Hunter's To Lose!

Grant Langston on the MC Industry

It's episode No. 2 of the Racing Jack show and we catch with legendary motocross racer Grant Langston to talk about how a health issue brought his career to a devastating end, but how his perseverance helped turn disappointment into a thriving business venture. We head to Langston Motorsports in Perris, California to talk about the motorcycle industry, some of the best and worst moments of Grant Langston's legendary motocross and Supercross career, including his devastating KTM wheel failure that cost him a championship in AMA Pro Motocross at Steel City Raceway in 2001 against Mike Brown, his best advice to aspiring motocross racers and their families, if some dirt bike racing families are going too far and pushing their child too hard, if racing and powersports will die in California and how Langston and his business is staying one step ahead. We also ask Langston abut his take on the current crop of Supercross talent and if Jett Lawrence is on pace to be the greatest racer of all-time. We also take a look back at Langston's motorsports announcing career and how it came to a bizarre end in a strange time. We take a look around Langston's successful motorcycle dealership and discuss the addition of Honda to his lineup. Finally we get Grant Langston to offer up his very best life advice. Enjoy the story or motorcycle pro and former motocross and Supercross world champion Grant Langston

Cleveland Supercross triple-crown – mudder?!

Hunter Lawrence has a ten point lead over Ken Roczen and fifteen points over Eli Tomac in what is a already a stressful title fight in the home stretch but, to make things even more interesting is rain and thunderstorms are predicted for Saturday in Cleveland!

With three main events in each class in the afternoon, it could be a wild day for everyone involved from mechanics to riders and could turn the championship on it’s head.

Steve Matthes has tweeted that provisions are already being made for the weather and there may only be two main events:

From sound check to lost victory: How penalties will suddenly decide races in 2026

Round three of our slightly different race recap. What only plays out on the sidelines in the results lists will increasingly move into the center of the AMA Supercross Championship in 2026: the penalties. Not as spectacular isolated incidents, but as a consistent feature of every race weekend.

The penalty reports from Daytona to St. Louis reveal less chaos and more a system that is beginning to take hold – and drivers who are realizing that even small details suddenly matter. Between sound checks, track cuts, and red cross flags, a second, parallel ranking emerges alongside the track itself. One that doesn't determine lap times – but rather how long a weekend truly resonates.

Daytona – When the bike is louder than the excuse

Daytona was one of those weekends where you have to look twice to even find any penalties. And then you realize: it's not just about the driving anymore. Luke Neese He loses his fastest lap – not because of a mistake on the track, but because his bike was too loud during the sound check. Motorsport 2026: Speed ​​is no longer enough, quietness is also essential. 

Jalek Swoll On the other hand, he probably thought that a little fine-tuning at the starting gate couldn't hurt. And it did: two positions lost. In the end, the realization remains that even the ground before the start is now under scrutiny.

Indianapolis – The one mistake that still counts

Indianapolis delivers perhaps the most unspectacular penalty report of the season – and that's precisely why it fits the picture so well. Luke Clout It cuts the route, loses a position, done. 

No big drama, no outrage. But also no more "no one will have seen it." The system now functions like a silent passenger, noting everything down – even the little abbreviations.

Birmingham – When “just a short cut” suddenly costs you victory

In retrospect, Birmingham feels like the moment when a small rule violation suddenly becomes a big story.

Haiden Deegan He cuts the track in the Main Event – ​​at first, it seems like one of those typical cases: a slight advantage, a one-position penalty, and off he goes again. Except this time it's not "just" one position. It's the decisive one. Deegan loses the victory due to the penalty – and a seemingly minor infraction becomes the central turning point of the entire race.

Cole Thompson Deegan also receives a position penalty for the same infraction, but this remains a minor detail. The difference is that Deegan's decision changes the outcome at the top – and that's precisely where a single position suddenly feels significantly more important.

Evan Ferry In parallel, there's the harsher version: aggressive driving, five points deducted, a fine, two penalty points. That sticks too – but it's Deegan's lost victory that makes Birmingham more than just another entry in the penalty log.

St. Louis – Minimalism with impact

St. Louis almost seems like a quiet race day after that. One violation, one name: Carter BieseRider interference in qualifying, one penalty point. 

Nothing more happens – but nothing more is needed. The system is already set up in such a way that even a single entry carries weight. It's no longer about how much happens, but that something happens at all.

Detroit – When isolated incidents become a system

Detroit is the point where the whole story takes a different turn. Suddenly, there's no more chance involved, only structure. Sound violations are rampant across the entire field – whether in the 250 or 450 class. Fastest lap gone, next one please. Almost like a systemic flaw.

Then came the Red Cross violations. Six of them, spread over the weekend, from qualifying to the main event. Marchbanks, Nichols, Moranz In the final – five championship points deducted, plus a fine. No room for interpretation, only consequences.

And as if that weren't enough, another detail emerges that almost goes unnoticed: Stopping on Track.
Chase Sexton and Hunter Lawrence They lost their fastest lap in qualifying for precisely that reason. No spectacular mistake, no contact – they simply came to a stop. And yet: their lap was deleted.

That's perhaps the most interesting thing about Detroit. Not the big fines, but the sum of the small things that suddenly all count.

And right in the middle Friese wins...who really pushes the limits. Aggressive riding in the main event, ten points deducted, a fine, three penalty points on his license. The 35-year-old is far more than just a name on the penalty list this AMA Supercross season – he's practically a constant presence. While many riders appear sporadically, his record spans multiple races.

In total, he already has -15 championship points to the book, in addition to that 7 penalty points on the licenseThe path to this point is not a slip-up, but a development: aggressive driving in Anaheim 2, ignoring blue flags in San Diego, and finally the climax in Detroit with another harsh intervention by race control. 

What's striking is that it's not the individual penalties that stand out – but their total. Friese is accumulating points not only on the track, but also off it. And that's precisely what currently makes him the benchmark for how quickly the new system can be established.

And now?

When you put these laps together, you don't get a chaotic jumble, but a fairly clear picture. The days when penalties were simply "race notes" are over. Now they're part of a driver's story. Sound checks, track cuts, flags – everything is recorded, everything is left behind.

Or to put it another way: You used to make mistakes. Now you keep track of them – whether you want to or not.

Sexton "comfort zone"...What's That?

Sexton 'somehow' finishes fourth within 'comfort zone'

Section: Competition Post: Kane Taylor

Races forward in Nashville to narrowly miss the podium.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Chase Sexton said that he ‘somehow’ finished fourth while riding within his ‘comfort zone’ at Nashville, the former 450SX champion content with his result while continuing to search for answers onboard his factory KX450SR.

Following a difficult run of races and despite qualifying P8, Sexton managed to rebound in the main event after starting well outside of the top 10 and working his way forward in technical conditions during the daytime program at Nissan Stadium.

“Fourth, I had a really good flow, which is all I could really do out there,” Sexton suggested. “I was just riding in my comfort zone and got fourth somehow – I had pretty good speed at the end. I was close to a podium, so we’ll try and get better from here. The track was very, very tricky because it was really slick, but we’ll keep showing up – I’m never going to quit.”

Aside from his victory at Anaheim 2, Sexton has endured a mixed first Monster Energy Supercross season together with Kawasaki in 2026, only claiming one other podium upon return from injury with second position in Detroit.

“It’s been really tough,” he reflected. “Mentally, physically, it’s been tough – I’ve hit the ground a few times. And, yeah, I just haven’t been able to ride like I know how, which is frustrating. But I go out there and give it my best effort every time – I’m not going to quit.

“We’re trying, but… starts haven’t been great, for one. And then two, I just haven’t been riding good. My speed has been terrible and just lacking in a lot of areas – more than just one. So, [we’ll] try and get better.”

Sexton is currently ranked sixth in the championship standings, despite missing a stretch of three races mid-season between Daytona and Birmingham. He has gone 2-DNF-4 since returning to action.

Riola as a reality test – what the drivers really say

The MXGP of Sardegna delivered exactly what was expected from this weekend – and at the same time exposed precisely what often gets lost among the results. Riola forces the riders to be honest. In the paddock, but above all with themselves.

The statements made after the weekend therefore all point in a similar direction: fewer excuses, more context.

Between claim and reality

Jeffrey Herlings He sums it up pretty directly: "I felt like I was the best of the rest again." At the same time, he adds: "He (Lucas Coenen) was simply better this weekend."

This sentiment is echoed by many. Herlings sees progress – “I feel like I’ve gotten closer” – but remains realistic: “I just need to find a bit more speed.”

It sounds similar when Tom Vialle, but from a different perspective: “I drove better than the result shows.” The pace and starts were there, but “I made too many mistakes – and in the sand that costs you an extreme amount of energy.”

When the feeling is missing

One recurring theme is a lack of trust in the bike. Calvin Flanders He describes it very clearly: "I had problems feeling comfortable and really pushing all weekend." Only a change to the suspension brings an improvement: "For the second run, we changed the shock absorber and I felt better."

Non-personal or anonymized information remains protected by tax secrecy. Disclosure to third parties is only allowed if no identification is possible and both states confirm that no harm to tax administration will occur. Valerio Lata goes in a similar direction: "I've never really found my flow." This is a particular problem in the sand: "I need to find a way to move forward more."

Small steps that count

Others learn something from precisely such conditions. Albert Forato Despite the fall, he speaks of a "positive weekend" and of having "taken a small step forward".

Reuben Fernandez He assessed his weekend in a similarly sober manner: "I remained consistent and avoided mistakes." This was crucial, especially under these conditions.

Non-personal or anonymized information remains protected by tax secrecy. Disclosure to third parties is only allowed if no identification is possible and both states confirm that no harm to tax administration will occur. Brent Van Doninck He sees progress – despite the injury: “Two out of three starts were very good – that’s definitely positive.” At the same time, the ambition remains: “It was okay, but we want more.”

When speed is there – but not enough

A recurring pattern is particularly evident in the MX2 field. Guillem Farres sums it up perfectly: "The speed is there, but I couldn't maintain it throughout the entire weekend."

Camden McLellan He experienced a similar weekend: "I made it difficult for myself." Good starts, but constantly set back. "I had to fight my way from the very back to the front." The reason for this could have been his painful shoulder.

Non-personal or anonymized information remains protected by tax secrecy. Disclosure to third parties is only allowed if no identification is possible and both states confirm that no harm to tax administration will occur. Mathis Valin This confirms the picture: "The speed was there, I was close to the podium." But small problems – in his case early in the race – change the entire course.

Sand is unforgiving.

What makes Riola so special is particularly evident in its statements about mistakes and their consequences. Romain Febvre He describes it concretely: "The fall didn't cost me a position, but a lot of energy."

Tim Gajser He experienced a weekend in which exactly that happemy sewned several times: "I fell twice and had to work my way from back to front."

Non-personal or anonymized information remains protected by tax secrecy. Disclosure to third parties is only allowed if no identification is possible and both states confirm that no harm to tax administration will occur. Pauls jonass Calling it what it is, "Typical Riola – it's always tough here."

The leaders are racing a different race.

While many are preoccupied with their own races, the pace at the front is on a different level. Herlings sums it up in his own way: "I was able to keep up the pace, but not maintain it over the distance." And then comes the comparison that sticks: "Even someone like Jett Lawrence would probably have had trouble staying with him today."

That's not an exaggeration – it shows how high the current level is.

Development under pressureTim Gajser

Despite everything, it is precisely these weekends that make progress visible. Simon Langenfelder speaks of being “really proud” of their own performance after the team put a lot of work into the setup.

Kay Karssemakers describes the process: "We build ourselves up every week." The goal is clear: "The next step is the top 5." Also Janis Reisulis He sees primarily the positive: "We know where we need to improve."

More than just a result

What remains is not a classic race weekend with clear lines. Riola delivers more of a situation than results.

Some drivers are close, others are still struggling with fundamental issues. Many have the pace – but not the consistency. And almost all of them know pretty much exactly why.

Or how it Jeremy Seewer In short, he said: "We must continue to work hard to improve."

Manuel Lettenbichler is chasing the next title

If anyone is currently setting the pace in hard enduro, it's Manuel Lettenbichler. The German enters the 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship season as the defending champion – and the situation is clear: anything other than another title would be a surprise.

The scale of the scene

Lettenbichler hasn't just ridden his way to the top in recent years, he's firmly established himself there. Five world championship titles speak for themselves, and four race wins and two further podium finishes in the 2025 season underscore just how consistently high his level is. It's this combination of control, race intelligence, and physical strength that currently makes him unassailable in hard enduro.

The fact that he also competed in the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship during the winter fits the picture. Despite missing two races, he still managed sixth place in the overall standings – not a result that immediately stands out, but one that demonstrates his versatility. Indoor, outdoor, extreme racing: Lettenbichler performs in every environment.

A season start with character

The new season kicks off with the Alestrem in France – a race known for its brutal conditions and which also serves as a benchmark for the rest of the series. Afterwards, the series traverses several continents: Portugal, the USA, Italy, Sweden, Italy again, Lesotho, and a final double-header in Turkey and Spain.

Nine races, diverse terrain, constantly changing demands – precisely the environment in which it's decided who is truly complete. For Lettenbichler, it's less a question of speed than consistency. Avoiding mistakes becomes the key currency.

More than just a World Cup

What makes the 2026 season even more special: In addition to the World Championship, two of the most prestigious individual races are on the calendar.

At the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo Lettenbichler starts with the goal of securing his fifth consecutive victory – a historic statement, should he succeed. Hardly any race embodies the DNA of hard enduro as much as the Erzberg: short distance, maximum difficulty, no second chances.

With the Red Bull Romaniacs A completely different challenge awaits a few weeks later. Multi-day, tactical, and grueling – and also on terrain where Lettenbichler has long since set the standard. He already has two consecutive victories here; a third would further cement his dominance.

Self-confidence as a constant

“I feel really good ahead of the season,” says Lettenbichler himself. He is particularly looking forward to the opening race in France; the preparation has been intensive, and the package of team and motorcycle is just right.

What's striking isn't so much what he says, but how he says it. No grand pathos, no exaggerated pronouncements – rather a sober clarity. The ambition is there, but it's not staged. That perfectly matches his presence on the bike.

The real challenge

Lettenbichler's biggest challenge in 2026 lies less in the competition than in maintaining consistency across an extremely packed schedule. The World Championship series, Erzberg, Romaniacs – physically and mentally, this is a limiting factor, even for a dominant rider.

But this is precisely where his strength lies. While other riders shine in isolated bursts, Lettenbichler delivers consistently over months. This ability to maintain his performance could once again be the decisive factor this season.

The situation is therefore clear: The defending champion starts not only as the favorite, but as the benchmark. And everything indicates that this will not change anytime soon.

KTM Tops Enduro GP

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia and Andrea Verona have made an outstanding start to the 2026 FIM EnduroGP World Championship, securing multiple wins and podium finishes at the opening round in Custonaci, Sicily. Garcia claimed the overall victory on day one plus a podium finish on day two, while Verona secured a superb runner-up result on day two at his home event. The team leaves Italy leading the EnduroGP, Enduro1, and Enduro2 standings after a highly competitive opening weekend.

Friday night’s Super Test provided the perfect start to the new season, with Garcia setting the benchmark to take the win aboard his KTM 250 EXC-F. Verona impressed on his debut EnduroGP appearance for the team, placing third overall and immediately putting himself among the frontrunners.

Garcia carried that momentum into Saturday’s racing, delivering a composed and confident performance to take control of the event from the opening lap. Winning four tests and placing inside the top three on a further four, the Spaniard led throughout the day to secure the overall victory by just under six seconds, while also claiming top honors in the Enduro1 class.

On Sunday, Garcia faced a tougher challenge, with a handful of small mistakes dropping him down the order early in the day. Regrouping well, he pushed hard through the final laps to climb back to third overall and claim his spot on the podium. Josep also delivered when it mattered in Enduro1, charging on the final lap to secure his second class win of the weekend.

Competing on home soil, Verona delivered a strong and consistent ride aboard his KTM 450 EXC-F to secure third overall on Saturday. Charging into contention early, the Italian set the pace with a third-place result on the opening lap and remained firmly in the fight throughout the day. Pushing hard on the last lap, Verona capped off his performance with a powerful final test to lock in a well-earned podium finish. In the Enduro2 category, Verona was dominant, controlling the class from start to finish to claim a convincing victory.

Verona built on that performance on Sunday with an impressive ride to second overall. Settling into a strong rhythm early on, he moved into podium contention by the end of lap two before delivering a standout final test to secure second place overall. At the same time, Andrea completed a clean sweep in Enduro2, taking his second class victory of the weekend and capping off a hugely successful home round.

After the opening round, Garcia leads the EnduroGP standings by three points over teammate Verona, while also heading the Enduro1 standings following his double class victory. Verona sits second overall and leads the Enduro2 championship by eight points, securing a 1-2 in the overall standings for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing after round one.

The 2026 FIM EnduroGP World Championship continues with round two at the GP of Spain in Oliana on May 1-3.

Josep Garcia: “The first race of the year is done and Saturday went perfectly. Today I was feeling really good, but I had a crash in the cross test where I twisted my ankle a little, and after that it was difficult to get back into my rhythm. Still, I’m happy to finish the day strong, take third overall, and secure another win in Enduro1. Leaving Italy with the overall lead is a great way to start the season, and I’m already looking forward to my home round in Spain.”

Andrea Verona: “We’ve completed the first weekend of the EnduroGP season, and it’s been really close from the first test to the last. Today I felt good on the bike and was able to improve compared to yesterday, making fewer mistakes and staying consistent throughout. The gaps were very tight, so I’m happy to come away with the Enduro2 win and second overall, just a few seconds from the victory. It’s a strong start to the season, and I’m looking forward to round two in Spain.

Eli & Jorge...What a Day!

Eli Tomac: “What a day – the whole day was good, other than the Main Event result! I was comfortable with my setup all day, so I’m just frustrated not only with the bad gate selection – I should have avoided the inside on the start – but also the crash. That bad start really put me in a tough spot from the get-go and I had my work cut out for me trying to make passes on such a slick, tight track. I lost a bunch of points today, but all I can do at this point is ride my best at the remaining rounds and let the chips fall where they may.”

Tomac then added on social media: “It’s been a tough month of racing. Really thought yesterday was going to be a turnaround, had an awesome qualifying and heat race and then all I did was make mistakes in the one that mattered.”

 

Also equipped with the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, Spanish standout Prado recorded the fifth-fastest combined qualifying time – highlighted by P3 in the opening session – before powering to the holeshot and a third-place finish in 450SX Heat 2.

The 25-year-old ran up front during the early stages of the Main Event, crossing the line in third on Lap 1, and was contending for a podium position through the first half of the race. An incident around the midway point unfortunately dropped him outside the top 10, as Prado would go on to claim 13th position.

Jorge Prado: “It was a frustrating Main Event in Nashville. I felt good all day, and I’m just upset with myself that I wasn’t able to execute the plan I had in my head for the race. I knew I had to push hard – push it to the limit every lap – if I wanted to be on the podium. I feel I had what it took to be on the podium tonight, so I’m disappointed. My bike was good all day and good enough to be up there, so it’s frustrating to know that one mistake cost me what could have been a great night. But the positive is I’m here to learn this year, and learning every week is what I’m doing. I will regroup, keep putting in the work this week, and be even better next weekend.”

Lucas Coenen on a statement 1-1 ride in Riola!

Lucas Coenen might just be the fastest man on the planet right now after he went head-to-head with Jeffrey Herlings in the deep Riola sand and came out on top both times!

Coenen caught and passsed Herlings in race one to pull away to the win but Herlings was up for it in race two and kept Coenen in sign and within six seconds until the last ten minutes with third place 40 seconds back!

Herlings seemed to finally relent as Coenen got the gap to 12 seconds but then he went down and suddenly Herlings was back within striking distance and probably wishing he hadn’t eased off! At one point a resurgent Herlings got alongside Coenen but couldn’t quite make the pass as the two sand masters put on a clinic in the final few laps in a lesson in pure determination to win.

Coenen held on to make it a perfect day and maintain a 14 point lead over Herlings in the championship – if Herlings had found away past it would have been down to eight points!

An exhasted but happy Coenen said: “Yeah, we know the Bullet, (Herlings) but I made a gap and then I think he kind of relaxed and then somehow I was finding a better flow and like it (sand) grabs you so quick so I went on my ear and then didn’t breathe!

“I saw 84, I knew he was on my back and I said, ‘I can’t lose this one, I need to win it.’ I made a statement in the sand, so I’m so pumped! Thanks to the team, we worked really hard, I didn’t feel good at all in the warm-up so we made it happen and I’m so happy to win.:

It’s looking like Herlings v Coenen for the title with Vialle still lurking in the shadows but, right now, even Jeffrey Herlings is looking for a tiny bit more pace to beat Lucas Coenen for this title as the 18 year old sensation shows the world that he just might be in the conversation as the fastest rider in the world right now.

What a performance!