JT's Thoughts

Who’s Hot

Cooper Webb won his first round of the season, grabbed a share of the red plate and is heading to a venue where he’s won six prior times and is incredibly proficient at Triple Crown events. That’s a lot of momo.

Ken Roczen may have lost another battle to Webb, but he proved he’s still in this thing. The silver lining is that he’s two points closer to the lead than he was entering Detroit. It’s a weird metric to think about but being closer to the lead is binary.

Levi Kitchen bounced back in a serious way, winning the main event in controversial fashion. Kitchen doesn’t make the rules and did the only thing he could do, maximize the situation. He has a weekend off before Daytona to build from it.

Cole Davies had an eventful break after Glendale but should come in with a lot of momentum and confidence after his last Triple Crown rendezvous.

Jordon Smith won the last west round and should be ready for more. Jordon is in a precarious spot for the rest of the field. He has the most experience and if he can avoid the small mistakes that have plagued him in years prior, look out.

Who’s Not

I struggle to put Chase Sexton here because he is riding so well. But running into the starting gate and crashing on the first lap are preventable and proved costly.

Julien Beaumer blew a golden opportunity in Glendale and will need to erase that sentiment on Saturday. He is more than capable in every way.

Haiden Deegan didn’t have the speed he wanted in Glendale and will want to remove that taste from his mouth in Texas.

Eli...I'll Be Back!

KR's Plan

How Ken Roczen plans to overcome Cooper Webb’s late-race heroics

Motoonline Competition Post: Dylan Wills

The tactics required to hold ongoing 450SX arch-rival at bay in Supercross.

Progressive Ecstar Suzuki 450SX front-runner Ken Roczen knows the narrative all too well – when it comes down to the wire, Cooper Webb has a way of snatching main event victories. Following his P2 finish in Detroit, Roczen acknowledged the reputation that Webb has built with his late-race heroics, vowing to ‘continue trying and charging to not let that happen’.

Image: Octopi Media.

Roczen had a strong ride at Ford Field, battling early with Aaron Plessinger before taking control of the race. He led for the majority of the main event, only to see Webb make his move with just over a minute left on the race clock. It was yet another example of Webb’s trademark ability to strike late, a skill that has caught Roczen out multiple times over the years.

Their history of last-minute duels dates back to Arlington in 2019, where Webb pulled off a dramatic last-corner pass to edge Roczen by just 0.028 seconds, marking one of the closest finishes in Supercross history.

In 2021, Webb capitalized on lapped traffic at Houston 3, making another decisive pass on Roczen in the final moments to steal the win. Fast-forward to Detroit 2025, and the trend continued as Webb’s late-race charge once again left Roczen watching victory slip away, allowing the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider to tie Red Bull KTM’s Chase Sexton in the championship standings.

Despite the outcome, Roczen remained upbeat, reflecting on the progress he’s made: “I know the stigma behind when we go to battle and him getting me towards the end. But I just tried what I could. It was honest work. I had a really good week of training and rebounded after last weekend – that was really important for me.

“Honestly, it was a really fun race. I was really pumped on my starts and the battles. I kept my cool the whole time, even though he was revving behind me and all that stuff, so I was really happy with that… I didn’t let anything phase me. I really tried toward the end and he got the better of me, but I’m happy with a podium, I really am.

“Even though we only got two points closer, I’m doing whatever I can out there and we’re executing our plans that we have coming into the night show. I’m happy with it, it was a good battle, and even just gapping the rest of the field, it just feels good to be up in the mix, honestly. I’m going to continue trying and charging to not let that happen towards the end of the race, but nonetheless, I’m happy with it.”.

With 11 rounds still remaining, Roczen – who wore the red plate in Glendale but is yet to claim a main event victory to date in 2025 – now sits third in the 450SX standings, 16 points behind joint leaders Webb and Sexton as the series heads to Arlington for round six. If he continues this type of form, we could be witnessing the rebirth of Ken Roczen’s career as a genuine title threat once again.

Trey Canard Testing Supercross on Jett's Bike – Is a Comeback Happening?

SX Fill-In for Lawrences? Lars Lindstrom: "We Don't Really Have to…But We'd Like to”

In a matter of a week, we saw both Jett (torn ACL in right knee) and Hunter Lawrence (torn labrum in shoulder) suffer injuries that require surgery and will keep the Australian brothers out for the remainder of Monster Energy AMA Supercross. After today’s action in Michigan—with no HRC CRF450R on the gates—11 rounds will remain in the championship. So, what happens for the 450cc roster for Honda HRC Progressive for the next three months?

The four-rider roster has the Lawrence duo in the premier class with Jo Shimoda racing the 250SX West Division and Chance Hymas racing the 250SX East Division (racing today at the Detroit SX). Chances are (no pun intended) we do not see either Shimoda or Hymas race the 450SX Class on opposite coasts. Shimoda is nursing two broken fingers in his left hand after catching a stray pit board in qualifying at the second round and Hymas is coming back from an injury himself and told media his big picture is a run at the 250 Class AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

There have been some rumors online of a possible fill-in ride, as Steve Matthes wrote in Friday’s Racerhead #7 week recap. A few options could be Shane McElrath, Joey Savatgy, and Dylan Ferrandis, although again, these are just speculation at the moment.  

This morning, Honda posted an Instagram video today of Honda HRC Progressive team manager Lars Lindstrom talking about the possibility of signing a fill-in rider for the remainder of supercross.

In short, Lindstrom said the team does not have to fill either seat, although they would like to if a fill-in ride deal makes sense. Both Jett and Hunter are eyeing a return to racing at the Pro Motocross opener in California on May 24. Maybe we will see someone on an HRC bike next weekend in Texas

Ryan Villopoto -“That Was a Really Really Bad Call, Max Got Robbed”

Ricky Carmichael and Ryan Villopoto dive into the late red flag that stripped Max Anstie of his second-straight win and provide their thoughts on if throwing the red flag at that time was the right call or not.

Ryan Villopoto on Ricky Carmichael on the Red Flag – “I think that was a really, really bad call. They should have let the clock run down those last seven seconds and then called the race if it was an immediate situation that needed to be addressed on the track. I 100% think the call was wrong, especially with the seven-second lead Max had. Now, if we were in a bar-to-bar battle, I think that would justify a staggered restart and an all-out sprint. What i saw is a bad call being made.

With Honda HRC left without a single rider in the 450 class following Jett and Hunter Lawrence’s injuries, longtime test rider Trey Canard could be stepping up in an unexpected way.

Jett Lawrence, the reigning 450SX champion, suffered a shoulder injury during a practice crash before the start of the 2025 AMA Supercross season, forcing him to sit out the entire championship. His older brother, Hunter Lawrence, who was set to debut in the premier class full-time, also sustained a serious injury—a broken scapula—leaving Honda’s factory squad completely sidelined.

For years, Trey Canard has been a crucial part of Honda HRC’s testing program, helping develop the CRF450R race  bike. However, the 2010 250SX East champion and 2015 AMA Motocross 450 overall winner had made it clear that he had no intention of returning to professional racing. That all changed today when Canard posted a video of himself testing Supercross on Jett Lawrence’s #1 bike, captioned: “Ready to get back to this.”

Canard last raced an AMA Supercross event in 2017 before retiring due to repeated injuries throughout his career. A fan favorite known for his smooth style and resilience, Canard amassed five 450SX main event wins and a 250SX championship during his time as a professional racer. Despite retiring, he has remained heavily involved in Honda’s development efforts and even made a brief return to racing at the 2022 Motocross of Nations, representing Team USA.

With Honda in desperate need of a replacement rider, could Canard be gearing up for an official return to Supercross? Fans are already speculating, and if this comeback happens, it would be one of the most unexpected storylines of the season.

Hunter Lawrence Confirms SX Season-Ending Injury – Surgery Required!

Hunter Lawrence’s night at the 2025 Tampa Supercross took an unfortunate turn after a crash in his heat race. The incident saw him land on tuff blocks, forcing him to withdraw from the event. Following further medical evaluation, Lawrence has now provided an update on his condition.

“I got the MRI results back, and my shoulder has some fractures, which isn’t an issue compared to the torn ligament that is requiring surgery,” Lawrence shared. “Going to get it fixed and come back 100% to go and battle for the Outdoor and SMX title again. Thank you to all my amazing partners who continually support us and are the reason all this is possible. We will get this 2025 turned around soon enough.  See you at select upcoming races for the @factoryfanzone.”

While this injury means Lawrence will miss upcoming Supercross rounds, his focus is now on recovery and making a strong return for the Pro Motocross and SMX season.

Hunter Lawrence posted – “I got the MRI results back and my shoulder has some fractures which isn’t an issue compared to the torn ligament that is requiring surgery. Going to get it fixed and come back 100% to go and battle for the Outdoor and SMX title again. Thankyou to all my amazing partners who continually support us and are the reason all this is possible, we will get this 2025 turned around soon enough see you at select upcoming races for the @factoryfanzone“

Tusk Digital Radiator Fan Kit Universal

Details

The Tusk Universal Digital Radiator Fan Kit is a great way to keep your bike cool when the trail gets rough. The easy-to-use computer has a large digital display that is universally mounted for great visibility and ease of adjustment. The computer comes pre-set to turn the fan on at 190 degrees Fahrenheit, but is easily adjusted up or down to the temperature you desire. The heat sensor fits into the fins on your radiator so there is no cutting into radiator hoses. The high-quality Panasonic fan promotes great air flow, durability, and is extremely efficient only using 15 watts while pushing 130 CFMs! When in need of quality parts or accessories for you motorcycle, ATV or UTV, think Tusk!

• Digital motorcycle radiator fan kit to keep your bike cool.
• High quality, efficient 4" Panasonic fan that only pulls 15 watts when running.
• Fan Airflow 130 CFM to quickly cool radiator.
• Universally mounted computer allows you options on placement.
• Fan "turn-on" temperature preset at 190 degrees, but is easily adjusted if desired.
• Comes with universal hardware for multiple options for mounting.
• Operates with standard 12V battery systems.

• Please check the documents tab for sizing and instructions.

Essential Farleigh Castle Vets MX entry info

The wait is finally over - entries for the 2025 Farleigh Castle Vets MX powered by Concept will open at 7 pm on Friday, February 28th.

The Farleigh Caste Vets MX is the original UK vet’s motocross event. In 2025, it will be its 18th running on the traditional September weekend of the 11th to the 14th.

With all new promoters in 2024, the classic event continues to improve and will continue to do so in 2025. Many upgrades will be made, one of which is the addition of an over-40s Evo plus group to accommodate the high volume of entries from this demographic of riders. In addition, the ever-popular twinshock class will be split, with double trophies for both over-50 and 60-year-old riders.

Classes are as follows

• Super Evo Open (up to 1996 over 30s)
• Evo Ultra Open (up to 2008, over 50s)
• All 125s (up to 1996, over 30s)
• Evo Open (up to 1989, over 30s)
• Evo Open (up to 1989, over 40s) - new for 2025
• Evo Open (up to 1989, over 50s)
• Twinshock Open (over 50s)
• Super Evo Open (up to 1996, over 50s)
• Evo Ultra Open (up to 2008, any age) - new for 2025
• Farleigh Castle Team Race (invite only)

A new entry system is in place for 2025, which will speed up the sign-in and scrutineering process on the Friday of the race. The system is established, well-known, and works flawlessly, and it will streamline the process on that day.

Before entries go live, all riders must complete their rider profiles (at no cost) on the new entry system using the link below.

https://platform.rhlactivities.com

Riders won’t be able to compete in a race for the fastest finger when the entries go live at 7 pm. on Friday, February 28, without completing a rider profile beforehand.

Any teams looking to register their interest in submitting a team entry, please do so by emailing hello@farleighcastlesvetsmx.co.uk

Free Spirit

Honda HRC Strengthens Its Lineup for the 2025 MXGP

The HRC Honda team is going to take some beating in the 2025 FIM Motocross World Championship as last year’s impressive trio of Tim Gajser (MXGP), Ruben Fernandez (MXGP) and Ferruccio Zanchi (MX2) will be joined by Valerio Lata (MX2). This well-rounded lineup has generated plenty of excitement as they prepare for what could be a highly successful season.

Of course, that shouldn’t come as a surprise when you consider the accolades of five-time world champion Gajser, who narrowly missed out on his sixth title at the final round of 2024. Despite that disappointment, he was able to rebound quickly and put in an incredible performance at the Motocross of Nations in Matterley Basin, going one-one and quickly reminding everyone that he’ll be the man to beat this coming season.

Fernandez is in a different situation, given how he missed a large portion of the 2024 campaign, but the Spaniard showed on his return that he is a force to be reckoned with, when he got back to full-fitness and with a complete off-season behind him, he’s ready to show the speed that saw him take victory at the opening round of the 2023 season. And while the track they visit in Argentina for round one this year is different than the one he won at, the #70 knows what he is capable of, and is excited at the prospect of starting afresh in ’25.

A rookie in the MX2 class last year, Zanchi made a solid debut in Honda HRC’s reintroduced 250cc programme. Despite the challenges, the young Italian delivered several strong performances, ultimately finishing 10th in the championship standings. Now, with a full season of experience and further development of the CRF250R, Zanchi is determined to take his performance to the next level. Relocating to Belgium over the winter demonstrates his commitment to improving, and he is eager to showcase his growth on the global stage.

Valerio Lata, the newest addition to the team, arrives with an impressive European motocross resume and the determination to continue his success in the world championships. Having already earned a podium as a wildcard rider in 2024, Lata has proven he has the speed necessary for the MX2 class. However, he understands the challenges of a full season and has used the winter to adapt to the bike while enhancing his fitness in preparation for the demanding 20-round schedule. Lata is eager to make his official debut with Honda HRC and is excited about the opportunity to prove himself on the world stage.

Before the season kicks off, the team will head to Mantova, Italy, for the Internazionali D’Italia on February 9, allowing the riders a chance to get in a few competitive races before the championship begins in earnest. Following that, the riders will choose from events in Montevarchi (Italy), Sommieres (France), and Cadiz (Spain) for additional preparation before traveling to Cordoba, Argentina, for the season opener. With a strong lineup and high expectations, the Honda HRC team is ready to showcase their capabilities in the 2025 World Motocross Championship.