Pro Motocross
The MX Vice SMX Review Show Episode #22 – Lars Lindstrom
HRC Boss talks about their amazing 2023 season

In 2023, MX Vice is running a regular SMX Review show, where we talk all things AMA, frequently with a star guest or pundit. This time Ben & Brad are joined by Honda HRC USA Team Manager Lars Lindstrom, talking about the red team’s amazing 2023 season, his time as Chad Reed’s mechanic, and his riders’ plans for the Motocross of Nations!
Images: HRC Honda

Lars (crouching with his arm on the front fender) has enjoyed a great year with his team in 2023
Massive thanks to Lars for joining us and we wish you and your team all the best for the rest of the year!
This podcast was recorded prior to the Washougal National, so apologies for the delay and for the few sound issues. None of these were caused by Lars or his systems. Enjoy the podcast!

As we look towards the 2024 season, MX Vice and Paul Pearcy have joined forces again to deliver some quality statistics, as we’ll be running through the top 10 in each championship across 2023 (MXGP, MX2, 450, 250 – AMA Supercross, SMX and Outdoors). Here all the riders that secured 4th in their respective title races.
MX 2
4) Liam Everts
- Qualifying Race Podiums: 7; Liam only missed scoring points in the qualifying race at 1 round, Maggiora.
- Race Podiums: 14
- Race Wins: 1; Race 2 at Teutschenthal
- Race Laps Led: 39
- GP Podiums: 8
- GP Wins: 3; Teutschenthal, Arnhem, and Afyonkarahisar
Averages
- Timed Practice: 8.421
- Qualifying Race Finish: 5.105; (3rd best in class)
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 7.157
- Qualifying Points: 118; (3rd best in class)
- Race Finishes: 6.157 in Race 1, 5.111 in Race 2
- GP Overalls: 5.526
- Race First Lap Position: 6.894
- Race Points: 308 from Race 1, 308 from Race 2(3rd best in class in Race 2 points earned)
Series Points: 734
MXGP
4) Glenn Coldenhoff
- Qualifying Race Podiums: 4
- Qualifying Race Wins: 1; Lommel
- Qualifying Race Laps Led: 6
- Race Podiums: 9
- Race Wins: 1; Race 2 at Sardegna
- Race Laps Led: 48
- GP Podiums: 5
Averages
- Timed Practice: 7.421
- Qualifying Race Finishes: 6.778
- Qualifying Race First Lap Position: 7.944
- Qualifying Race Points: 81
- Race Finishes: 5th in Race 1(2nd best in class); 6.368 in Race 2
- GP Overalls: 5.631
- Race First Lap Position: 6.973
- Race Points: 319 from Race 1, 295 from Race 2
Series Points: 695
250 West Supercross
4) Enzo Lopes
- Heat Race Podiums: 3
- Heat Race Win: 1; Denver
- Heat Race Laps Led: 11
Averages
- Qualifying: 4.778
- Heat Race Finishes: 3.571
- Heat Race First Lap Position: 4th
- Main Event Finishes: 6.444
- Main Event First Lap Position: 9.481
Series Points: 149
250 East Supercross
4) Jordon Smith
- Heat Race Podiums: 6
- Heat Race Wins: 3; Houston, Indy, Nashville
- Heat Race Laps Led: 26; (Tied for 2nd most in class)
- Main Event Podiums: 4
- Main Event Laps Led: 19
Averages
- Qualifying: 2.5
- Heat Race Finishes: 4.111
- Heat Race First Lap Position: 2.778; (2nd best in class)
- LCQ Finish: 7th
- LCQ First Lap Position: 20th
- Main Event Finishes: 6.111
- Main Event First Lap Position: 7.518
Series Points: 159
450 Supercross
4) Ken Roczen
- Heat Race Podiums: 11; (Ken landed on the podium in the Heat Race 78% of the time)
- Heat Race Wins: 4; Oakland, East Rutherford, Denver, and Salt Lake City
- Heat Race Laps Led: 52; (Most Heat Race Laps Led in Class)
- Main Event Podiums: 6
- Main Event Win: 1; Indy
- Main Event Laps Led: 33; (3rd most in class)
Averages
- Qualifying: 4.882
- Heat Race Finishes: 2.428; (2nd best in class)
- Heat Race First Lap Position: 2.5; (2nd best in class)
- Main Event Finishes: 5.705
- Main Event First Lap Position: 5.689
Series Points: 304; (Tied for 3rd with Cooper Webb, Webb got 3rd in the Championship because of having more Main Event Wins on the season)
250 American Outdoors
4) Haiden Deegan
- 1st in Qualifying: 1; High Point
- Moto Podiums: 9
- Moto Wins: 3; Moto 1 at Hangtown, 1-1 at Washougal
- Moto Laps Led: 49
- Overall Podiums: 6; (Haiden landed on the podium 54% of the time)
- Overall Wins: 2; RedBud, Washougal
Averages
- Qualifying: 5.909
- Moto Finishes: 7.454 in Moto 1, 5.454 in Moto 2
- Overall Finishes: 5.545
- Moto First Lap Position: 6.318
Series Points: 371
450 American Outdoors
4) Chase Sexton
- Moto Podiums: 15; (Chase Landed on the Podium in 93% of the Motos he started, He missed 3 rounds throughout the Championship)
- Overall Podiums: 7; (Sexton finished on the overall podium 87% of the time, he competed in 8 rounds of the Championship)
Averages
- Qualifying: 2.25; 2nd best in class
- Moto Finishes: 3rd in Moto 1(2nd best in class) , 2.125 in Moto 2 (2nd best in class)
- Overall Finishes: 2.375; 2nd best in class
- Moto First Lap Position: 4.375; 3rd best in class
Series Points: 338
250 SMX
4) Levi Kitchen
- Moto Podiums: 2
- Moto Wins: 1; Moto 2 in LA
- Moto Laps Led: 29; Most Laps Led in Class
Averages
- Qualifying: 7.667
- Moto Finishes: 6th in Moto 1, 8th in Moto 2
- Overall Finishes: 6.667
- Moto First Lap Position: 6.667
Series Points: 114
450 SMX
4) Cooper Webb
- Moto Podium: 1; Moto 2 at LA
- Overall Podium: 1; LA
Averages
- Qualifying: 7.333
- Moto Finishes: 7th in Moto 1, 5.667 in Moto 2
- Overall Finishes: 6th
- Moto First Lap Position: 7.5
Series Points: 120
Lead Image: HEP Suzuki
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SCOTT athlete Jo Shimoda was named the 2023 “Prince of Paris” at the weekend after claiming the SX2 overall victory in his factory Honda and Paris supercross racing debuts.
Shimoda was riding on top form, and displayed unmatched speed from the first practice sessions. The HRC rider appeared to be already feeling extremely comfortable on the new Honda CRF250, collecting four wins over the two days of racing and never finishing off the podium.
Lead Image: SCOTT
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Industry News
The Triumph TF 250-X can be yours for £9,750

Triumph Motorcycles has officially launched the new TF 250-X, revealing a class-leading power to weight ratio and the most complete specification package ever to launch into the ultra-competitive 250cc motocross market.
Developed entirely by Triumph in close collaboration with racing champions including Ricky Carmichael and Iván Cervantes, the new four stroke competition model is an all-new ground-up design. The performance racing powertrain and unique aluminium chassis are ultra compact and super light, with all the best components on the market, already fitted out of the crate.
With a focused, aggressive style, the TF 250-X is slim, yet bold and will be instantly recognisable on the track, with its minimal and lightweight presence and distinctive Triumph Racing Yellow and black graphics scheme.
A new Triumph network of specialist motocross dealers, will be offering sales, servicing, parts and a new dedicated range of apparel, backed by a mobile-optimised 24/7 online parts supply system, so customers can order for express delivery, straight from the track.
Triumph Motorcycles’ Chief Product Manager, Steve Sargent, said: “The launch of the TF 250-X is the culmination of a significant commitment and investment from Triumph, to not just bring a totally new bike to the motocross world, but to deliver a winning performance. To achieve this, we are focused on delivering the most complete package for any riding level, from champion to amateur.
“This bike is 100% Triumph, conceived, designed, developed and manufactured by our world leading chassis and engine teams, with expert support from our racing champions. We started with a blank sheet of paper and began an all-new ground-up design, including a new engine, new chassis and new electronics.”
Performance Racing Powertrain
Triumph has developed an all-new performance racing powertrain, a competition four stroke single, that is ultra compact and super light. With a forged aluminium piston and titanium valves, the engine also has diamond-like carbon low friction coatings, lightweight magnesium covers and an Exedy Belleville clutch.
Advanced engine management and tunability is complemented by the optional accessory MX Tune Pro app, enabling riders to use real-time user selectable mapping, a real-time engine sensor dashboard and live diagnostic functionality, through a controlled programmable engine management system.
Aluminium Chassis
The unique aluminium chassis has a high strength, lightweight spine frame with twin cradles, designed for the optimum balance of performance, mass and flexibility. The total weight of the bike will see the new TF 250-X set a new benchmark for the best ‘power-to-weight’ ratio in the category. It also delivers a high level of tunability to suit different riders and styles.
Top Tier Specification
The TF 250-X features premium, top tier componentry throughout, adding up to an unrivalled specification for a production bike in this category. KYB suspension tops the list, with 48mm AOS coil forks, forged and machined 7075-T6 aluminium triple clamps and a three-way piggyback coil rear shock.
The premium Brembo braking system features twin 24mm piston floating front caliper, a single 26mm piston floating rear caliper and Galfer 260mm front and 220mm rear discs. DirtStar 7000 Series aluminium rims and machined aluminium hubs are fitted with Pirelli Scorpion MX32 mid-soft tyres. Pro-Taper ACF carbon core bars and ODI half-waffle lock on grips complete the set up.
Competition Accessories
In addition to the high level of specification already included as standard, Triumph has worked with the biggest, premium brands to create a dedicated range of competition accessories to further enhance performance and capability.
These accessories include:
- Akrapovi? full titanium exhaust system
- XTrig hole shot device
- Athena LC-GPA launch control module with rider-selectable enhanced traction control and launch control settings and LED engine speed indicator
- MX Tune Pro wi-fi module
- Performance gripper seat and seat cover
- Bodywork replacement kit
Triumph’s Motocross dealer centres will also be stocking a new clothing range, available side by side to the new TF 250-X. Launched by Triumph in partnership with Alpinestars, the range includes Motocross and Enduro boots and apparel.
Specialist Triumph MX Centres
From Spring 2024, new specialist Triumph Motocross and Enduro centres will be opening in Europe, Australia and USA, with 300 opening by the end of 2024. These are dedicated, fully trained, specialist off-road centres, providing sales, servicing, parts, clothing and race support.
This network is backed up with a unique 24/7 parts and accessories supply system. Available from the Triumph website, this new electronic parts and accessory catalogue is fully optimized for mobile, so riders can search for parts and place orders while out at the track. Riders can select what they need, check availability, and price, and place an order for express delivery, standard. Delivery, or click and collect from their local Triumph motocross dealer.
Within the UK there will be seven regional centres at time of launch. To find your local dealer be sure to visit the find a dealer page on the Motocross and Enduro page on the website.
Racing Pedigree
Triumph’s globally renowned engineering teams bring expertise in precision engineering, innovation and award-winning quality. These teams are behind Triumph’s greatest modern racing achievements, including the Moto2TM championship where Triumph’s engines have helped to transform the class, setting new Moto2 lap and speed records at tracks around the world. From factory World Supersport racing, to the Isle of Man TT, earning multiple Supersport wins, and even a win at Daytona 200, the teams are focused on success.
The team has been supported by some of the biggest names in motocross, including the greatest MX rider of all time, Ricky Carmichael. He has worked with Triumph’s chassis and engine teams across the journey of scoping, prototyping, testing and development.
Ricky Carmichael said: “The TF 250-X is an incredible bike. This is the bike that we set out to build. When you talk about the chassis, the powertrain, the components – it’s the best of everything you could ever want. And whether you’re a professional rider or an amateur rider, you will not be disappointed. I love this bike, it’s been such an honour to part of a project with such an iconic brand.”
Iván Cervantes, five times enduro world champion, five times Spanish MX champion and Dakar finisher has also worked across the project with Triumph’s in-house teams to bring his experience to the Triumph bike development and prototyping.
With a team like this and the TF 250-X on the start line, Triumph is well placed to begin its motocross racing programme in 2024. Entering the prestigious FIM Motocross World Championship for 2024, Triumph Racing will compete with a factory supported programme set-up in partnership with Thierry Chizat-Suzzoni, one of the sport’s most experienced and successful team owners, who will start his campaign with two of Triumph’s all-new 250cc 4-stroke MX bikes in the 2024 MX2 class, supported by new sponsor, Monster Energy.
Underpinning the commitment to win, Team Manager Vincent Bereni, is leading a crew of highly experienced technical staff all focused on bringing Triumph to the pinnacle of racing performance. Thierry and Vincent’s past racing record speaks for itself – with over 80 MXGP World Championship victories.
Clément Desalle, who joined the team as test rider, is a very experienced racer, competing at the highest level in the MXGP World Championship for 15 years. As one of the most consistent racers in the series, he claimed three Vice Champion finishes, was third in the World Championship three times and twice finished fourth. Finishing on the top step of the podium 23 times in his career, he was also crowned the Pro Open Belgian champion.
Triumph Racing’s US SuperMotocross World Championship Team is headed up by the highly talented Bobby Hewitt and team manager Steve ‘Scuba’ Westfall – this duo have proved over and over that they know how to win. They brought in a crack team including Dave Arnold, an industry AMA Hall of Fame legend for chassis development and Dudley Cramond, with over 25 years of experience of building race winning engines. The team will field the all-new TF 250-X’s in the 2024 World Championship.
On the dirt
The TF 250-X will start from £9,795 OTR and orders can be placed now at Triumph’s new motocross dealers, with bikes available for delivery from Spring 2024. Watch the launch film on YouTube. For more information or to find your local dealer visit the Triumph website.
Further information about the launch of a TF 450-X and the hotly anticipated Enduro range from Triumph Motorcycles will follow later in 2024.
Specifications
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION | |
Type | Single Cylinder 4-Stroke DOHC |
Capacity | 249.95 cc |
Bore | 78 mm |
Stroke | 52.3 mm |
Compression | 14.4 |
System | Dell’Orto EFI |
Exhaust | Single Silencer |
Final Drive | 13/48 |
Clutch | Wet Multi-Plate Belleville Spring |
Gearbox | 5 Speed |
CHASSIS | |
Frame | Aluminium, Spine |
Swingarm | Aluminium Fabrication |
Front Wheel | 21″ x 1.6″ |
Rear Wheel | 19″ x 1.85″ |
Front Tyre | 80/100 – 21 |
Rear Tyre | 100/90 – 19 |
Front Suspension | KYB 48mm Coil Spring Fork, Compression/Rebound Adjustment, 310mm Travel |
Rear Suspension | KYB Coil, Compression Adjustment (H and L Speed), Rebound Adjustment, 305mm Travel |
Front Brakes | Brembo Twin 24mm Piston, 260mm Disc |
Rear Brakes | Brembo Single 26mm Piston, 220mm Disc |
Instrument Display and Functions | Hour Meter, Multifunction Switch Cubes |
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS | |
Width Handlebars | 836mm |
Height Without Mirror | 1270mm |
Seat Height | 960mm |
Wheelbase | 1492mm |
Rake | 27.4º |
Trail | 116mm |
Wet weight | 104kg |
Tank Capacity | 7 L |
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