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Pro Motocross

Viewpoint: Dylan Ferrandis

Ferrandis talks historic victory.

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Dylan Ferrandis enjoyed an extremely successful 250F career and even secured a podium finish in his rookie 450SX season in 2021 Monster Energy Supercross. Pundits still overlooked the Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha rider heading into 2021 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross – a discipline that comes much more naturally to him – though. Ferrandis rocketed to an impressive win in moto one and was arguably more impressive in moto two, as he climbed from eighth on lap one to third at the chequered flag.

Now, armed with newfound confidence and a red plate, Ferrandis is a contender for the premier-class title. Does that change his outlook at all heading into the remaining eleven rounds? That question was pitched to him in the post-race press conference, as well as some additional talking points. Most noteworthy is the fact that he blames bike set-up for the lack of success, by his standards, in supercross. It seems as though he chased that sweet spot through the first four months of the year and finally found it when it came time to switch to the outdoors.

You are the first guy since Ryan Villopoto to win in his 450MX debut and you looked like the same Dylan who was on a 250F last year. Did you expect this out of yourself at round one? How are you feeling moving forward?

I did not really expect that. I never thought that I would leave the track with the red plate and leading the championship when I woke up this morning. It was kind of a surprise, but at the same time after the supercross we put in the work. We spent a lot of time working on the bike and off of it. Yeah, I just gave everything I had today. It worked out well for me. Winning round one as a rookie, like you said, is amazing. It was such a great feeling. I do not know – I just felt good today and gave everything. A good start in moto one helped a lot, but I had a bad start in moto two and had to come back through the field. I passed some really strong riders all day, so I was really proud of that. Now, for sure, leading in the championship is a different position. Next week I will have the red plate, so it is going to be a something to manage. I was in that position last year – I will give it everything and we will see what happens.

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That was really a fantastic ride. Now that you have the red plate, does it change your game plan at all going into round two? Do you just keep going with what you had heading into round one?

No, it is always the same. Round two I will try my best and see what we have got after the weekend. This 450MX field is so gnarly with so many past champions in the top five, ten or twelve. Even the top twelve! Anything can happen. It is going to be normal for many riders to have a bad day and then be off of the podium sometimes. We will see – I am going to try the best that I can, yeah, and try to hold onto the red plate for sure.

What was the reaction like from the Star Racing team when you got back? It was obviously a big result for those guys and everybody in your corner as well.

I think that it was big relief for all of the Yamaha people. They have been looking for that win for a long time now and giving them that at round one was really important. I think everybody just had this relief of, “Okay. Now we got one win and we are back on the top spot.” I think that was the reaction for everybody and maybe also some… They were also happy to have put so much work in for everybody on the team and me. I am quite hard on the people in my team to have the best bike, always do more, always test more and put a lot of hours in on the track. I think I have been pretty hard on them the last four weeks and maybe over the last five seasons also. Yeah, I think that it was big relief that they could see that all of the hard work and hours we spent testing have finally paid off.

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You had the podium in supercross at the beginning and then you did not get back on the podium the rest of the year. What are you going to do this time, in Pro Motocross, to make sure that you get back on the podium and continue to fight throughout the rest of the season?

I think my podium in supercross was just… I was in the right spot at the right moment. The track on that day was so different than normal and I just figured out how to ride that track at Houston 2. I made that podium and then after that I just felt like my bike set-up was the biggest problem. That is why we worked all supercross season to make the bike better. Now, in motocross, I feel like we had more time to get ready and more time with the bikes. We proved it today by having two Yamaha bikes on the podium. I just think Houston was some circumstances and was maybe a little bit of luck. It was just a good day for me and after that I could not find my way onto the podium. I feel like today was different – I was on the podium in two motos instead of just one race in supercross. I already proved it twice. I am just going to try every weekend and if it does not happen… I mean, I also understand. The field is so wild. Nobody can be on the box every weekend this season.

Did you know that Chase [Sexton] was that close to you at the finish of the first moto, when you guys came down to the last section together?

No, not really. I was trying to manage the gap. I knew we had between three and four seconds. I made some mistakes with lappers on the last lap and lost some time. When I was on the last straightaway before the finish, I saw that he was there and was surprised a little bit. In the last lap I really missed too much time with the lappers, like I said, with mistakes and bad lines. It was kind of my fault a little bit. I was really surprised and did not want to lose that moto. I mean, I was still a little bit disappointed to finish with him so close to me. If I did not win then I would have been so mad, for sure.

Interview: Press Conference | Lead Image: Align Media

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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.

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Monster Energy Supercross

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

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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.

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