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Pro Motocross

Viewpoint: 450MX Podium

The top three reflect.

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An influx of talking points emerged at the seventh Lucas Oil Pro Motocross round, Southwick, and the three 450MX podium finishers were at the centre of some of those. Eli Tomac has rebounded and now has control over the premier division again, Blake Baggett is battling a difficult thumb injury and Dean Wilson climbed onto the 450MX podium for the first time in his career. All of that was covered in the post-race press conference.

Question for Eli Tomac: Eli, what is it about this track that just seem to gel with?

Eli Tomac: “I guess it is just the sand. We only have one really good sand track a year and that is here at Southwick. You either love it or you hate it, so it is a track that I really enjoy riding. I don’t know what it is about the sand. It is like I’ve said before: You are either good in it or you are not. All around it was a good weekend.”

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Monster Energy/Ryne Swanberg

Question for Blake Baggett: With the thumb injury that occurred last weekend, how did that effect you today and what did you have to do to minimise the damage on it?

Blake Baggett: “I think it was the best day that we could have had. Coming in not one hundred percent, I’m not a fan of this place by any means. We just salvaged it out. I rode the best that I could and had a solid weekend, so I’m happy with what I was able to come away with.”

Question for Dean Wilson: Your first 450MX podium and an awesome ride today. How awesome does it feel to be up here, which is kind of where you feel that you belong?

Dean Wilson: “Yeah, it feels really good. It is pretty crazy to think that this is my first career podium. It has been six years since I have been at a press conference, so it is a great feeling. It is not really a track or race that I really like. I kind of mentally prepared myself coming in thinking that it was going to be a tough one for me. I think that maybe it helped me, as I had to tough it out on a very physically-demanding track. We ended up here, so it was a great weekend and I am just very happy.”

Question for Eli Tomac (kindly answered by Dean Wilson): What has gelled for you over the last couple of weeks? Was it mistakes before or changes to the bike? What is happening?

Dean Wilson: “I felt like I was riding pretty well at the beginning of the season. I don’t know; I just struggled and at quite a few races my starts were not very good. This weekend I feel like my starts were actually pretty decent. I have just been consistent with my training and kept sticking to the script. It is nice to see that it is finally paying off, as I feel like my fitness was very good. My bike was handling really well too – it is just a combination of things.

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Dean Wilson finally broke through and stood on the podium.

Husqvarna/Simon Cudby

“I know that Eli is on a different level, so I really do not try to compete too hard when he is behind me. I just kind of let him have it and see if I can learn anything off of him, as I am just not at that pace yet. It is just a building process for me.”

Question for Eli Tomac: Millville is another strong track for you. Is this weekend off something that you are looking forward to or would you just rather stay in the swing of things at this point?

Eli Tomac: “I think that, at this point, we are in a good spot. We are in a good spot in the points and are not searching for anything on the motorcycle, so I am content. I don’t really mind the weekend off. Everyone will rest up a little bit and come back fresh. I think we have more good tracks coming at us.”

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Eli Tomac sits on a lead of nineteen points over Blake Baggett.

Monster Energy/Ryne Swanberg

Question for Blake Baggett: I know you are really thankful for the weekend off that is coming up. What are your plans to try and get your thumb better during that weekend?

Blake Baggett: “I am excited for the weekend off, for sure, but Monday I have an MRI. With everything that we have done so far, it seems that the ligament is torn on the thumb. Worst-case scenario would be to go in and get it fixed, then hopefully two weeks would be enough to come out swinging. I would like to get up there, put on good races and battle with Eli. Today that was just not going to happen. He was on another level and I just didn’t feel that great.”

Question for Dean Wilson: You won the 250MX championship back in 2011. Since then there have obviously been a lot of injuries and everything like that, but what is it about this team in general that has made you excel in the past six months?

Dean Wilson: “I really have to give a big thank you to the whole team. My mechanic, Mo Head, puts in a lot of time to get my bike dialled and Bobby Hewitt for just giving me the opportunity. He [Bobby Hewitt] helped me when I had nothing and was just pitting out of the back of the van. I saw a side of the sport that you don’t really want to be in. From there on I have just been on the team. We just gelled really well and they let me be me, work hard and have fun. I have to have a good balance. I’m just having a lot of fun with my training and riding.

“There was a time where I did not know if I was going to continue this, as it was a really big struggle for a few years. You would work hard and then get knocked down, then work hard and get knocked back down again. Not getting picked up by any teams at the start of the season was tough, but the team giving me this opportunity has brought me back on my feet. I’m in a really good place in my life right now and I’m really happy.”

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Dean Wilson hasn't dropped out of the top ten through seven rounds.

Husqvarna/Simon Cudby

Question for Eli Tomac: They trucked in a lot of sand this year to make the track more strenuous for the riders. Did you feel that it was different this year?

Eli Tomac: “It was not a whole lot different. I don’t know when they brought it in, but it still had that base and was ‘the normal’ – that is what I would call it. No, it was not a whole lot different.”

Question for Blake Baggett: With that thumb, did you ride at all during the week or was press day your first day on the bike?

Blake Baggett: “At press day I did a few laps to test it out and basically see how we were going to tape it to try and make a fake brace. It is hard, because you have got to have the moto glove and feeling. We just had a few test runs on how we were going to tape it and that was it.”

Interview: Press Conference | Lead Image: Husqvarna/Simon Cudby

British MX Nationals

Thank you. It’s been a hell of a ride.

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Since buying back MX Vice in November 2019, it has been challenging. One of those crystal balls would have been handy for navigating some problematic situations. Who would have thought COVID-19 would be a thing?

Those who follow MX Vice know we started from nothing but an idea. A fan who loved the sport created a Facebook page, website, and social media presence that would become disruptive. It has made numerous talented media people who were allowed to run with it for over thirteen years. Being in the UK/Europe has always been difficult; I’ve always believed that if we were a US media company, we would have been embraced and appreciated for our work ethic and the content we produce. We always cast one eye over the US in Europe, and you can’t blame the top European riders for doing the same.

MX Vice has always tried to give people a voice, especially the riders who are not in the limelight and the teams that put so much into the sport. We love people’s passion and sacrifice to improve and challenge themselves. That, for me, was the natural pull, not the money but the passion and sacrifice. We all know we would not be in motocross if it were about the money. I always considered MX Vice the media version of Steve Dixon’s team in MXGP (which I have a huge amount of respect for), where we have always tried to challenge without the factory budgets.

We knew it would be tough this year with so many businesses and brands cutting marketing budgets and reducing costs; this was never going to be good for us. We have just had two incredible months of stats, with January and February bringing in over 1 million people to the website, which is quite bittersweet. As much as the funds are low, so is my energy and health. COVID impacted me more than I could ever envisaged. My health has deteriorated ever since I caught COVID; my immune system is not in a great place, and when I try and work to the standard I set myself, my body breaks on me, and it takes me days to recover. Ed Stratmann has been a revelation since he took the editorial reigns and has pushed MX Vice to new heights, which is incredible given the lack of resources he has had to work with and support from myself. I have been missing from the podcast show to reduce my time, as I am now self-employed and working for two companies to pay the bills.

Every journey ends, and that’s not what we want. Over the past 13 years, we have given it everything, leaving no stone unturned. We’re proud of how we have disrupted, challenged decisions, held organisations accountable, and illuminated incredible stories.

We will have an auction for signed shirts donated by riders, podcast equipment, and memorabilia to pay off the invoices of some contributors. If, however, you want to see MX Vice continue, you can donate here: https://ko-fi.com/mxvice or purchase a shirt or memorabilia. If we meet our target of £25,000, which is currently outstanding to run this year, then Ed and I will continue. However, we fully expect this won’t happen due to the large sum required.

It’s hard out there at the moment. Take care of your health and family, and never lose your passion for the most fantastic sport in the world.

Burf.

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Fox Feature

FOX Unveils Exciting New MX24 Mainline Refresh Graphics

Check it out.

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All eyes on you. Keep the conversation going with all-new MX24 graphics that looks to the future of racewear. 360 Volatile, 180 Interfere, this is racewear designed to elevate and amplify the next generation and those changing the sport, forever.

Visit the Fox Europe Website for more information.

MEDIA


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Monster Energy Supercross

Trio of Speedways Set to Host Second Year of SuperMotocross World Championship Playoffs

See now.

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During tonight’s television broadcast of the DAYTONA Supercross, Round 8 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and SuperMotocross World Championship, lead analysts Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart revealed that zMAX Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, and The Strip at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway will host the 2024 SuperMotocross World Championship Playoff Rounds and Final in September.


Words: Press Release | Lead Image: SMX


Last year’s landmark inaugural season saw two of the sport’s youngest and brightest stars cement their place in the history books. At just 17, Haiden Deegan earned Rookie of the Year and captured the 250cc World Championship while Australian sensation Jett Lawrence, at 20, became the first-ever 450cc World Champion in the premier class, also as a rookie.

Showing the world this was no fluke, both Deegan and Lawrence are off to impressive starts in their 2024 campaigns. Deegan just earned his first win of the season (and his career) this past weekend at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and sits a mere seven points back in the Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship after two rounds. Lawrence, on the other hand is the current points leader in the very deep 450SX premier class and has two wins already in a year that has witnessed five different race winners in the first seven rounds.

SuperMotocross World Championship Playoff 1 will take place on Saturday, September 7 at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C. and Playoff 2 will take place on Saturday, September 14 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. The SMX World Championship Final will take place on Saturday, September 21 at The Strip at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, marking a long-anticipated return to a city that has hosted many memorable final Championship rounds in Supercross’ rich history.

“Last year, we created a completely new off-road motorcycle racing playoff series that combined both disciplines of indoor stadium racing (Supercross) and outdoor motocross racing (Pro Motocross) that was fully embraced by the teams, athletes, industry and fans,” said Dave Prater, Vice President of Supercross, Feld Motor Sports, Inc. “Collectively, more than 110,000 fans from all over the world made their way here to attend the inaugural three round SMX World Championship Playoffs and Final and for the first time in the sport’s history witnessed the crowning of a true World Champion. The SuperMotocross World Championship is where the world comes to race.”

zMAX Dragway is situated adjacent to Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. and its world famous four-lane dragstrip and dual grandstands provided the perfect backdrop to host last year’s first-ever SMX World Championship Playoff. The Charlotte area is a hotbed for fans of the sport and is an easy city to get to from most points in the Eastern region. Last year’s playoff became the “must see” event of the year and is a primary reason for our return. zMAX Dragway proved to be a world-class facility in every way where the SMX experience was fully brought to life with a full day of fan activities on Friday, an industry packed FanFest on Saturday and a multitude of prime camping options for every budget. The “Bellagio of Dragstrips” also provided the perfect amount of width and depth to create a truly unique, world-class SMX track that surprised the teams and caught many of the sport’s star athletes off guard which led to dramatic racing and unpredictable results.

“Last year, we transformed a four-lane drag strip into the ultimate off-road playground and fans were treated to a full day of action-packed racing at the opening round of the inaugural SMX World Championships,” said Greg Walter, executive vice president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. “Building on that experience, we’re excited to once again partner with Feld Motor Sports to bring together the top Supercross and Motocross riders from around the world at zMAX Dragway to put on a high-flying, white-knuckled show for the fans.”

Texas Motor Speedway, located in Fort Worth is easily accessible for fans traveling by car or plane with its central location and proximity to multiple international airports. The 1.5-mile quad-oval superspeedway sits on over 1400 acres of land and is one of the largest sports facilities in the country. Being a world-class venue, Texas Motor Speedway is no stranger to marquee events as they are a regular stop on the NASCAR Cup Series and provide all the modern amenities motorsports fans expect when purchasing an event ticket. Last week’s Supercross round (7) in Arlington, Texas broke attendance records and this Playoff round could prove to be an even bigger spectacle with a planned Friday FanFest, and fan camping options being made available.

“All of us at Texas Motor Speedway are thrilled to have been chosen to host Round 2 of the 2024 SuperMotocross World Championship Playoffs and we look forward to welcoming an entirely new and energetic group of race fans, from across the country and around the world, to our world-class facility,” said Texas Motor Speedway Executive Vice President & General Manager Mark Faber. “Supercross and motocross fans in the Fort Worth/Dallas metroplex have proven for years how much they love their sport so we look forward to proving to them how much we appreciate them coming to Texas Motor Speedway.”

Aptly named, The Strip at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is conveniently located just twenty minutes away from the world-famous Las Vegas strip and was a major deciding factor in bringing the SMX World Championship Final to Las Vegas.

“The Strip” is one of the most iconic dragstrips in the country and joins zMAX Dragway as being one of just two dragstrips in the nation to feature four-wide racing. This expansive footprint will allow our master track builders to get very imaginative in creating the final SMX World Championship track of the season. Situated right across the street from the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the Strip is home to more than 50 events a year and provides an intimate viewing experience from the grandstands and suites while also offering fans the ability to “line the fence”, similar to what is done at a Pro Motocross event.

“The pinnacle of two-wheel racing is making its return to Las Vegas, and we’re thrilled to crown the ultimate champion at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, surrounded by the passionate fans of Supercross and Motocross,” said Chris Powell, Las Vegas Motor Speedway President. “In recent years, Las Vegas has emerged as the ultimate sports hub, making it fitting to include the SuperMotocross World Championship Final on the list of prestigious events hosted here.”

The SuperMotocross World Championship Playoffs and Final will feature the best athletes in the world as the top 20 in combined Supercross and Pro Motocross points are automatically seeded into the playoff rounds. As in other sport playoffs, athletes will be competing for the sport’s ultimate World Championship title, and the prestige that comes from overcoming adversity through a 28-round, dual-discipline (indoor and outdoor) season, plus two SMX Playoffs and a Final.

The SMX World Championship is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series in the world and as such pays out more total prize money than any off-road motorcycle racing series on the planet.

All 17 rounds of the 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and 11 rounds of the Pro Motocross Championship are on sale. Tickets for the SuperMotocross World Championship Playoff Rounds and Final will go on pre-sale, Tuesday, April 2, followed by public on-sale Tuesday, April 9. Friday FanFest, Saturday FanFest and camping options for each round and venue will be announced later in the season.

Love what we do? Please read this article as we try to raise £30,000.

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