Cooper Webb wins with an arm pump in Seattle.
Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment
Seattle, Wash., (March 23, 2024) Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb took a thrilling win at Lumen Field in Seattle to get his third win of the season at Round 11 of the 2024 Monster Energy Supercross season. The win marked the slimmest margin of victory so far this season as 58,342 fans cheered Webb and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton to the finish line.
“This is probably – we keep saying it every weekend – but by far the gnarliest track I’ve ridden. And it was really tough; we were all trying to push the pace, but you had to watch out for all the changing lines, the ruts, the lappers… I got arm pump pretty bad there at the end and it was just [a matter of] surviving, but I was able to hold on. Chase rode great, obviously made a few mistakes, then I’d make mistakes, and we’d go back and forth so, man, I’m stoked. I just want to give it up to the good Lord, want to give it up to the team; man, we’ve been dealt some adversity and we’re fighting through it, and it just feels amazing to win. It’s crazy, you know, you see Jett do it over and over and you just, you want to get that feeling again… I’m pumped.” – Cooper Webb.
How in the world is Ken Roczen riding so well on a Suzuki?
Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment
Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen took second place in Indy with (2-2-3) race scores on a soft and rutted track. Ken Roczen and Shane McElrath getting good starts made Suzuki look like they have been developing their Dirtbike models like their competitors. I wouldn’t be surprised if Suzuki sales go up because these yellow bikes are competitive against electric-start bikes. The question is, what’s really the reason behind Roczen riding this well on an inferior bike? Is the Suzuki really an inferior bike? I don’t think so based on the availability of resources their team has. Probably the only advantage of the other teams is their electric starts. But what really makes Roczen ride this well even though he is in the twilight of his prime? Here’s my opinion about it:
- Roczen’s dad became part of the Lawrence brothers’ training program when Roczen was racing full-time in the US. That psychological setting creates a bond between them. They, in a sense, share the same roots. The success of one is the success of the other. This just gives Roczen positive motivation to ride well and strive to win because there’s no negative pressure. Take note: Roczen is also a non-American, like the Lawrence brothers, who are from Australia. They are invisible team mates in a sense against American riders who were products of the whole amateur-to-pro system of the US.
- Riding the Suzuki brand that is supposed to be defunct just allows Roczen to have zero pressure from sponsors simply because he is an underdog. For sure, he was offered a ride from the big manufacturers, but why did he choose to ride yellow? Simply because he doesn’t want pressure at this stage of his career. So without negative pressure from the sponsors, Kenny is having fun again.
- Ken Roczen is just a natural talent. Without the pressure discussed above, Ken Roczen can reach his true potential. Remember Chad Reed when he was at this stage of his career and put up Two two motorsport? Kenny is in a much better position because he doesn’t have to worry about running the whole race team business, just like Reed did. He can just focus on his riding and having fun.
The question right now is: can he still win the title over Jett? Maybe not, but he sure will be happy to rack up some more wins before the year ends and maybe catch Webb in the overall title race.
Jett Lawrence dominates Indy Supercross
Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment
Indianapolis, Indiana (March 17, 2024): Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence took the win, his fifth victory of the season, at Round 10 of the 17-round 2024 Monster Energy Supercross season inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Lawrence became the second 450SX Class racer to sweep a Triple Crown event, which uses the results from three 12-minute plus one-lap races to determine the overall winner.
Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen took second place in Indy with (2-2-3) race scores on a soft and rutted track that challenged the racers throughout the night. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton put in a strong charge in Race 3 and finished in third place overall with (3-3-2) race scores. In the Eastern Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Cameron McAdoo earned his first win of the season with (1-2-3) race finishes.
“It was pretty cool, and Lars [Lindstrom] told me after the race that the last person [to sweep a Triple Crown] was Kenny and it was on a Honda, too. So it’s kind of cool to keep that ritual going with the Honda, going 1-1-1… That track was gnarly, it can kind of catch you at any moment. It was scary riding next to someone in the rhythm, because you’re just – you’re trying to stay as straight as possible and it just kind of, it could catch you off guard pretty quickly… The track was gnarly but I think it creates some good racing.” – Jett
Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment
“It’s been a while since I got a win. They all feel so good… I’m just so grateful to be in this position, to be this healthy, to fight for this, and just to race my dirt bike. Like, that was what I live for, going into that third race tied on points and just that lock-in [of focus]. And like I’ve been saying all night, just [focusing on] being present where my feet are, and gosh, I’m just so proud of that one. I’ve had a long road, just as all of us have. Dirt bikes are tough, and they’re so rewarding, but I’m just so grateful for my family who’ve been with me. They love me just as much every time, whether I come home and win or [get] 15th or whatever it is. And this is just so special to get to do it in front of you guys. I’ve said it before, this is my dream. Shout out to my dad. He had to work today; he’s in construction and he’s only like an hour and a half away from here but he couldn’t make it so – love you, Pops. Shout out to all my people behind me, every time… This is so special. And a quote that I’ve really tried to live by lately is – my wife has a sign in our room that says, ‘These are the good old days,’ and I truly believe that, so I’m grateful for this. Thank you to Indy fans. I love this city… This one felt really good and these aren’t easy to come by so I’m gonna soak it in. [When McAdoo was told his race bike will run the red plate the next time he rides it] That gives me chills. That’s surreal to me, still. I’ve had it twice and, yeah, I’m just gonna keep working for this, and keep doing our best; Can’t wait to get home to my pup.” – Cameron McAdoo
Unstoppable Jettson and Tom make it back to back in Alabama
Both foreigners won the Alabama Supercross this past weekend! Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence from Australia, and Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle from France! Like the NBA, where it’s not the Olympics of basketball, hence it’s not technically a world title, but the best riders in the world want to race in Supercross. Who would not be enticed to race it in front of thousands of fans?
Jett Lawrence grabbed the holeshot inside Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, and never relinquished the lead spot to become the first rider in the 450 class to go back-to-back wins. Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha rider Cooper Webb rode like a 2x champ but was not close enough to challenge the rookie for the lead. Meanwhile, the 250 East class had a lot of drama, which involved Monster Energy Yamaha’s Haiden Deegan, but it was Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle who won, and like Lawrence, he became the first to accomplish back-to-back wins this season.
Supercross has indeed become a global sport with global fans. AMA Supercross might not be sanctioned by the sport’s world federation, but Supercross is American-made and attracts the best riders in the world. Congratulations, Jett and Tom.
Phot Credit- Feld Entertainment
“You’re only good as your last race” #MmfEditorial
Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment
Eight rounds in, nine more rounds to go. Have you ever heard of the saying in our sport, “You’re only as good as your last race?” This is a very common statement in the sport of racing dirtbikes. And this is a very wrong statement to believe for the community simply because it undermines the science of nature. There will be days when the human body is not feeling 100 percent. Not just with physical health but with mental health as well. And it is motorsports, meaning there is bike setup, and it’s a team effort to make the bike 100 percent. Not to mention the ever-deteriorating race track like Daytona and the quick decisions riders need to make to react to another rider’s mistake.
How many riders got injured because they felt they had to push beyond their limits during their off days because they didn’t want to feel bad for six days waiting for the weekend’s race to do better? Dirtbike racing is very gnarly, and with the wrong mindset, it can bite you anytime.
The last two rounds have seen the rise of Eli Tomac and doubts about it. With the Daytona race being the last race up until this article is written, the tendency of those who believe in the statement that you’re only as good as your last race is to conclude that Jett Lawrence will win the championship. He will dominate and extend his lead. And Eli Tomac should have retired. It is pretty brutal, but it is a culture. Nobody can escape this culture. That’s why it is important to have the right perspective for these racers and be reminded that it’s just eight rounds in and there’s nine more to go. Can somebody from Jason Anderson’s camp let the fans know what’s happening with him right now?
In my opinion, this statement has become a culture. This culture should end. How does the dirtbike culture combat this cultural statement? This is why I think having the SMX is good for the sport. The whole playoff thing is brilliant because it can give a chance for other non-performing riders to make a reset and turn a bad season into a better one, hence setting them up psychologically ready for the next season.
What do you guys think?
-Sam
Jett Lawrence dominated Daytona Supercross
Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment
Daytona Beach, Fla. (March 3, 2024): Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence took his third win of the season at Round 8 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship inside the Daytona International Speedway. The rain from the previous weeks made the dirt very soft, and the strong downpour before the qualifying made it arguably the most challenging Daytona Supercross track condition ever. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac settled for an impressive second-place finish, with his bike smoking pretty badly around half way until the end while battling with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton. Tomac’s winning streak of five straight wins at Daytona ended that day.
“It felt great. I felt good all day, but like I said, we came here for business… I’m just happy to come out of here with a win. Now I only hope we can keep clicking them off. I improved on my mistakes from last weekend, so I’m pumped about that and I’m ready to go on to the next few… [This win] means the world. The first time coming here and already winning a Daytona, it’s awesome. It’s like a home race for me. I gotta thank the crowd, they’re wild.” – Jett Lawrence
Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment
From France to the US, Tom Vialle imposed himself as a Supercross Title Contender!
Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment
Daytona Beach, Florida (March 3, 2024): Red Bull KTM rider Tom Vialle wins his career-first supercross on a very difficult track. The former two-time Mx2 World Champion from France rode a superb race, avoiding costly mistakes that earned him his very first supercross win.
Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment
This year is Vialle’s second year in Supercross, and with a podium finish at Arlington, Texas, last weekend, he continued the momentum and today won one of the biggest, if not the biggest, supercross rounds of the series! With this big win, can he continue the momentum and be accepted as a legitimate title contender by the global Supercross fans?
Former MX 2 World Champion Tom Vialle got his first career Supercross podium
Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment
Arlington, Texas (February 24, 2024): Former MX2 World Champion and Red Bull KTM rider Tom Vialle got his first career podium last weekend in his second year doing 250 supercross! His podium achievement was kind of overshadowed by the traumatic crash of Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Austin Forkner and the first career win of Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Danger Boy Deegan!
Photo credit: Feld Entertainment
The 2x former MX2 World Champion from France had a bad first race during the first round of the 2024 Monster Energy supercross by Feld Entertainment when he was involved in the first turn crash pile-up, but even prior to that, he has been under the radar as one of the riders who can be a threat to the championship. That’s just normal, as he was not able to perform last year in his first year doing supercross. And during the outdoor, where everyone thought he could challenge for the outdoor title since he was the reigning Mx2 world champion, he was able to win only one race at Southwick.
But with this podium finish, Vialle showed consistency on a very technical track. Will he get his first win in Daytona? Moreover, will he carry that momentum to win his first Supercross title?
Danger Boy Deegan wins his first career 250 Supercross
Arlington, Texas (February 24, 2024): Monster Energy Star Racing’s Danger Boy Deegan has done it! He has won his first career 250 Supercross and, as expected, celebrated it with a ghost ride after crossing the finish line! Deegan was in second place most of the race behind Kawasaki’s Austin Forkner until the latter made a mistake and had a massive crash that left him unable to rejoin the race.
“I am so amped right now. My first career win in Supercross, this is unreal…. Obviously, man, that’s terrible to see Austin, [he was] ripping, and to see that happen is sad, man. I wanted to fight for this with him, man. I wanted to go back and forth and bang bars this season. But it’s racing, and the pressure, you know, it gets to you… This is a very, very technical track. And I watched the heat race back and I saw Austin making several mistakes, and I was like, I mean, I made mistakes myself, but I was like, ‘If I clean up my riding and [can put on the] pressure, it’s any man’s race…’ I just had good flow around the whole track, and yeah, all I can say is: Welcome to the danger zone, baby!” – Haiden Deegan
Photo credit: Feld Entertainment
The 18-year-old son of former pro racer turned FMX legend, Brian Deegan, honored his dad when he ghost-rode his bike after crossing the finish line. Although Brian Deegan did it as a celebration for the win years ago at the LA Coliseum, the AMA made a rule against it. True enough, there was indeed a ruling against it when Danger Boy received a written warning for violating the rider’s code of conduct.
Cooper Webb wins Arlington Texas Supercross!
Photo Credit: Feld Entertainment
Arlington, Texas (February 24, 2024): Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb took an impressive win at Round 7 of the 2024 Monster Energy Supercross season in front of 67,319 fans at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Webb had a good start in the main event, typical Webb style, where he turned a bad qualifying and heat race into a remarkable main event performance! His win is his sixth in the Dallas region, extending his record for most wins in the area. He was behind Honda’s Jett Lawrence most of the main event in second until the rookie made a mistake and handed the lead, hence the win to the two time 450 Supercross Champ. Here’s what he had to say about the race:
“Obviously I got a little bit of a handout [when Jett crashed] but man, I just kept pushing my laps [and] was trying to stay as close as I could to Jett. The track got really tough, especially over where he fell; it was really hard to get that rhythm. And I just saw him down, I’m like, ‘Oh, man.’ What a ride! I’m pumped. I gotta give it up to my team. I had a terrible day, lost a lot of confidence and they came to me and told me, excuse my French, but I’m a bad MoFo and to pull my head out of my [rear], and that’s exactly what I needed… Jett was riding incredible and, man, I just can’t believe it still. I’m in shock. Gotta give it up to this place, it’s always good to me… I might as well just buy a suite here because I love this place.” – Cooper Webb