A Simple Fix

Washougal Race Within a Race...A Big Joke!

The AMA 450 Nationals have become boring. Yes Jett and Chase are fun to watch but there is no drama or excitment. Too many top riders still out hurt. The Two Stroke race at Washougal was a chance to give the fans something to get excited about but as usual the AMA/Pro Motocross fumbled the opportunity. It was nice to see a payday for some guys that rarely see much of a payout. However, imagine the race if the two stroke engine restrictions were dropped for this race. Carson Brown might have been top ten or maybe more riders would have been on two strokes. Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki may not like it but KTM/Husky/GasGas/TM might love it. The new fuel injected 300's would add some excitment. curiosity, debate to a dull series.

While we think about change, how about going back to qualifiers instead of the very boring timed qualifiers. Sure some guys on a punched out two stroke would occasionally knock a factory rider out of qualifying but thats racing and the fans would love it.

Just my random thoughts!

MX43

Where's Bam Bam?

CATCHING UP WITH JUSTIN BARCIA

Justin Barcia broke his collarbone at the Nashville Supercross, and infection after his surgery caused his collarbone injury to become much bigger. Thankfully, Justin is back on the bike and looking forward to getting back to the races soon, maybe as soon as Unadilla. MXA’s Josh Mosiman is in Italy for the 2024 GasGas intro, and Justin is here riding stock bikes and hanging out.

Vision to Reality: The Development of Triumph's Motocross Chassis

The wait is over! Join Ricky Carmichael, Bobby Hewitt, Dave Arnold, Ivan Tedesco and Stephen "Scuba" Westfall as they discuss Triumph's new motocross chassis and why it's been worth the wait.

Unadilla Sand Is Coming!

EKS Brand When Nature Calls!

Do you think this guy could use the new EKS Lucid Zip Offs?

The LUCID goggle offers one of the widest fields of view available in a goggle. It also allows the goggle to utilize a class-leading 45mm extra-tall roll-off system for absolute clear vision on the ugliest of days.

The LUCID WAVELATCH is a new type of lens locking system that keeps the XDO injected lens secure and sealed tight. It allows the rider to quickly swap-out their lens to another tinted lens or Zip-Off system with just the slide of their thumb. Easy and quick!

The EKS BRAND Lucid Zip Off’s come standard with two rolls of ultra thin film, an injection molded anti-fog coated lens help prevent any condensation or fogging. The Lucid Zip-Off lens also includes integrated bearing film strips to allow the film to slide effortlessly across the lens.

Two Zip Off canisters, a motor side and a spool side and a moisture visor to keep dirt and wetness from penetrating under the film.

The EKS Brand Zip Off’s allow the rider to have nearly 35 pulls of clear vision to get through a race or a long day of riding.

• XDO injection molded lens
• XDO lens features hard coat & anti-fog treatment 
• WAVELATCH quick-change lens tabs
• Integrated zip-off bearing strips
• 45mm Zip-Off canister system
• 2 - rolls fo 45mm film
• 1 - Zip-Off visor

Goggle Compatibility:

• Lucid Goggle

Get a great discount when you plug in mx43 at checkout.

www.eksbrand.com

GASGAS 380cc TWO STROKE RAW

This bike would light up the current 450 Nationals. Time for the AMA and the Japanese manufactures to wake up and free the two stroke.

Eli's Back!!!

Tomac Excited for 2024 Return 

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac puts ink to paper for another year of racing 

Monster Energy Yamaha Racing is excited to announce that Eli Tomac will return in 2024. Today during a celebration kicking off the Yamaha dealer meeting in his home state of Colorado, the 2022 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 450SX and Pro Motocross 450MX Champion announced that he is returning for a third season with the team.

Tomac has been enjoying a successful tenure with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team and the YZ450F. In 2022, it was a stellar start with two titles and a Motocross of Nations victory, and so far he has amassed an impressive tally of wins with 14 in supercross and 14 outdoors. The Colorado rider was on track for another landmark season this year, surpassing supercross greats and claiming the runner-up spot on the series' all-time win list with his 51st premier-class victory at the Glendale Triple Crown. Tomac also made history with his seventh Daytona Supercross victory. The win not only topped the record he set last year as the winningest supercross rider at the Daytona International Speedway but also tied NASCAR legend Richard Petty’s record for the most wins at the iconic venue. He had a commanding lead in the 2023 450SX Championship but unfortunately, was sidelined for the year after rupturing his Achilles’ tendon at the penultimate round in Denver. Tomac’s return to full fitness is ahead of schedule, and the multi-time champion is eager to get back on track.

Vision...Do You Have It

Technology never stands still and Atlas Brace is always at the forefront of new innovations. Many riders have difficulty with full neck braces but still want neck protection. That's where the Vision fits. Check it out at atlasbrace.com. Now you can have comfort and protaction!

The Vision anti-compression collar is the “front only chest protector” of the neck protection world. A device designed for one specific purpose, void of anything that doesn’t contribute to that single job. This complete overhaul of the neck protection category leap frogs the competition with a simplified minimalist form, addition of advanced and proven materials, and the biggest improvement in user experience since the birth of neck protection

By only being built up over the shoulders, the Atlas Vision aims to reduce compression forces only. By removing the traditional front and rear “shelves” of a neck brace, range of motion is increased enabling us to provide an option for anyone who struggles to wear a traditional full-frame neck brace.

Not a neck brace
Unlike traditional full-frame braces, the Vision is what we like to call an "Anti-Compression Collar" - a brand new category of neck protection developed by Atlas that can ONLY assist with compression, and lateral hyper flexion (head sideways) forces on the neck. Traditional full-frame braces, like the Atlas Air, help manage these forces along with Hyper-Flexion (head forward) and Hyper-Extension (head back) using their built up front and rear "shelves".

Built for the masses**
This product is for everyone who wants neck protection, but has found it impossible to wear a full frame brace. Bring on the short necks, large helmets, and bulky body armour - the Atlas Vision is made for you!

50% greater reduction of impact forces (Compression only - vs Atlas Air)
Made possible by D3O - Industry proven advanced impact absorbing material used in a wide range of applications from extreme sports to military. Padding has been custom engineered to fit the function and design of the Vision Collar, and can withstand multiple impacts with no reduction in performance unlike traditional padding materials used on every other neck brace

66% more range of motion (vs Atlas Air)
Introducing Pro-Motion, a drastically increased range of motion allows you to freely see up and down hills, at your feet, to the sky, or tuck and roll during a crash

45% lower weight (vs Atlas Air)
Simplified design removes everything you don't need, leaving behind only the smallest, most effective components. The feeling of freedom is undeniable.

Compression Only design
Unique design removes the front and rear shelves of a traditional full-frame neck brace for improved mobility, while focussing on reducing compression - the most deadly forces that happen with nearly every neck related motorcycle accident

Height Adjustment
Just like our Atlas Air, taller pads are included in the box and make fit easier for longer necks, smaller helmets, and/or other needs

Slit-Flex Frame
Split frame design promotes flex to mimic natural body movements for maximum comfort and mobility. This was developed over a decade ago with our Atlas Original brace, and is one of the core features leading to the highest customer satisfaction of any neck brace

Spine & Sternum Free
Each Vision sits around your spine and sternum, yet another feature we pioneered over a decade ago that is still just as relevant today

No tools, no hassle
Unique design removes the need to adjust for chest thickness. Because it sits high on your shoulders/back, the front can self-adjust up or down based on your chest thickness

Easy Open
Super strong 7075 Aluminum Easy Open release system makes removing effortless, reliable, and tough - Same system as our full frame braces produced after 2018.

2nd Gen Hybrid Strap
New Hybrid Strap design still uses the thick/thin strap combination for comfort, but splits the strap into two pieces like a traditional set of "X-straps" to make the improve the user experience

Multi-Use*
Each Vision is suitable for all non-seated activities that require a full-face helmet. This includes Motocross, Supercross, Offroad/Trail riding, BMX, mountain biking, Snowmobiling, ATVs, etc

*We do not recommend using this product for seated/belted activities like car racing, side by sides, or similar, as they are not intended for this type of use
**If you currently wear a full frame brace we recommend you continue wearing one for the added hyper-flexion and hyper-extension assistance

Outdoor podium sets Anderson up for SMX series push

Motoonline.com Competition Post: Troy Guenther

Ending 2023 on a high the target with post-season approaching.

A podium at Washougal marked a timely boost for Jason Anderson in the closing stages of the 2023 season, with third overall on Saturday setting him up to push for more success post-season in the hybrid-based SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) rounds.

Anderson sustained a non-displaced fracture in his C5-C6 vertebrae during a practice crash at the Nashville round of Monster Energy Supercross, ruling him out until round five of the 450MX season at RedBud.

Round eight marked his strongest overall result in this year’s Pro Motocross season to date, qualifying second fastest before notching a consistent 4-4 scorecard for P3 overall alongside Team Honda HRC duo Chase Sexton and Jett Lawrence.

“When you come back, obviously, for my skill and how I believe I can ride, I have no doubt I can be on the podium with these guys,” Anderson said. “But for me, when I did my neck injury I couldn’t do much because they say, like, the vibration can make the bone not heal, so I was chilling [laughs].

“Like when you chill that long, it is hard to come back. That’s the hardest thing, I feel like I got a little over two weeks, to be on the level of these guys and the level that they are at, I think, is higher than I think we’ve seen in many years. They are doing it really smooth and they are doing it so much different. For me, I wanted to comeback, I felt like I could be on the podium with them and I really want to learn and just improve my craft.”

A unique dynamic for 2023 is the introduction of the SuperMotocross World Championship playoffs, with three post-season events to take place on hybrid track layouts to crown SMX champions for the first time.

Following the second Pro Motocross season break, three 450MX rounds remain for Anderson to build form before the SMX finals commence on 9 September at zMax Dragway. The Monster Energy Kawasaki rider is currently seventh in the combined 450SMX standings.

“For me, it would just be nice to have success toward the end of the season, because even in Supercross, it was tough for me,” Anderson added. “Not only were my races not going good, but I was also having such a life change. I was having my daughter mid-season, and that was my priority, and I wanted to have my daughter and now we are going to the races and are ready to start focusing on that.

“That’s kind of where I am at. It would be nice to get to the SMX, battle for hopefully some wins in some of those races and yeah, just end the season on a good note and try and enjoy myself as much as I can.”

'Good, Bad and Ugly' reflects on miscellaneous points from the eighth round of the 2023 Pro Motocross series, Washougal. What would you put under each subheading? Travel to the forum to join the discussion or share ideas on social media (@VitalMX on Twitter and Instagram). For now, however, read on for some thoughts on Jason Anderson, Jed Beaton and Austin Forkner.

GOOD

Octopi Media

Jason Anderson has had a difficult season, to say the least, as 2023 Monster Energy Supercross was just miserable for him and his return to Pro Motocross was far from smooth. '21' has turned a corner over the last two weekends and is starting to some crucial momentum as the SuperMotocross World Championship beckons. Not to mention the off-season, in which he'll be tasked with fine tuning that new 'green' machine. Confidence will be a massive part of ensuring that process is as seamless as possible, so this recent swing is going to be beneficial in more ways than one.

Back to the present day though, Washougal was an important rebound after a difficult Millville. A third in moto, which is still a season-best result, was followed by an unavoidable fall on lap one of moto two. One would presume that was a punch in the gut in more ways than one. "When it rains it pours" leaps to mind and Washougal was a crucial way to avoid falling back down that rabbit hole. It was obvious that such a mindset consumed him indoors and halted any progression. Now, could he win a couple of briefcases of cash come SMX?

BAD

Octopi Media

Jed Beaton was a rather welcome addition to the Pro Motocross series. International flavor in the form of Anton Gole or Jose Butron is cool, sure, but Beaton is a moto winner and just over twelve months removed from being a factory rider. Although he has been rebuilding in his native Australia, he aspires to claw his way back to the top of the sport and compete for podiums. This is not, and was never meant to be, some sort of bucket list exercise like it is for the others. This tale takes an unfortunate turn, as poor luck ruined his wildcard outing.

Beaton is a lot better than what he showed in what was a last-minute decision – he was testing in Southern California and figured that racing against the best was an opportunity far too good to be missed. An issue with the throttle cable (it got caught in the tube and housing, so jammed) forced him to retire from moto two prematurely and that was it. The end of an American adventure. Now, he needs to focus on completing the job in Australia's national scene and securing a Grand Prix deal for next year. This is a star that belongs on the world stage.

UGLY

Octopi Media

People around the world grimaced when Austin Forkner crashed at the start of the first moto. It was eerily like the Anaheim 1 fall that destroyed his knee, as well as his term, but he could return to his feet on this occasion and then fought as hard as possible to finish out the race. It was probably inadvisable – his Fox Racing jersey was torn and so a bloody body was clear for all to see. Forkner refused to be knocked down again and that grit was an indication that he will do everything in his power to return to the level that he should be at.

Would it be a surprise for Forkner to be a championship contender come the SuperMotocross portion of the schedule? Not at all. Recency bias is everything in sport – "you are only as good as your last race" – and so the potential that he harnesses is overlooked by many. '55' has the skillset to be the strongest in both 250SX and 250MX. All he needs is a base to build off and, by finishing moto one this past weekend, he took a step to establishing that. It is a process that can be interrupted so easily, but perhaps lady luck will smile on Forkner on this occasion.

Tomac Talks Recovery and Jett

Eli Tomac was on hand at the 2024 Alpinestars gear intro, on Sunday after the Washougal National. MXA's Trevor Nelson caught up with Eli to hear how his summer has been, how life at home has been and how it's been to watch the Nationals from the sidelines. In this interview, Eli compliments Jett Lawrence and shares that he's working on his future racing plans.