This week in US Powersports racing.
MotoSport Steps Away from Sponsoring Pro Motocross
Portland, OR – After nearly 10 years of partnering with MX Sports, MotoSport.com has decided to step away from being the official online retailer and hole shot sponsor of Pro Motocross. It has been an absolute pleasure engaging with fans at each round and watching the best racers in the world battle to claim the iconic MotoSport.com Holeshot.
We are not stepping away from racing but rather focusing even more of our efforts on supporting the heart and soul of moto – the riders and racers at every level of our sport. Our goal is to continue to grow this great sport and increase our support for grassroots Moto, the Offroad community, and our participation in many of the other motorcycle categories.
In addition, the Ultimate Bike Sweepstakes will be back in 2025 with bigger and better prizes in the works. Be on the lookout for more information regarding this sweepstakes after the first of the year.
“It truly has been an amazing run with MX Sports and Pro Motocross, which made this a difficult decision. Our mission is to make your next ride your best ride and we believe that increasing our focus on the local track, trail, and every day rider will help us accomplish that even more as we move forward,” said John St Juliana, MotoSport GM
MotoSport.com wants to thank the entire staff at MX Sports, the television crews, all the tracks and promoters, the racers that battle week in and week out, and most of all the fans. The fans are what make racing outdoors so special. Without a doubt, you are the best fans in the world.
MotoSport.com has spent over 25 years making your next ride, your best ride with a commitment to you, the riding community. We’ll continue to provide the best customer service in the industry, a huge selection of parts, gear, and accessories, and fast shipping anywhere in the continental U.S. We look forward to seeing you out on the track, trail, or open road.
RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING CHARGING INTO 2025 SMX WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON
MURRIETA, Calif. – A returning four-rider Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team will feature Chase Sexton and Aaron Plessinger in the 450 Class alongside 250 Class duo Tom Vialle and Julien Beaumer in the 2025 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX), inclusive of the AMA Supercross, Pro Motocross and SMX Finals series.
Equipped with the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, the 31-round marathon will see 25-year-old Sexton out to reclaim the 450SX title that he earned in 2023, before he aims to defend his 450MX championship outdoors, and then will target a first-career 450SMX crown in the post-season. With a full season with Red Bull KTM complete, the pair are in a strong position to build upon their success together into the new year.
Chase Sexton: “We’re getting close to the season now and I had a good off-season, took around five weeks off of the bike, so I feel refreshed and we’ve made a lot of progress – compared to last year I’m in a much better spot for 2025. The goal this season is to win more races than last year, so I feel good, and I’m ready to start the season.”
Alongside Sexton, Plessinger, 28, is entering his fourth term with Red Bull KTM and is coming off the strongest season of his career in winning a Supercross Main Event in San Diego. ‘The Cowboy’ finished third overall in Pro Motocross, before racing to P4 at the conclusion of the SMX season. Those results mean that Plessinger will enter Anaheim 1 with confidence on his side and with even larger targets to achieve.
Aaron Plessinger: “I’m super-stoked for the 2025 season! I’m ready to start where we left off in Supercross last year, where I won my first Main Event, and I only think we’re going to get better this year. The bike’s good, I’m feeling strong both physically and mentally, so I’m ready to show these guys that I’m here to stick around and that it ain’t no game. I’m ready to see the fans and have a good time doing it!”
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s 250 line-up will once again be headlined by the exciting combination of 24-year-old Vialle – the reigning 250SX East Champion – and talented young American prospect Beaumer, each competing aboard the KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION.
Already a two-time MX2 World Champion prior to his arrival in the United States, French standout Vialle will enter 2025 in search of a second 250SX title, while also firmly targeting his maiden American outdoor championship in 250MX. The Red Bull KTM rider placed runner-up in both Pro Motocross and SMX this year, showcasing his capabilities across the board during his second year being based in the U.S.
Tom Vialle: “Everything has been going good this off-season, I was able to win the Paris Supercross, and we have done a lot of testing with the team already. I’m really happy with the bike, the suspension, and also, we have some engine upgrades, so everything so far is working good together. I’m going into my third year of Supercross and was able to win the 250SX East Championship this year, and now I am working hard to try and defend it in 2025. I’m really happy to win my first title indoors and the goal is to win another one next season. It’s a little bit of extra pressure, but I wouldn’t say a lot.”
At 18 years of age, Beaumer is preparing to enter his second full season of professional competition after debuting with Red Bull KTM one year ago. He finished as Rookie of the Year in both 250SX and 250MX, before going on to capture a breakout 250SMX podium result during the SMX Playoffs. Added experience will be instrumental for ‘JuJu’ when the racing commences next season.
Julien Beaumer: “The off-season’s been going really good for me, I’m excited to get going, and the goal this year is to win. I’m in a spot right now where I’m confident that I have the fitness and speed to do that, because I’ve been feeling good on the bike and we’ve made a lot of progress. Last year I had speed, but I made quite a few rookie mistakes, so I have been learning to eliminate those and I’m confident that this upcoming season will be a lot better for me.”
Ian Harrison, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “We’ve had a good off-season to prepare so far, and we are ready to start our second year with Chase, so hopefully we can expand on our success and get even better with him for 2025. Aaron had his best season ever this past year, and the plan is to improve on that too. Tom is the defending champion in 250SX East, it will be great to see the number 1 on our bike when the Eastern Region begins. Julien is going into his second season with us, so we are hoping that after a strong pre-season he will be in a position to really shine also. It’s always an exciting time leading up to Anaheim 1 and we are ready for the challenge ahead.”
New Team Dunlop Road Racing Elite Roster
Dunlop Motorcycle Tires, the official tire of MotoAmerica since 2015, is excited to announce its first Team Dunlop Road Racing Elite roster for the 2025 season.
Dunlop has expanded its highly successful Team Dunlop Motocross and Flat Track programs in 2025 to include select amateur Road Racers. The goal of the program is to help support and develop up-and-coming amateur road racers that have consciously chosen to dedicate their lives to becoming future stars and champions of the sport.
Like the Team Dunlop Elite motocross and flat track programs, the Team Dunlop Road Race Elite program includes select amateur racers who will receive unique benefits and support on and off the track.
For the inaugural season, Team Dunlop Road Race Elite riders include MotoAmerica Mini Cup champions, Mahdi Salem, Jase Dill, Gabriel Datis and Chase Jazikoff, plus Hank “Danger” Vosberg, international racer Kensei Matsudaira, Connor “Corn Dog” Raymond with mini-bike hotshots Cooper “The Mayor” Jazikoff and Cruise “Shark Bait” Texter.
Team Dunlop was formed 18 years ago to help amateur motocross racers obtain tire support and receive more exposure, so they could chase their goals of becoming professional racers. Today, the Team Dunlop Elite amateur motocross and Flat Track programs have successfully helped many riders make a transition to the professional ranks, including Eli Tomac, Adam Cianciarulo, Chase Sexton, Justin Barcia, Haiden Deegan, Ashley Fiolek, Ryder DiFrancesco, Austin Forkner, Garrett Marchbanks, Aaron Plessinger plus Jess Reynolds, Evan Renshaw and Chase Renshaw to name a few.
Dunlop hopes the new Team Dunlop Road Race Elite program will assist riders in their journey to the professional ranks, just as their motocross and flat track alumni have over the years.
“We are very excited with the challenge of creating a new Team Dunlop Road Race Elite amateur program,” said Cori Maynard, Amateur Road Race Support Manager and Motorsports Logistics Coordinator for Dunlop Motorcycle Tires. “Our amateur motocross and flat track program are one of the most successful programs in the country and we look forward to making the Team Dunlop Road Race program just as prestigious.”
To inquire about Dunlop’s new road race amateur support program, go to the new teamdunlop.com.
MTRSPT1 Now Available 24/7 On MotoAmerica’s YouTube Channel
MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is pleased to announce that it is partnering with MTRSPT1, the 24/7 live-streaming network that delivers motorsports entertainment, including the MotoAmerica Championship, to bring its 24-hour live stream to MotoAmerica’s YouTube channel during the off-season.
MTRSPT1’s live stream includes motorsports entertainment from the world of racing on both two and four wheels, including i-Racing, as well as modalities on the water and in the air. MTRSPT1 also airs garage shows and build shows as regular features on its impressive list of motorsports programming.
The MTRSPT1 network reaches 9.2 million households in U.S. over-the-air broadcast and 300 million TVs and boxes in 100-plus countries via FAST (Free Add Supported Television).
“Adding MTRSPT1 to our YouTube channel is the perfect complement to our MotoAmerica racing content, ‘Pressure to Rise,’ and other programming we have on the channel,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “MTRSPT1 offers around-the-clock access to all forms of racing, making it a valuable addition for racing enthusiasts.”
MTRSPT1 is a true destination for motorsports enthusiasts, reaching over 9.2 million households in U.S. over-the-air broadcast and 300 million TVs, devices and apps in more than 200 countries via FAST (Free Add Supported TV). The network broadcasts 300-plus live races annually and nearly 3000 hours of motorsports content featuring over 60 different racing series. MTRSPT1 is accessible on platforms such as LG Channels, Hisense/VIDAA Channels, TCL Live+, Telus, and others, as well as Over-The-Air local broadcast station distribution in 63 U.S. markets.
“We’re excited to partner with MotoAmerica and bring their passionate fanbase even more racing action during the off-season,” said John Duff, COO of MTRSPT1. “This collaboration allows us to expand the reach of MTRSPT1’s diverse motorsports coverage and introduce new audiences to the excitement of live racing from around the globe. We believe this is a winning combination that will benefit both organizations and motorsports enthusiasts alike.”
MTRSPT1’s full schedule of programming can be found at https://www.mtrspt1.com/en/#programming-grid
Honda HRC Progressive Ready for 2025 Season
With the 2025 race season opener just over a month away, Honda HRC Progressive is ready to return to action following a short and busy off-season. The squad hopes to continue the momentum that has seen its riders take the sport’s premier title—the AMA Supercross 450 crown—two years in a row, most recently with Jett Lawrence, who last season was crowned champion in his debut attempt aboard a 450.
Lawrence, who also earned last season’s SuperMotocross 450 Championship, is set to return aboard the #1 2025 CRF450RWE, along with teammate and brother Hunter Lawrence. Now with eight professional AMA crowns to his name at just 21 years of age, Jett is arguably the top rider on the planet. Meanwhile, in his 2024 rookie season in the premier class, Hunter finished a very competitive second in both the 450 Pro Motocross and SuperMotocross standings. The brothers, who also collected the 2024 Motocross of Nations trophy for Team Australia, are among the favorites for race wins and titles in 2025.
Honda HRC Progressive’s quarter-liter program once again comprises Jo Shimoda and Chance Hymas, both of whom will be aboard the all-new 2025 CRF250RWE. Campaigning the West Region, Shimoda is entering his second year with the squad, having turned in a steady 2024 with regular podium appearances. Shimoda, whose soft-spoken nature belies his on-track competitiveness, is the first Japanese rider to win an AMA 250SX main event, and the first Japanese rider to score overall wins in AMA Pro Motocross and SuperMotocross. Hymas, who will race in the East Region, earned his first AMA Pro Motocross overall win last season and is in good health following a string of injuries. He still has the speed that carried him to an exceptional amateur career, and he’s hungry to show his potential.
Along with the continuity in the rider lineup, a return of key staff inspires confidence heading into the new year. Team Manager Lars Lindstrom is again at the helm, supported by 450 and 250 crew chiefs Grant Hutcheson and Jordan Troxell, respectively. Christien Ducharme and Cameron Camera continue in their roles as 450 mechanics for Jett Lawrence and Hunter Lawrence, while Ben Griffith and Thomas Harris are once again spinning wrenches as 250 mechanics for Jo Shimoda and Chance Hymas.
“The success that Honda HRC Progressive has enjoyed over the past couple of years has been impressive, but we’re always striving to do even better,” said Brandon Wilson, Manager of Racing & Advertising at American Honda. “Fortunately, we’re able to keep together an incredible lineup of riders, and we have two very capable race bikes, plus a great group of sponsors that are always behind us. I’m confident that 2025 will just add to Honda’s spectacular heritage.”
“The 2024 season was unbelievable, with Jett winning the 450 Supercross and SuperMotocross titles, Hunter becoming a top 450 rider, both our 250 riders securing race victories, and Team Australia capturing their first Motorcross of Nations,” said Honda HRC Progressive Team Manager Lars Lindstrom. “Our crew has worked super-hard with all four of our riders to get our new bikes dialed in for the opener, and we can’t wait to get on the gate and see where we stack up. We love the progression our team has shown over the past couple of seasons, and I think 2025 will be one of our best yet.”
The AMA Supercross season kicks off with the first of 17 rounds on January 11 in Anaheim, California, followed by the 11-round AMA Pro Motocross series and the three-round SuperMotocross Championship.
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