This week in US Powersports racing.
Suzuki charges into the 2026 Supercross season with an impressive lineup featuring Ken Roczen, Jason Anderson, and Colt Nichols
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC and Pipes Motorsports Group are thrilled to unveil their official lineup for the 2026 Supercross season, fielding a trio of elite athletes including Daytona winner Ken Roczen, reigning World Supercross SX1 Champion Jason Anderson, and Colt Nichols—each competing aboard the Suzuki RM-Z450.
With three of the sport’s most accomplished and recognizable riders leading the program, Suzuki heads into the 2026 Supercross season with strong momentum and championship-level aspirations. Building on Roczen’s impressive performances throughout 2025 and in the World Supercross Championship, along with Anderson’s newly secured 2025 World Supercross title, 2026 represents a pivotal year as Suzuki lines up with a proven, competitive roster in the premier class.
Ken Roczen returns to the Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki team for his fourth season on the team and he takes on a new role as Global Brand Ambassador for Suzuki. Roczen has had an impressive run on the Suzuki RM-Z450 including 19 podium finishes, a thrilling victory at Daytona, and two overall wins in the 2025 FIM World Supercross Championship, dominating the Buenos Aires opener winning all three main events.
Ken Roczen returns to Supercross competition with Suzuki, carrying momentum, experience, and proven race-winning speed into the 2026 season.
“I am so happy and extremely excited to start the 2026 season with the PMG group, the people that I’ve been with for the last four years, and of course the partnership with Suzuki, ” said Roczen. “I think we have a great motorcycle and we have been able to keep making it better and better. I’ve been having a lot of fun practicing on and racing the RM-Z450.”
“We’ve been doing really well lately and I’m looking forward to carrying some of that momentum into the 2026 season. I’m excited to get it going and we have definitely done our work and now it’s time to have some fun and see where we stack up against the competition.”
New to the team for 2026, but not new to the brand, Suzuki is pleased to welcome Jason Anderson back to Suzuki on the Twisted Tea Suzuki Presented by Progressive Insurance RM-Z450.
Anderson, the 2018 AMA Supercross 450SX Champion who began his career as a Team Suzuki amateur in 2003, brings a proven blend of experience and raw talent to the team—and has already showcased his exceptional speed aboard the RM-Z450 winning the 2025 FIM World Supercross Championship for Suzuki.
“ I’m excited to get 2026 going with Suzuki again, and have been working really hard with the team to get ready to be on the podium!” said Jason Anderson.
Newly crowned World Supercross Champion Jason Anderson joins Twisted Tea Suzuki Presented by Progressive Insurance Suzuki for the 2026 Supercross season.
Nichols, the 2019 AMA 250SX East Region Supercross Champion, will line up alongside teammates Ken Roczen and Jason Anderson aboard Suzuki’s proven RM-Z450 platform. With a full year of experience under his belt, Nichols aims to carry forward the continuity and chemistry developed with his team, turning consistency into podium results and a strong start to the 2026 SuperMotocross campaign.
Completing the 2026 Suzuki Supercross lineup is proven performer Colt Nichols. Colt had a strong season in 2025 aboard the Suzuki RM-Z450 and is looking forward to racing at the highest level with the Twisted Tea Suzuki Presented by Progressive Insurance team.
Nichols delivered strong and consistent performances throughout the Supercross season and is already showing momentum heading into 2026, earning an overall podium finish aboard his Suzuki RM-Z450 at the final round of the World Supercross Championship during the South African GP in Cape Town.
Colt Nichols enters the 2026 Supercross season with Suzuki following a productive offseason and strong performances in WSX.
“I’m very excited to be back with the HEP Twisted Tea Suzuki team for 2026,” commented Nichols. “ We have a fun team and I really enjoyed working and being around all of these guys. Looking forward to leveling up this year and couldn’t think of a better group to do it with”
Chris Wheeler, Motorsports Manager from Suzuki confirmed the positive mood of the team heading into the 2026 season: “There’s very good energy within our group heading into the 2026 Supercross season. We have a great mix of talent, perspectives, and experience that continues to push the program forward each year. The team is fun, but serious and focused, and we’re seeing improvement across the board—from technical development to communication—which makes the momentum around this program exciting and infectious.”
A multi-time championship winner, Larry Brooks continues to provide a wealth of experience and proven leadership to the program. His talent for matching rider strengths with exceptional Suzuki performance has been critical in the team’s preparation for the 2026 season.
“2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the HEP Suzuki team. We’re thrilled to welcome back Ken Roczen and Colt Nichols, and excited to add Jason Anderson to our team roster,” said Brooks. “That gives us three incredibly strong racers heading into the 2026 Supercross season. As a team, we’re united by a shared goal: giving our absolute best and having fun while doing what we love most—racing motorcycles for a living.”
For the 2026 season, Suzuki and Pipes Motorsports Group continue their focused commitment to the premier 450-class championship, reinforcing a clear objective: deliver peak performance and compete at the highest level of Supercross.
The team now turns its attention to the season opener on January 10 at Anaheim Stadium, where fans can expect intense, high-level racing as Roczen, Anderson and Nichols line up aboard the Championship winning Suzuki RM-Z450.
Suzuki remains proud of its deep racing heritage and moves forward with a program built on elite rider talent, experienced leadership, and strong technical expertise. With momentum on its side, the 2026 season promises plenty of excitement, and Suzuki invites fans to follow along for another action-packed year.
For the latest team updates, news, and race insights, visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/Motocross or HEPMotorsports.com.
Politelli Stands Tall as AMA FIM North America Arenacross Delivers a Thriller in Boise
he AMA FIM North America Arenacross Championship presented by Kicker brought the intensity to Boise, Idaho last night as the Ford Idaho Center hosted a full night of AX Pro and AX Pro Lites racing, with packed grandstands, a tight and technical track, and championship-level battles from the opening gate drop to the final checkered flag.
Cole Thompson (#16, Yamaha) leads Austin Politelli (#98, Honda) into the whoops after a packed first turn
AX Pro: Politelli Claims the Overall as Boise Crowd Stays on Its Feet
Austin Politelli (#98, Honda) catches air on his way to Main Event 1 victory in front of a packed Ford Idaho Center crowd
The AX Pro class delivered competitive racing all night, with multiple riders trading momentum across heats and mains. When the dust settled, MotoConcepts Racing’s Austin Politelli (#98, Honda) emerged as the overall winner after a standout performance landing the RaceTech Fastest Qualifier, a Heat Race win and a dominant Main Event 1 victory. Politelli capped off the night with a third-place finish in Main Event 2, earning him the top step of the podium through consistency and execution.
Ryan Breece (#200, Honda) delivered the hard-charging style he’s known for all night
Idaho favorite Ryan Breece (#200, Honda) won his heat race and followed up with strong podium finishes in both main events, keeping the crowd on their feet with a hard charge through the pack after a get-off after the first turn in Main 2. He secured second overall for the night behind his MotoConcepts Racing teammate, Politelli.
Robbie Wageman (#14, Yamaha) celebrates an outstanding win in Main 2
Robbie Wageman (#14, Yamaha) rounded out the AX Pro podium aboard the Team Solitaire Heartbeat Hot Sauce Yamaha with a dramatic night that showcased resilience and speed. After finishing second in his heat and fifth in Main Event 1, Wageman rebounded in impressive fashion with a commanding win in Main Event 2 to claim third overall.
Kyle Bitterman (#581, Honda) and Cole Thompson (#16, Yamaha) battling for 4th and 5th place
Just off the podium, Cole Thompson (#16, Yamaha) delivered another solid performance, finishing fourth overall with consistent results across the night, while Kyle Bitterman (#581, Honda) completed the top five after battling inside the lead pack in both main events.
AX Pro Overall Results
- Austin Politelli – Murrieta, CA – MotoConcepts Racing Honda
- Ryan Breece – Post Falls, ID – MotoConcepts Racing Honda
- Robbie Wageman – Newhall, CA – Team Solitaire Heartbeat Hot Sauce Yamaha
- Cole Thompson – Brigden, ON – Team Solitaire Heartbeat Hot Sauce Yamaha
- Kyle Bitterman – Pelzer, SC – Honda
AX Pro Lites: Morales Breaks Through with Statement Win
The AX Pro Lites class delivered no shortage of excitement, with multiple riders showing race-winning speed across the two main events. Dane Morales (#33, Husqvarna) put together the strongest overall performance of the night, finishing third in Main Event 1 before charging to victory in Main Event 2 to secure the overall win.
Consistency was the name of the game for Liam Dodds (#58, Yamaha), who finished second in both main events to earn second overall. Dodds remained firmly in the mix all night and kept pressure on the leaders from start to finish.
Trinnytie Batchelor (#48, Kawasaki) showcased front-running speed with a win in Main Event 1, but a third-place result in Main Event 2 placed him third overall. Tank Sumers (#618, KTM) and Ryder Partridge (#714, Kawasaki) rounded out the top five with steady performances across both races.
AX Pro Lites Overall Results
- Dane Morales – Huntington Beach, CA – Husqvarna
- Liam Dodds – Revelstoke, BC – Yamaha
- Trinnytie Batchelor – Mountain Home, ID – Kawasaki
- Tank Sumers – Ridgecrest, CA – KTM
- Ryder Partridge – Santa Ana, CA – Kawasaki
From the opening laps of AX Pro Lites to the final charge in AX Pro, last night’s racing in Boise delivered exactly what Arenacross fans expect: tight battles, shifting momentum, and riders pushing the limits on a challenging indoor track. With championship points on the line and intensity building with each round, the AMA FIM North America Arenacross Championship brings the heat to Loveland, Colorado’s Blue Arena for Round 3 – CLICK HERE to buy tickets.
For full results, upcoming rounds, and championship updates, visit arenacrossusa.com.
