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Monster Energy Supercross

JT’s Insight: Future Plans

2020: Stranger than fiction?

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I think we can all agree that 2020 was the strangest year on record. Take everything we thought we knew about the parameters of racing in every aspect and throw them out the window. Going into last season, I had preconceived notions about what a racing calendar could and couldn’t look like. I couldn’t have imagined going racing at several rounds without fans. I couldn’t have imagined racing on weekdays, having two Lucas Oil Pro Motocross rounds over the course of a long weekend or adding Loretta Lynn’s Tennessee venue into the series. It was truly bizarro world on so many levels.

As difficult as many of these changes were to make, it could signal a new era of racing. Any idea that would have been immediately discarded as too outlandish could now have a chance at implementation. A new sense of open mindedness has been ushered in. COVID-19 restrictions forced more out-of-the-box thinking than at any other time in our sport’s history. I wanted to cover a few long-term changes that I could see resulting from the most challenging year in recent memory.

– With the positive feedback from riders and the cost savings for Feld, I could see the multiple-round-per-city format for Monster Energy Supercross being a permanent fixture. We have seen this attempted as recently as Atlanta in 2015 but I think it’s now here to stay.

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Race Kawasaki

– Loretta Lynn’s is the preeminent amateur event in American amateur motocross. It is surprising that it took over 30 years to implement into Lucas Oil Pro Motocross but COVID-19 has knocked down almost every wall around far-fetched ideas. With MX Sports being the steward for both the Loretta Lynn’s amateur event as well as Lucas Oil Pro Motocross, I look for this Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, event to become a mainstay of the pro calendar.

– The 2021 Monster Energy Supercross schedule has a much broader range of cities and venues. California is notably absent. Atlanta’s events are being held at a motor speedway, a variable not seen since Charlotte 1998 (outside of Daytona’s yearly stop). Feld could now be more comfortable moving outside of the perceived box these events have been in. More cities could be on the radar than ever before.

– Fan experiences have changed and will continue to evolve. For 2021, it sounds as if all variations of autograph signings, meet-and-greets, and in-person interaction with riders is off the table. Fans will be able to visually see teams and riders but it will be from a distance. Long term, I think the risk factor for viral transmission may outweigh the upside of fan interaction. The factory teams will have a very difficult time convincing their legal and HR departments that it’s a good idea for their multi-million dollar investment to come into close contact with a thousand fans. With so many fans and children looking forward to meeting their heroes, this possibility is a real letdown.

– Triple Crowns may come to an end. With the additional budget strains that COVID-19 caused the racing world, I could see Feld doing away with the Triple Crowns to ease costs. The Triple Crown events typically require teams to employ a second race bike (using bike one for mains one and three, bike two for main two, and teams servicing bike one in the downtime). That extra cost of building another race bike is less feasible now than ever before. This is a relatively easy way to reduce strain on teams that are simply trying to survive post COVID-19.

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KTM Images

– Motocross of Nations could become more convenient for Team USA. With the schedule being pushed back a few weeks, the end of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross series could align much more nicely with the MXGP calendar. A sticking point for many riders has been the MXoN being over a month after the end of the American calendar. That extra month threw a wrench into off-season plans and was simply not worth the implied deficit that riders could face the following season. This tightening of the timelines could possibly offset that pushback from American riders who have otherwise written off the world’s greatest motocross event.

– Above all else, I hope that the forced changes that COVID-19 brought can lead to a better future. I would have considered many of these changes unlikely but this year knocked down seemingly unbreakable walls. The open thinking that COVID-19 caused should be embraced long term. If an idea sounds brash but could improve the sport overall, why shouldn’t we consider it? This season brought out the best in our sport. The resiliency and perseverance that SX/MX showed globally can lead us into a brighter future if we continue to break down perceived limitations. Long term, this could be just the push we needed to take the next step as a sport.

Words: Jason Thomas | Lead Image: Yamaha Racing

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Monster Energy Supercross

Michael Mosiman joins Star Racing

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Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing is happy to announce that Michael Mosiman has signed a multi-year deal that will see him join their talented 250-team line-up. The Californian will race the remaining rounds of the 2024 SuperMotocross World Championship Series, starting with the Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX West Championship and then a full season of the Pro Motocross 250MX Championship to campaign for top honours during the three-round SuperMotocross World Finals.


Words: Press Release | Lead Image: Star Racing


Mosiman has shown strength and the pace to run up front. He took home his first 250SX win at San Diego Supercross in 2022 and finished third in the Western Regional 250 class that season. Unfortunately, injuries sidelined him from a full season last year. Back to full fitness, a re-energised Mosiman is eager to get back on track with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team and make his debut aboard the YZ250F at Round 6 of the 250SX West Championship at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, on March 23.

Jensen Hendler – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 250 Team Manager

“We’re excited to have Michael join the team. We’ve only been working with him for a little bit, but we feel he has the speed and can battle up front. It’s not easy to jump into a season that’s already been rolling, but we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do and are looking forward to Seattle.”

Michael Mosiman – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #76

“I am honoured to be a part of such a successful team and to be surrounded by so many driven individuals. In my short time of getting to know the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team, I have been impressed with the dedication, commitment, and passion they have for the sport and for winning. I am thrilled to be part of the organisation and am looking forward to getting back to racing. Being off the bike and away from racing for a bit has allowed me to truly reset and return stronger both physically and mentally. I think the partnership with Star Yamaha could not have come at a better time in my career.”

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Monster Energy Supercross

The MX Vice Show Episode #162 with Jeff Crutcher (Founder/Team Principal CREO KTM)

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The MX Vice Show returns with special guest Jeff Crutcher, as he speaks to MX Vice Editor Ed Stratmann about the season so far, his incredible career in the sport, the challenges associated with running a team, how happy he is with the progress of Talviku, Gibbs & Kaub in Supercross and Arenacross, the state of play in the sport, what his goals are for the campaign and much more.

The MX Vice Show is as always available to listen to on Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher and Google Play. Thanks to Parts Europe, Scott, Fly Racing, AS3 Performance, ARMA nutrition, Holeshot Motorhomes and Even Strokes for their support of The MX Vice Show. If you would like to become a part of the show, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Lead Image: Supplied

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Monster Energy Supercross

AMA Penalty Report from Birmingham featuring Haiden Deegan and Adam Cianciarulo

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Check out the AMA Penalty Report from Birmingham featuring Haiden Deegan and Adam Cianciarulo.

Lead Image: Star Racing

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