This week in US Powersports racing.
AMA Racing Adds Supercross & Motocross Veteran Jeremy Albrecht As Technical Manager
The American Motorcyclist Association announced the addition of famed racing tuner Jeremy Albrecht, who will join the AMA Racing Department’s ranks as the technical manager.
“We’re pleased to add the talented Jeremy Albrecht to our racing staff as our technical manager,” AMA Director of Racing Mike Pelletier said. “Jeremy’s extensive experience and successful career at the highest levels of AMA Supercross and motocross competition will undoubtedly strengthen our racing team.”
Albrecht joins the AMA’s racing staff with a wealth of experience in the world of motorcycle competition. Getting his start as an amateur racer, Albrecht used his racing background to become one of the most successful tuners in the history of AMA Supercross and pro motocross.
Starting as a mechanic for his brother, Joel, in 1991, Albrecht quickly made a name for himself as a tuner. In 1995, Albrecht paired with AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jeff Emig, aiding the legendary racer to four titles — including the 1997 AMA Supercross championship.
After his time with Emig, Albrecht became the tuner for another AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer — James Stewart. From 2002-2007, the duo captured seven professional motocross championships — including the 2006 and 2007 AMA Supercross titles.
Following his dominant stretch with Stewart, Albrecht spent 13 years at Joe Gibbs Racing MX — spanning the team’s entire run from 2007-2020.
After Joe Gibbs Racing MX Team ceased operations in 2020, Albrecht remained with JGR in its new business development, working on the manufacturing side of the organization. During this time, Albrecht became involved with the AMA as a rider representative.
Now, Albrecht’s role with the AMA will expand as he will serve as the technical manager for the organization’s racing efforts.
“I’m excited to be back at the races full-time. Working with Mike Pelletier and the AMA crew the last few years has made me want to do more and help grow the sport,” Albrecht said. “I like the direction they are going and can’t wait to do my part.”
Keep up with the latest news and updates from the AMA racing department atAmericanMotorcyclist.com and @ama_racing on Instagram.
In Advance of the 2025 Season, Monster Energy Supercross Boldly Proclaims “Saturday Is Race Day”
Monster Energy AMA Supercross, part of the SMX World Championship™ Series recently unveiled a rebrand campaign that transforms Saturdays into the ultimate celebration of racing. With the launch of its “Saturday Is Race Day” campaign, Supercross is staking its claim as the ultimate form of motorsport competition while also embracing the global fandom that surrounds this storied American-born sport.
Launching this week, the campaign is a bold declaration that every Saturday—henceforth known as Race Day—belongs to Supercross fans. Featuring an electrifying new visual identity, a custom “Race Day” song, and an omnichannel ticketing initiative, the campaign is designed to immerse fans in the raw energy, excitement, and culture of Supercross events like never before. Across mobile, social, digital, and video—not to mention its own theme song—the campaign brings to life the experience beyond the race: a full-day, fan-first extravaganza packed with fun for the whole family.
“This campaign amplifies everything we love about Race Day and invites even more fans to join us in the experience,” said Dave Prater, Vice President – Supercross, Feld Motor Sports. “Supercross brings together the world’s best athletes at the pinnacle of off-road motorcycle racing, showcasing unmatched levels of skill, bravery, strength, and endurance. Seeing the sport up close and meeting these remarkable athletes at FanFest, while being part of the crowd takes the excitement to a whole new level. This campaign is an invitation to experience Supercross live and in person in an entirely new way.”
The new campaign is built around the momentum of Supercross’s record-breaking 2024 season, which marked the second year of the SMX World Championship. This groundbreaking series unified both disciplines of Supercross and Pro Motocross, culminating in the SMX World Championship Playoffs—a three-week postseason format—in Las Vegas, Nev., on Sept. 21. The event saw generational talents Jett Lawrence and Haiden Deegan both secure their second consecutive world championship titles in the 450 and 250 classes, respectively. With 2025 shaping up to be even bigger, the rebrand combines dynamic visuals with cutting-edge storytelling capturing the heart-pounding action and electric atmosphere of Supercross events.
“Supercross is all about community, energy, and the unforgettable feeling of being trackside,” said Sam Gomez, Senior Vice President of Digital Media and Communications at Feld Entertainment. “This campaign encapsulates the passion of our fans and the spirit of the sport while making it easier than ever for people to be part of the action. Thanks to Gupta Media’s storytelling and creative execution, we’re expanding our reach and delivering a campaign that lives up to the thrill of Supercross.”
Supercross FanFest typically draws NHL arena-sized audiences at each round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and is a big part of the overall Supercross experience.
“We knew that a campaign for Supercross had to match the intensity and passion of the sport itself,” said Gogi Gupta, Founder of Gupta Media, which developed the creative campaign in partnership with Feld Motor Sports. “Our team set out to create a campaign that not only drives ticket sales but also connects with fans on an emotional level, capturing the essence of what makes Supercross unforgettable.”
“Creating the ‘Saturday Is Race Day’ campaign was about capturing the raw energy and passion that make Supercross so special,” said Jen Perry, Executive Creative Director at Gupta Media. “We wanted to create something that not only resonates with fans but inspires them to engage and make it their own. Whether it’s through sharing their favorite Race Day moments with their families and friends or creating their own takes on the Race Day chant on social media, this is a rallying cry for the Supercross community to unite and amplify what they love about Race Day.”
A sold-out crowd at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California where the 2025 series will start anew in January.
Fans can expect to see the new Supercross campaign rolling out across digital channels, television, and social media in the coming weeks. Tickets for the upcoming Supercross season are available now at SupercrossLIVE.com. The 17-race Supercross schedule is poised to visit 16 cities across 13 states, from California and Arizona to Alabama and Pennsylvania, which includes four rounds in the Northeast as the SMX League continues to drive growth of the sport within the region. Additional stops include Tampa at Raymond James Stadium and East Rutherford, N.J. at MetLife Stadium. New to the schedule this season is a stop at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Penn, home to the six-time Superbowl winning Pittsburgh Steelers.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 250 Team Prepares for ’25
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing is fired up and ready to launch its 250 title campaign with a talented seven-rider line-up, as well as race the premier class with a returning champion in the 2025 SuperMotocross World Championship. On the 250 side of the tent, reigning Pro Motocross 250MX Champion and back-to-back 250SMX Champion Haiden Deegan is joined by returning members Daxton Bennick and Nate Thrasher. Pierce Brown will make his debut with the team in 2025, while Max Anstie and Michael Mosiman embark on their first full year aboard the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing YZ250F. The young Cole Davies also returns for his first full season with the team and will be making his pro debut. Christian Craig, the team’s 2022 250SX West Champion, returns home in 2025 to race the YZ450F and to help the team with the development of their 250 riders.
After enjoying a host of career milestones in 2023 during his rookie season, Deegan’s meteoric rise continued its upward trend with a stellar sophomore season. Despite being less than 100% coming off of a preseason injury, the Californian earned a runner-up finish in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East Championship with three wins and a total of five podiums. From there, it was Deegan domination as the 18-year-old claimed the Pro Motocross 250MX Championship a weekend early with an impressive tally of 10 moto wins and 18 podiums. In the postseason, he continued to set the bar for the competition, winning five out of six motos en route to claiming his second-consecutive 250SMX Championship. Not resting on his laurels, Deegan has been hard at work during the off-season and has his sights set on adding more titles and victories to his already impressive resume.
Brown, the team’s newest recruit, is looking forward to making his debut with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing next season. The talented rider from Sandy, Utah, has shown speed in the 250 class and is fresh off of his first SMX World Championship 250SMX victory, which he earned at the 2024 season finale in Las Vegas. Riding that momentum, Brown looks to battle for top honors aboard the YZ250F in 2025.
With some time getting acquainted with the team and the bike in the latter half of the 2024 SMX World Championship, Anstie is primed for the 2025 season. He made his pro debut in Monster Energy AMA Supercross with the team back in 2010 and brings with him a wealth of experience. The British rider has enjoyed success in multiple championships overseas and has shown strength over the past two seasons with a pair of wins in the 250SX East Championship. Anstie reunited with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team this year at the Southwick National. He went on to finish the outdoor season and race in the SMX Finals, as well as race the Motocross of Nations for his home country and the first round of WSX. Anstie is eager to kick off the 2025 SMX World Championship and sets his sights on taking top honors aboard the YZ250F.
Bennick returns for his third year with the team and enters his sophomore season in the pro ranks. In 2023, he turned a lot of heads with a stellar finish to his amateur career. In addition to two Supercross Futures wins, he enjoyed a successful outing at the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, dominating the Open Pro Class and was awarded the coveted Nicky Hayden AMA Motocross Horizon Award. Bennick also had an impressive debut in Monster Energy AMA Supercross in 2024, scoring a podium finish at the opening round in Detroit and ultimately finishing the year inside the top 10 in points. Unfortunately, it was a tough outdoor season for the North Carolina rider who was dealing with health issues and ultimately sat out of the SMX World Championship to focus on returning to 100%. Back to full fitness, Bennick is looking to build off his rookie season and return to the top.
Thrasher returns for his fifth year with the team and is eager to get back on track. Although it’s been a tough few seasons with injuries, the Tennessee rider has five 250SX victories to his credit, standing on top of the podium each season and earning two wins as a rookie on the very physically demanding Atlanta Supercross track at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Back to full fitness in 2025, Thrasher has experience on both coasts and is hungrier than ever.
Mosiman is another rider who will enter his first full season with the team in 2025. The Californian has shown the pace to run up front and has a 250SX win to his resume, standing on top of the podium at the 2022 San Diego Supercross. This year, he made his racing debut with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing at Seattle Supercross and was able to get some gate drops before unfortunately injuring his neck while training for the Pro Motocross season opener. Back to 100%, Mosiman is reenergized and ready for battle.
Davies returns in 2025 for his first full season with the team and will move up to the pro ranks, starting with Monster Energy AMA Supercross. The young New Zealand rider made his U.S. debut in 2023 and turned a lot of heads this year. He won the opening qualifying round of Supercross Futures at Anaheim 2 and secured his second 250SX Futures victory at the championship-deciding round in Salt Lake City. The 2024 Supercross Futures AMA National Champion made his debut with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team at the Moto Scouting Combine at RedBud. Davies went on to finish the season in style, taking the final Moto Scouting Combine overall win at Ironman Raceway and scoring a commanding 250 World All-Stars victory at the SMX World Championship Finals in Las Vegas. The 17-year-old has been putting in the work during the off-season and is eager to make his pro debut.
Craig, one of the team’s former champions, returns in 2025 to race the premier class for his first full season aboard the YZ450F. In 2021, he kicked off his debut with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing with a win at the 250SX East season opener in Houston, Texas. The Californian went on to add another five victories to his tally and a total of nine podiums during his two-year tenure with the team aboard the YZ250F in Supercross. For the outdoor season in 2021 and 2022, Craig shifted gears to the Pro Motocross 450MX Championship aboard the YZ450F and secured five moto podiums in 2022 to earn a top-five finish in the point standings. Although he is still working on returning to full fitness from a knee injury incurred at the end of last season, Craig is feeling quite at home with the team and is eager to get back on track, battling for top honors in 2025. In addition to racing, he will also be helping the team with the development of their 250 riders.
The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 250 team would like to thank its partners for their support: Monster Energy, Yamaha Racing, Yamaha Financial Services (YMFUS), Yamalube, GYTR, bLU cRU, Thor, Parts Unlimited, Alpinestars, FMF, Dunlop, KYB, Rekluse, VP Racing Fuels, Cycra, Kite, Twin Air, Light Speed, ARC Levers, Mechanix Wear, Boxo Tools, CWI, D’cor Graphics, Vortex ECU, Braking, Matrix Concepts, Pro Taper, G2 Ergonomics, DID, AFAM, Mettec, and Works Connection.
The 2025 SuperMotocross World Championship kicks off on January 11, as the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season gets underway at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. Anticipation is high as we approach the third year of the SuperMotocross World Championship Series, which includes Monster Energy AMA Supercross, Pro Motocross, and the three-round SMX World Championship Finals. Yamaha is excited to offer an enhanced contingency support program featuring over $5 million for Yamaha bLU cRU riders competing in all three series. Stay tuned for more details on the 2025 Off-Road Racing Contingency Program coming soon.
Jensen Hendler – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 250 Team Manager “It’s been a short but productive off-season, and we can’t wait to go racing. Everyone on the team has been putting in the hours to prepare for the 2025 SMX season, and we feel we’ve got the guys to go out there and get wins and fight for the championship. We’re excited for that first gate drop!”
Haiden Deegan – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #1 and #38 YZ250F “It’s been a good off-season. 2024 was a great year, but I still have some things to check off the list on the 250. We’ve been putting in the work, and we can’t wait to go racing.”
Pierce Brown – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #20 YZ250F “The off-season’s been going really well. It’s been a good change of pace for sure, moving here to Florida and the new bike and new team. I’ve been trying to get used to everything as a whole, but it’s been really easy so far. We’ve been getting the bike dialed in, and just having a good, solid group of guys to work with has made the transition easy. I’m excited to go racing, whether it’s East or West, but I’m hoping sooner than later, as I’m chomping at the bit to get behind the gate. I’m stoked for 2025.”
Max Anstie – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #31 YZ250F “I’m looking forward to 2025. It’s been nice to be fully on the program with Swanie (Gareth Swanepoel) and the guys. Since the Motocross of Nations, I was able to do another supercross kind of race (Vancouver WSX) to feel things out with the bike, and now I’ve just been getting the laps in and finalizing our testing. West Coast or East Coast, we’re not sure yet, but I definitely feel like I’m in a pretty good spot, and I’m excited to see what comes.”
Daxton Bennick – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #34 YZ250F “We’ve had a good off-season. We’re still honestly building each day, each week. It’s an exciting time right now. We have three brand new tracks at The Farm, so you really can’t get bored out here. It’s been really fun, switching up with all the tracks and different dirt. I think we’ll be coming into this year really prepared.”
Nate Thrasher – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #41 YZ250F “We’ve had a good off-season so far, a good training block, so I’m excited to get started on the new season. I feel good and hopefully can put a good season together.”
Michael Mosiman – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #98 YZ250F “I’m grateful for the opportunity to go racing in 2025 with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing. Last season was a bit of a rollercoaster with injuries, and I was not able to show what I could do. I’m healthy now, and I’m looking forward to getting back on the gate in front of the fans soon!”
Cole Davies – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #17 YZ250F “I’m ready to step it up with the big dogs. The off-season has been good to me, and I’m feeling confident that I can go ride to my potential and get some good results.”
Christian Craig – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #28 YZ450F “The off-season’s been tough because I got hurt at the last round and tore some stuff in my knee. I had to get that fixed and have just been doing some physical therapy, so I’m coming in a little behind, but I’m excited to be back with the team where I won my championship. I’m looking forward to getting going with this whole new crew, and this bike looks awesome. As of now, it’s just building my strength back up and getting my speed going again. I’m not sure which round I’m going to come back at, but when I’m 100%, I’ll be ready to line up.”
FMF KTM FACTORY RACING TEAM ANNOUNCES COMPLETE RETURNING 2025 ROSTER
A complete lineup of returning riders will form FMF KTM Factory Racing for the 2025 U.S. offroad season, fresh from an exceptional year that saw the team achieve title-winning success nationwide with its READY TO RACE KTM XC machinery. FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers will also embark on its second term as an official program after earning multiple championships in their inaugural year together.
Next year will see the entire five-rider FMF KTM Factory Racing roster continue in orange, including reigning Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series and U.S. Sprint Enduro Champion Johnny Girroir onboard the KTM 350 XC-F with the target of defending both of those championships.
Girroir will be joined in GNCC by 2021 title winner Ben Kelley, who will be back to 100 percent fitness following an injury-affected past season. Kelley will also be equipped with the KTM 350 XC-F in the AMA National Enduro Championship, highly motivated to challenge for titles across both series.
Johnny Girroir:“I’ve had a really good year, consistent with a lot of podiums all the way until we wrapped up the GNCC title, and I’m extra excited to go racing again for 2025!”
Ben Kelley: “2024 was a difficult one with injuries, but I came back at the end of the year, and now I’m looking forward to coming into 2025 healthy, strong, and for a full season. I want to get back to running up front, win some more races, and to aim for another championship.”
FMF KTM Factory Racing will continue to field five-time National Grand Prix Championship (NGPC) and West Hare Scrambles (WHS) Champion Dante Oliveira alongside younger brother Mateo Oliveira on the West Coast. Mateo will be aboard the KTM 450 XC-F, while Dante will split his time between the KTM 450 XC-F at NGPC and the KTM 350 XC-F at WHS.
Dante Oliveira:“This year was solid, we made a lot of gains, and I was comfortable from the start. I definitely want to ramp up the pace for next year, keep improving for 2025, and it should be another awesome year.”
Mateo Oliveira:“I finished this season really strong and I’m looking to build upon that for 2025. We’ll look to lead some more laps, be in the fight every weekend, and come out even better for the new year.”
Four-time U.S. Hard Enduro Champion and dual AMA EnduroCross Champion Trystan Hart will also feature on the FMF KTM Factory Racing Team, aiming to do the double once again for a third-successive year. The world-class Canadian will once again ride the KTM 300 XC-W 2-Stroke in Hard Enduro, before transitioning to the KTM 350 XC-F 4-Stroke for the tight confines of EnduroCross.
Trystan Hart:“I’m excited for 2025 and I’ve got some goals set out that I want to achieve. I want to get another U.S. Hard Enduro Championship to make it five in a row, and of course, I want to back up the EnduroCross Championship and make that three in a row. I’ve been on the podium at Erzberg a couple of times now, but in second and third, so I’m going to try and get on top there – I know it’s always tough, but I look forward to the challenge. I’m also looking forward to another year with the FMF KTM Factory Racing Team, we’re starting to become like family since I’ve been here for so long now, and I’m definitely excited for the new year.”
Tim Weigand, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “We are thrilled to announce the return of our full FMF KTM Factory Racing Team for the 2025 season. The 2024 season brought us remarkable success, with Johnny Girroir securing championships in both GNCC and U.S. Sprint Enduro, Dante Oliveira excelling in National Grand Prix and West Hare Scrambles, and Trystan Hart dominating U.S. Hard Enduro and EnduroCross. We’re also eager to see a fully-fit Ben Kelley back in action, aiming for titles in GNCC and National Enduro. Mateo Oliveira, now entering his third year in the premier class, is set to make significant strides as the team’s rising star. Each of these athletes embody unwavering dedication and give everything to be at the top of their game. With this outstanding group of riders, we’re excited to see what 2025 holds for us.”
FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers was first introduced for the 2024 season and was immensely successful in its first year of competition together with KTM North America, Inc. Led by authorized KTM dealership owner Chris Landers, the team has retained Grant Davis, Angus Riordan and Brandy Richards for 2025 – all onboard the KTM 250 XC-F.
Chris Landers, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers Manager: “It was an honor to begin our partnership with KTM as a race team and a KTM authorized dealership in just one year. In 2025, we are thrilled to reach new heights, by continuing to grow our extremely talented roster of racers and mechanics at FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers. We are also excited to continue to grow our Monterey, TN, KTM dealership. We look forward to serving our off-road community by offering the best Ready To Race motorcycles on the market.”
After clinching a first-career GNCC XC2 Pro Class Championship and winning two rounds Overall – the John Penton and Buckwheat 100 GNCCs – Davis has established himself as one of the most exciting young riders in the sport. He will look to defend his GNCC XC2 title, as well as competing for the U.S. Sprint Enduro Pro 2 Class title.
Grant Davis:“We had a really good 2024 season, even managed to get two GNCC Overall wins, and I’m excited to defend my XC2 Pro Championship in 2025. That’s the plan!”
Teammate Riordan also firmly placed himself on the radar in making it back-to-back U.S. Sprint Enduro Pro2 Class titles, in addition to finishing runner-up behind Davis in the GNCC XC2 250 Pro point-standings, and achieving success on an international scale with a standout performance on debut in the Wales round of the EnduroGP World Championship. He will once again contest the GNCC XC2 Class, in addition to debuting in the National Enduro NE Pro2 Class for 2025.
Gus Riordan:“This year was good and we’re swapping it up for next season, switching to the National Enduro Series. I’m looking forward to that and GNCC as well, so hopefully we can get some wins and challenge for those titles.”
FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers will welcome Richards back following an exceptional first GNCC campaign in which she finished second in the WXC category. Her move to East Coast-based competition has proven a successful one, earning the U.S. Sprint Enduro Pro Women Championship on debut, and also leading Team USA to become a four-time FIM International Six-Days Enduro (6DAYS) Women’s World Trophy Champion. Brandy will remain in GNCC, in addition to taking on the National Enduro Series in the Women’s Elite division.
Brandy Richards:“2024 was quite the learning curve, my first year on the East Coast and doing GNCCs, and by the end of the year I feel I picked it up pretty well. I’m definitely feeling confident going into next season and I’m excited to keep working for another good year.”
Antti Kallonen, KTM Group North America Director of Offroad Racing: “We have a very motivated and committed team that includes our athletes, personnel and our partnership with Landers KTM. Overall, this program was highly successful this year winning multiple national titles across North America and we are happy to continue with the same line-up to defend all our championships and aim for few new ones to keep KTM on top.”
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 2025 450 Team
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing heads into the highly anticipated 2025 SuperMotocross World Championship geared up and ready for a premier-class heavyweight fight with three championship-proven riders and the potent YZ450F. Two-time 450SX Champion and four-time Pro Motocross 450MX Champion Eli Tomac is joined by two-time 450SX Champion Cooper Webb and the 2021 250SX West Champion Justin Cooper. The 31-round season kicks off after the New Year with the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season opener at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, on January 11.
After a successful off-season of racing around the globe, Tomac is looking to keep the momentum rolling into 2025 as he begins his fourth season with the team and his final full season of racing the SMX World Championship. His debut with the bLU cRU in 2022 was a dream season, earning premier class titles in both Monster Energy AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross, as well as being the team captain of the victorious Team USA at Motocross of Nations. Although he was sidelined with injuries following the penultimate round of the last two seasons of supercross, Tomac has amassed an impressive tally of wins during his tenure with the team – 15 in 450SX and 14 moto wins in 450MX – which not only bolsters his position as the winningest rider currently racing but continues to add to his legacy in the sport. Despite missing this year’s supercross season finale with a thumb injury, he finished fourth in the 450SX point standings with a win and a total of six podiums and was third overall in 450SMX despite being sidelined for 10 rounds. Tomac filled in on short notice and led the charge as the captain for Team USA at this year’s Motocross of Nations in the UK, with the team coming just three points shy of victory. He then continued his successful outings overseas by taking top honors in WSX. Tomac heads into 2025 looking to add to his win tallies and combined total of eight championships across AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross. He sits runner-up on the all-time premier-class win list in AMA Supercross with 52 victories and is also the winningest rider at Daytona Supercross with seven victories at the iconic venue.
With a total of five titles across Monster Energy AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross, Webb is also coming off of a successful off-season of racing overseas as he heads into his second full season with the team aboard the YZ450F. 2024 was a welcome return to Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, where he enjoyed a lot of success in the 250 class – back-to-back 250SX West Championships in 2015 and 2016, as well as the 2016 250MX Championship. Webb’s never-quit attitude and gritty performances saw him battle for the 2024 450SX Championship all the way to the final round. Even with a thumb injury in the later part of the season, he finished runner-up in 450SX with four wins and a total of nine podiums and then secured a top-five finish in the 450SMX Championship despite being sidelined for 10 rounds of the 31-round series while he returned to 100% after his thumb surgery. Webb filled in on short notice to race the 250 for Team USA, finishing runner-up in the team overall, and then he continued his upward momentum to earn his first King of Paris Championship. The North Carolina rider is fired up for 2025 and eager to make another title run in the SMX World Championship.
Cooper returns for his eighth season with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing squad in 2025. Another rider with a rich history and a 250SX West title with the team, the New Yorker had a solid first full season aboard the YZ450F and continued to make progress throughout the year. At the Supercross season finale in Salt Lake City, Utah, he scored a runner-up finish to earn his first premier-class podium and was sixth in the 450SX points. Cooper continued his forward momentum outdoors, finishing fourth in the 450MX points standings with two overall podiums and eight top-five overall finishes. His combined efforts in both Monster Energy AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross gave him a top-five seed in the SuperMotocross World Championship Finals, where he would finish the year eighth despite a cracked collarbone he injured at the second round of the three-round post-season. With a strong year under his belt, Cooper is eager to continue his upward trend in 2025.
The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 450 team would like to thank its partners for their continued support of their championship-winning program: Monster Energy, Yamaha Racing, Yamalube, Yamaha Financial Services (YMFUS), Progressive Insurance, bLU cRU, Rekluse, FMF, KYB, Dunlop, GYTR, D.I.D., AFAM, Kite, VP Fuels, CWI, Twin Air, ProTaper, Parts Unlimited, Motion Pro, Vortex Ignitions, D’Cor, Matrix Concepts, and Mechanics Wear.
As we approach the third year of the SuperMotocross World Championship Series – Monster Energy AMA Supercross, Pro Motocross, and the three-round SMX World Championship Finals – anticipation is high to see who will reign supreme. Yamaha is excited to offer an enhanced contingency support program featuring over $5 million for Yamaha bLU cRU riders competing in all three series. Stay tuned for more details on the 2025 Off-Road Racing Contingency Program coming soon.
Brad Hoffman – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing Team Principal
“It’s been a productive off-season. In addition to all the work the team’s been putting in here at The Farm, we’ve been able to get some gate drops in overseas, which has been good for both Eli and Coop. Justin continues to build, and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do this year. After all the hard work that’s been put in to prepare for the season, we’re looking forward to getting back to racing and battling for the championship.”
Eli Tomac – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #3
“I’m excited for 2025. For me the most important thing was to do my best to come in healthy, and as of now, I am a lot stronger than I was the year before. In 2024, I felt like I had a rushed preparation time, so I’ve done a lot of racing leading up to this point, and it should keep me sharp. To be sharp, coming into Anaheim is going to be very important. As usual, it’s going to be a very packed gate with a lot of guys that can win. I believe I am in a better position than the year before. I’ve had good results with the off-season racing and will try and continue that in the New Year.”
Cooper Webb – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #2
“So far, the off-season’s been great. We’ve been able to do some racing this year, which is awesome. I was able to win King of Paris, and then in Australia, I won the first main event. I had a crash in the second one and was a little banged up after that, but I haven’t missed any days. We’re back to riding, testing, and training for the upcoming year. So far, it’s been good. Everything is very similar for me in 2025 – same trainer, same bike, same team, and same program, so it’s just kind of building off of what we did last year. I’m feeling really good. We had a great 2024 and hopefully can improve off of that.”
Justin Cooper – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #32
First of all, I’m just really proud of myself for making it through the 31 rounds last season. That was important for me, as far as learning. It was a really good year for me. I hit the podium multiple times and, overall, just had a solid year. We have the same bike this year and kind of have a good starting point going into next season. It’s kind of a quick turnaround, I feel. We’ve only had a few months off, but I’m already looking forward to the next 31 races. I can’t wait to come into the new season and see what I can improve on. That’s going to be the fun part, seeing the progression, and hopefully it all pays off.”
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing targets offroad success entering 2025
A sharp new Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing line-up will race into the United States offroad season in 2025, aiming to continue to challenge for championship success with Craig DeLong, Dalton Shirey, Ryder LeBlond and Korie Steede leading the charge.
All four riders are all returning to Husqvarna for the new year, firmly focused on making an impact across the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC), AMA U.S. Sprint Enduro, AMA National Hare & Hound, AMA U.S. Hard Enduro, and AMA EnduroCross Series.
Anthony DiBasilio, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager: “For 2025, our team of four is fired up to get some redemption. This past season was a bit of a struggle for us, but we have learned as a team and are motivated to win some championships! Craig DeLong will be on the FX 350 and Korie Steede will be on her FC 250. They will be returning to take the top step consistently throughout the season in both the GNCC and U.S. Sprint Enduro Series. On the West Coast, Dalton Shirey will be returning to hunt down his fourth championship in the Hare & Hound series aboard his FC 450. Ryder LeBlond is eager to get back on his TE 300 and take on the U.S. Hard Enduro and then he will switch gears and jump on the FX 350 to contest EnduroCross. All four riders are determined to turn the sorrows of the 2024 season into a dominant 2025 campaign, and we can’t wait to make it happen. See you at the races.”
After finishing fourth in the XC1 Open Pro standings this year, a reenergized DeLong – fresh from winning the final round this year – will lead Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s GNCC effort onboard the FX 350, motivated to reclaim the Overall title that he previously captured in 2023. In addition, the 27-year-old will enter the Pro1 category of Sprint Enduro, where he raced to P3 this past season.
Craig DeLong: “This year was a little bit of a rough one with a broken hand and some inconsistencies, but I ended the season on a good note to win the last GNCC, and I’m looking to carry that into 2025. I’m hoping to battle up-front and be in the fight for the championship again – that’s my plan.”
Also in GNCC and Sprint Enduro, Steede will enter her second year with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna and is looking to position herself as a legitimate title threat across both series riding the Husqvarna FC 250. Her season was cut short this year, but Steede still managed to claim third in the GNCC WXC title race with two victories to her credit, plus she was ranked second in the Sprint Enduro Pro Women Class.
Korie Steede: “This season was really solid for the team and I, we took the positives out of it, and worked on getting better and better every weekend. It was really good to lead the GNCC Series for quite a while, even if we did have some setbacks later on in the season, and we’re excited while we get ready for the 2025 season now.”
On the West Coast, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna will be represented by three-time National Hare & Hound Champion Shirey, who will be equipped with the FC 450 as he attempts to regain the Pro Class title. Injury disrupted his 2024 campaign, however, after winning this year’s finale, an off-season of rebuilding will be highly valuable for 26-year-old Shirey.
Dalton Shirey: “This season was probably about the roughest year I’ve ever experienced in my career, but I finally came through at the last national Hare & Hound. It took me a couple of races to start feeling back to my normal self again after my injury and I know I’ll be able to keep growing into next year in 2025.”
Once again in search of the podium in U.S. Hard Enduro and also EnduroCross during the second half of the year, LeBlond continues to establish himself as one of the sport’s most exciting prospects. At 22 years of age, he rode the Husqvarna TE 300 to third in Hard Enduro this year and was P6 onboard a FX 350 in the EX Pro Class of EnduroCross, carrying strong momentum into 2025.
Ryder LeBlond: “We’re ready for the 2025 season, where I’m looking to get some wins. I’ve got a good team, we have some exciting races ahead of us, and it’s going to be a good season ahead. I can’t wait!”
Antti Kallonen, Director of Offroad Racing: “We have very focused team with Husqvarna heading into the new race season. We have high expectations for each rider as they are all proven championship contenders and our sharpened focus and support to each of them will give the edge they need to succeed. Each rider and staff on the team have been with us at least last season or more, so we have very good platform to start the new season.”
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