Connect with us
       

Pro Motocross

Insight: Aaron Plessinger

Aaron Plessinger talks Pala.

Published

on

Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Aaron Plessinger has been a revelation thus far this year. Following two extremely difficult seasons in the premier class, he has found his feet and started to become a consistent threat for podiums both indoors and out. The fact that he started the 2021 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross series with a 4-2 scorecard, which left him in second overall, is proof of that. One would think that a maiden 450MX podium is not too far away at this point.

The fact that he landed on the overall podium was particularly poignant for Yamaha, who won the class with Dylan Ferrandis. Having a YZ450F on two of three steps is something that they have not managed in quite some time – the drought lasted a total of 4327 days! The last time that it happened was at Washougal in 2009. Josh Grant and Jason Lawrence sat in second and third overall on that day. Who would have thought?

MX Vice: You have not had the amount of track time since moving into the 450MX class. You finished off your 250F career with a championship, but it has kind of been rough sledding since you moved up. Now, this season, it just seems like you are back to the old AP. The momentum is carrying over right from supercross and you had another great day. Assess your day for us. How does it feel to be on the podium? You are now a part of that deep field that we are always talking about.

Aaron Plessinger: Yeah, it feels great man. After the last two years, not really getting what I came for, to be battling up front for the lead and overall wins just feels good. It was a great day – it started off a little shaky in practice and then I pulled it together. I qualified ninth, then in the first moto I got like a mid-pack start. I think I was like twelfth and then, yeah, I went back and forth with Chase [Sexton] once or twice. I kind of did the same thing that he did – I just rode around a little bit and started picking off guys later on in the race.

Enlarge

Site-Aaron-Plessinger-2

Align Media

I ended up in fourth in moto one and then grabbed the holeshot in moto two. Kenny, man… He was on a roll. I wanted to stay with him – I knew I could pace off of him. We were on a mission, for sure, and I kind of caught him a little bit late in that second moto. I made my run at him and then had a sketchy moment before the finish line. I kind of backed it down and just rode it in for second. I missed the last two years of outdoors, so I do not want to do that again. Yeah, it was a great day. Good to be back on the box. It is good.

Coming towards the end of supercross, and coming into motocross, things just looked that much better for you on the motorcycle. You looked happy. Aaron Plessinger was the guy that he used to be in the 250F class. What was the difference? Was it just that going back to Star [Racing Yamaha] was comfortable for you and like going back home?

Yeah, I think going back to Star definitely played a big part in this whole thing. They have turned the bike around – it works so good now. It is almost like riding my 250F again. It is unreal what they have done to this bike! Confidence comes with it too. Coming back this team, I knew I was going to be around guys who I know. They knew my lingo, knew what to do and how I like the bike. I think that plays hand-in-hand and just clicking off round-by-round while getting confidence in the bike and me. My fitness was getting better. Everything was just adding up! I think it is all starting to fall into place. Our starts are getting good and I think there is going to be a lot of blue up there this year.

Enlarge

Site-Aaron-Plessinger

Align Media

You obviously had such a good season in supercross. You have said on a number of occasions now that the bike is a lot better, but were you automatically confident that it would transfer outdoors? Is proving it to yourself on a day like today also important?

Proving it is a little more important. I knew coming into outdoors that I was going to be up there; if not on the podium then top five or top ten. Somewhere around the top spots! I just felt really, really good the last four weeks when getting ready for outdoors. The first time I hopped on my outdoor bike, I felt really good. We did not really have to change much until we started testing a little bit closer to the national. I think my confidence for outdoors just came with doing my motos and clicking off good day after good day – just feeling as prepared as I was in 2018. I had a lot of motos under my belt back then and I have a lot of motos under my belt now.

You know, it almost surprised me in the second moto. Keeping up with Ken [Roczen] like that was gnarly. We put a pretty big gap on third place. I got really sketchy at one moment and looked back but did not really see anybody. I thought somebody would be right there! We were riding so good. I was just feeding off of him and doing some of the lines that he was doing. I had some lines of my own that were pretty good, but we were riding so good. I am stoked on it. I like outdoors more than I like supercross too – I do not know why. I have just always been like that. It is just a good start to the season, and I think it is going to be a fun year.

Interview: Press Conference | Lead Image: Align Media

Continue Reading

British MX Nationals

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Fox Feature

FOX Unveils Exciting New MX24 Mainline Refresh Graphics

Check it out.

Published

on

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


Continue Reading

Monster Energy Supercross

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

See now.

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Latest