450SX rounds in Anaheim and San Diego, as well as topping qualifying on two occasions – it’s the steadiness of Lawrence that has caught attention, and shares characteristics of many multi-time champions of the past.

It’s a subtle consistency that can be deceptive, quietly positioning a rider within striking distance as the season develops. While Lawrence has been impressive in his own right in 2026, the fact that he is only four points off the fast-starting Tomac is somewhat surprising, with the latter having stolen the headlines after four rounds.

While requiring a healthy balance of both speed and consistency, it is consistency – which is less exciting than race-winning flashes – that can often be overlooked in the big picture. For example, Chase Sexton was ultra-fast last year indoors, but it was Webb who stood atop the championship podium after 17 rounds.

The consistent strategy sometimes leaves you wondering how they ended up there by series end, but when you tally up the results, you quickly realize their ability to be there week in, week out, which requires a certain type of pragmatism over being caught up in the typical highs and lows of Supercross.

Lawrence has shown exactly that, and is quickly establishing a diesel-type moniker in the process. The catch is, race-winning pace is there, too, with finishing within inches of the San Diego main event win a couple of weeks back, before a minor error in race one of Houston’s Triple Crown saw him miss the top step of the podium by a single point.

The experienced 26-year-old has the speed and attitude to potentially take the fight all the way to the Salt Lake City finale this year, genuinely emerging as a player in the 450SX title picture in these early stages – as demonstrated by his thought process during the final race last Saturday night.

“We were both pushing a good pace [in the last race],” Lawrence mentioned. “And at the same point in my head, sitting behind him, I’m like, ‘Yeah, I know the race win… the night win was there, and I needed to get him,’ but I also saw he was 13th the moto before or something, so that kind of factored in a little bit just on where my closest championship rivals were.

“I think if I just keep giving myself the best percentage play every weekend, if I can put myself in the top-five around the first turn and click off good laps, good things are going to start happening, and I like my chances over the umpteen races.”

Further insight into how he goes about business can be observed below. There’s a depth to it from an analytical point of view – because every rider has their unique approach – however, there is also not a lot to it for the number 96, who treats racing the same as most treat their respective day-to-day work.

“Yeah, [it’s] just like I’m knocked off for the night – work is done, so it’s easy to wind down and yeah, just go to work,” he continued. “I work on weekends, so it’s just another work day for me. I put in the work during the week, and honestly, I enjoy it, but at the same time, I’m going to line up again next weekend and the one after that. So, we work every weekend from January through to October, and that’s my job. That’s what I do.”

Whatever he is doing is working, because we can finally say that his Supercross skills are effectively now a match alongside his championship-contending form in both Pro Motocross and the Monster Energy SMX World Championship post-season, where the past two years he has factored in each title race.

Supercross had been a question mark, with that particular piece of punctuation firmly erased. This isn’t necessarily a surprise to many, though, it was more a matter of seeing it in action, with Lawrence’s trainer and former Supercross champion Johnny O’Mara revealing that the current form was, in fact, expected for 2026.

“I think he’s doing great,” O’Mara commented following Houston. “Our team thinks he is doing good, and this is kind of where we expected him to be. We know a win is coming, and it’s just a matter of time, but these Triple Crowns are very difficult. He’s his own worst critic – Hunter was hard on himself after that first one, he didn’t feel great, but he knew he had to gather it up.

“We’ll take the result. He knows, he’s a gamer, and he’s in it for the long haul, as I always keep saying – that’s how we look at it. We all know that he’s more of a diesel, so we’re trying to work on the sprint part of his game, where, for Jett, that comes so naturally.

“That part for Hunter has always been a bit tricky for him, but we work on it every single day. We’ll move on to next week, and we know that a win is coming. We took a few points away from the [points] gap there, so we’re thinking of the long game for sure.”

Don’t count out Hunter Lawrence. We’ve heard that same line for many years regarding riders like Cooper Webb and Ryan Dungey, who both became multi-time 450SX champions in their own right. We’re only four rounds in, and he does have to prove he can go the distance, but wins are right there on the horizon, with Lawrence having arrived as a genuine front-runner in the premier class of Supercross.

From motoonline Competition Post: Kane Taylor