Moto Goes Metal

PRO MOTOCROSS SERIES TO USE METAL START GRATE FOR THE FIRST TIME

Entering its 51st year of racing, the Pro Motocross series is now implementing the use of metal starting grates at all eleven rounds of the 2023 season. We first saw metal grates used at the Monster Energy Cup in 2013. The Monster Cup was a great event for FELD to try new things because it wasn’t directly tied to the points-paying Monster Energy Supercross Championship—as its own standalone race, the Monster Cup could implement the unique Triple Crown format (now used in Supercross at three events a year) and even the joker lane (which thankfully hasn’t been used in regular races). Yes, the Monster Cup is no longer, but the metal starting grates remain. They are now standard procedure at every Supercross and MXGP race, but the AMA Outdoor National series was the last Championship sticking with the grassroots style of starting in the dirt.

As laid out in the latest Mx Sports Competition Bulletin 2023-1: Pro Motocross Rules Finalized, starting grates will now be used at all eleven of the Pro Motocross races.

BIGGEST QUESTIONS ANSWERED: METAL GRATES

Who has to pay for the gates? Mx Sports does. Just like in Supercross, the promotor of the series will transport the same 40 metal grates to each round and install them. So don’t worry, if Hangtown, Thunder Valley, Red Bud, or Unadilla is your local track, they aren’t getting rid of their dirt start full time (at least they don’t have to), this is only for the National.

Who’s idea was to bring metal gates to the outdoors? The factory teams. After racing on metal gates for the entire Supercross season, spending countless hours practicing starts in the preseason and in between races, as well as spending hours and money into developing ECU maps and engine packages for the metal start grates, the factory teams don’t want to put it all aside to go back to dirt for the summer. It’s much easier for them to stick with what they’ve been doing all year so far.

JUSTIN BARCIA INJURY UPDATE: BROKEN COLLARBONE, SHOULDER & RIBS

The Nashville Supercross marked Justin Barcia’s 66th consecutive start, which was the longest active streak. Unfortunately, that streak will end this weekend as he is now sidelined with an injury. Justin’s crash a the 2023 Nashville Supercross was not pretty. He went over the bars on the dragon’s back jump which led into the whoop section, and immediately you could tell he was hurt.

Justin and the team waited until Thursday morning following the race to release an update. Justin explained that he broke his collarbone, shoulder, and two ribs in the crash, but he didn’t give a timeline for his return to racing. We know he’ll at least be out for the final two Monster Energy Supercross rounds, and, depending on how bad the shoulder injury is, it will be difficult for Barcia to be on the line at the opening Round of the Pro Motocross season, as it will be here only four weeks after his crash.

Is Herlings fast in the Sand...He's Fast!

Jeffery Herlings getting ready for Spanish MXGP.

FMF

With the countdown to the start of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, well underway MX Sports Pro Racing has announced the return of FMF Racing as the “Official Exhaust” of American motocross. As one of the longest supporters of this storied championship, the Southern California-based manufacturer of high-performance exhaust systems will fittingly celebrate its 50 years of business and the “Power of Fun” throughout the summer, paying homage to the indelible and pioneering legacy of one of the sport’s most iconic brands.
 
“It’s no coincidence that the beginnings of FMF Racing coincide with the infancy of the Pro Motocross Championship, as both now boast a half century of showcasing the absolute best of what American motocross has to offer,” said Davey Coombs, President, MX Sports Pro Racing. “The sport blossomed out of the booming Southern California racing scene, fostering motocross’ first domestic superstars and one of its most influential brands in FMF. As this championship has continued to grow, so has the passion-driven business started by Don Emler Sr. in 1973, who together have become standard bearers for success. FMF’s roots in support of Pro Motocross span almost as long as the company itself, which has made the brand synonymous with this prestigious championship.”

FMF, an acronym for Flying Machine Factory, was born out of obsession by founder Don Emler in 1973, who was in search of ways to go faster and, in turn, having more fun. A tinkerer by nature, Emler was fond of mechanical things and set forth discovering ways to make dirt bikes fly. His curiosity and devotion led to the first high-performance aftermarket exhaust systems used by the sport’s fastest riders and has continued to grow throughout the past five decades, making FMF an industry powerhouse and a household name amongst motocross enthusiasts.
 
“Throughout our 50 years of existence one thing that has remained constant is a commitment to having fun. We come to work every day with the goal to make riding dirt bikes fun for everybody, from the weekend warrior to the factory racer. The sound, feeling, and even the smell associated with twisting the throttle is something that can’t be replicated,” said Donny Emler Jr., FMF Racing Marketing/Apparel Director. “Our journey as a business has been one heck of an adventure and we’re proud to remain family owned and operated with genuine ‘American Made’ products. Our partnership with Pro Motocross spans 30 years and we cannot think of a better way to celebrate this milestone year for FMF Racing than to be at the races alongside our fellow motoheads all summer long.”
 
One of the cornerstone elements of FMF’s continued support of the Pro Motocross Championship has been its commitment to shining the spotlight on privateer racers, who serve as the lifeblood of the sport. The “FMF Privateer Power Award” highlights the underdog racer from each round of the season that defied the odds to compete alongside the sport’s most high-profile names and grab the attention of the industry with a memorable performance. That tradition will continue for the 2023 season, bringing well-deserved recognition to the athletes whose passion and commitment embodies the fabric that FMF Racing was founded on.

Matrix Spring Sale!

I’m offensive on the mentality side right now’ – Sexton

Team Honda HRC racer determined to take 450SX title fight to the end.

Fresh off claiming his fourth 450SX main event victory of the season in Nashville, Chase Sexton has indicated ‘I’m offensive on the mentality side right now’ as he looks ahead to a final push in a bid to reduce the points deficit to red plate-holder Eli Tomac.

Sexton qualified fastest once again at Nissan Stadium and finished second in heat two behind TLD Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing rider Justin Barcia.

In the main event, Sexton swiped the lead from title-rival Tomac and charged to a 14.513s victory ahead of the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider, reducing the deficit he faces to the red plate to 18 points. With Cooper Webb’s heat race incident in Nashville ultimately ruling the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider out of the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross remainder, the premier class title fight is now down to two riders as two rounds remain.

“I don’t want to ride over my head by any means, but if I have an opportunity go out there and have a win in front of me, that’s what I’m going to do,” Sexton explained. “With Eli, with the way the track, with how sketchy it was, I knew he wasn’t going to push, to where if I pushed him he wasn’t going to fight back. I started just clicking off my laps and I had a good flow.

“I didn’t feel sketchy at all, I was able to push and be comfortable with a gnarly track. I think for me, I’m offensive on the mentality side right now. “That’s the position I am in, where he has 18 points to play with, I kind of have to go out there and give it all I have.”

Monster Energy Supercross resumes this Saturday with the penultimate round of the 2023 championship to take place at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver

Anderson Out

Anderson to miss last two supercross races

The injured rider list grows longer in supercross with Kawasaki saying Jason Anderson won’t be racing the last two rounds of the year after his crash at Nashville, joining Cooper Webb (concussion) and Justin Barcia (broken collarbone) in a costly loss of talent for the series.

The statement reads: “Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Jason Anderson sustained a neck injury from a crash at Round 15 of the @supercrosslive Championship in Nashville, TN.

“With focus toward his recovery, Anderson will sit out the remaining rounds of the Monster Energy Supercross Championship and will take it week by week to determine his return to racing.”

Barcia Out for Final Two Rounds

Justin Barcia & Pierce Brown Sidelined for Final 2 SX Rounds

 

The hits keep coming for the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GasGas Factory Racing team. Pierce Brown suffered a crash at the season opener and missed the first-round main event, although he would rebound with a fifth at the second-round San Diego Supercross. But it was the first of many eventual hits for the Pierer Mobility Group (KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas).

Then Michael Mosiman had a crash at the Daytona Supercross that ended his night early, although the injury was not expected to be serious. However, Mosiman had yet to return to the starting gate since and finally provided an update on April 15, stating on Instagram that he would be out for the remainder of supercross as he shifts his focus to the AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Pro Motocross kicks off its season May 28 at the Fox Raceway National. Mosiman post on April 15 stated:

“LIFE UPDATE:
I am getting healthy and strong and will be focusing my efforts on making a splash in the coming motocross season. I will not be racing anymore SX races this season.
Fun Fact: Brain information travels up to an impressive 268 miles per hour.”

The team still had Justin Barcia in the 450SX Class and Brown in the 250SX West Region. Barcia found a mid-season spark and started a seven-race streak of finishing inside the top five, which was capped off with a win at the weather-delayed then muddy East Rutherford Supercross. Barcia was running in a podium position over the weekend at the Nashville Supercross before he went down hard on the dragon’s back and did not finish the race. Our man on the ground Aaron Hansel talked to Director of Racing at KTM North America Roger De Coster, who said Barcia suffered a broken collarbone. Barcia’s supercross season came to a screeching halt, but the #51 had a strong year until the injury. Strong enough that the now 31-year-old re-signed with the team for two more years (2024 & 2025). Barcia’s crash and DNF allowed Ken Roczen to claim third place on the main event podium and take over fourth in the championship standings as well.

Now, yet another injury has been announced. Brown took to Instagram early Wednesday morning to announce he suffered a broken hand on Friday while practicing for Pro Motocross. The Utah native said he underwent surgery on his hand, and also underwent surgery to fix a torn meniscus (in his knee) he has been dealing with as well.

“Tough news to break but unfortunately I broke my hand last Friday while prepping for outdoors and had to get it fixed up in surgery today. I’ve also been dealing with a torn meniscus for the last month or so and I went ahead and got that fixed up today too thanks to Dr. Greenbaum. We’re on the mend and imma be doing everything possible to get back ASAP. Bummed to let my team and supporters down as it’s been a tough ‘23 season. I’ll keep you guys updated on everything but I’m stoked to get healthy and come out swinging for outdoors. Thanks team❤️”

Through the first seven rounds of the 250SX West Region Championship, Brown has six main event starts with a season-best fourth at the Glendale Supercross Triple Crown. He sits eighth in the standings as the championship enters its final two rounds.

So now with Barcia and Brown sidelined as well, the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GasGas team does not have any riders set to race these last two supercross rounds in Colorado and Utah. As mentioned, the Pierer Mobility Group already has a handful of injuries. For KTM, Aaron Plessinger had a crash that kept him out for the East Rutherford and Nashville SX rounds and Cooper Webb’s season came to an end in Tennessee after a heat race crash and concussion. And this is on top of Marvin Musquin, who has yet to race for KTM this season as he is recovering from a preseason wrist injury. Max Vohland in the 250SX West Region and Tom Vialle in the 250SX East Region remains the fully healthy riders on the roster.

As for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna, they are currently with only one of their four riders healthy: RJ Hampshire in the 250SX West Region. Jalek Swoll will miss the entire supercross season with a broken arm, Malcolm Stewart suffered a knee injury and underwent surgery, ending his season; and Christian Craig suffered an elbow and hip injury at the Glendale Supercross. Racer X is hearing the factory Husqvarna squad will more than likely not sign any 450 fill-ins for Pro Motocross. No GasGas fill ins have been announced at this time.

Is It OK to Exercise If You're Sore?

By Kisar Dhillon Updated On April 24, 2023

 

If you exercise regularly, you're no stranger to discomfort. It might be the burn you feel as lactic acid builds up in your muscle or the soreness that follows in the days after.

Delayed onset muscle soreness, or DOMS, is common, particularly for those who are new to working out or are returning to the gym after a long absence. The pain and discomfort level can become so high that it can discourage you from exercising.

Even though it hurts, you shouldn't skip a gym session.

DOMS arises from difficult workouts that cause micro-tears in the muscle. It's the tears that cause the feeling of soreness. Don't be alarmed; while it sounds like intentionally tearing your muscles would be a bad thing, these micro-tears cause the muscle to grow and become stronger.  Taking a muscle recovery supplement such as protein or BCAAs immediately post workout may help support muscle-repair.  Here are our top recommendations:

These tears do need time to heal. Because your muscles need time to recuperate and grow, prevailing wisdom states that you should give sore muscles 1 to 2 days of rest before exercising them hard again. So, if your chest and triceps are really sore from an exercise routine, you need to take some time off and let them rest before doing another chest and triceps workout.

That doesn't mean you can't exercise. Many workout programs are designed with this mind, and give muscles ample time to recover before working them out again. Classic weightlifting programs such as the push/pull workouts, or the legs/chest/back workouts, allow for 1 to 2 days between sessions for muscle recovery.

The upshot? You can work out if you're sore. Don't exercise the same muscle groups that are hurting. Do legs one day and exercise your upper body the next. By doing so, you'll still be able to get exercise and allow your lower body to recover and rebuild.

If you aren't following a pre-planned routine, just make sure that you're giving your muscles ample time to recover. For example, don't do a bunch of squats one day and a tough lunge workout the next. Break those workouts up by another day or so and you'll see improved results.

Remember, you get the results you want when you allow your body to rest. When your body is taking a nap, hanging with your friends or lounging, your body is rebuilding. If you keep doing chest exercises every day, you're going to create imbalances, and possibly injure yourself. 

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Webb Finished for SX Series