This week in US Powersports racing.
Monster Energy® Pro Circuit Kawasaki Announces 2027 SMX World Championship Roster
| Monster Energy® Pro Circuit Kawasaki is set for the 2027 SuperMotocross season with a championship-caliber lineup in the 250 Class. The team will once again compete against the world’s best supercross and motocross athletes throughout the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, Pro Motocross Championship, and SMX World Championship™. Entering its 34th year of professional racing competition, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki will continue its pursuit of championships in 2027 with Levi Kitchen, Seth Hammaker, Drew Adams, Nick Romano and newcomer Nate Thrasher. Following another winning season in 2026 culminating with the SMX World Championship, the team looks to carry its storied legacy into the new year with a five-rider lineup combining proven race winners and emerging talent. New to Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki for 2027, Thrasher joins the team with an established record of success in the 250 Class. The Tennessee native earned his seventh career Monster Energy AMA Supercross victory in 2026 at Round 14 in Cleveland. Thrasher enters the year determined to earn more race wins, with his sights set on competing for a championship.  Kitchen returns to Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki as the reigning 250SMX World Champion after securing his first championship in 2026. The Washington native was a championship contender across all three series, finishing runner-up in the Western Divisional 250SX Championship before carrying that momentum into the summer, where he traded possession of the red plate before ultimately finishing third in the Pro Motocross Championship. Kitchen delivered in the end during the SMX Playoffs, securing his first championship and adding a 32nd title to Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s storied history. Kitchen enters 2027 with his sights set on defending his championship and adding another title to his resumé.  Hammaker returns for his seventh season with Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki after another year of showing championship-contending speed. The Pennsylvania native earned his first 250SX victory of the season with a commanding win at Daytona Supercross and ended the season second in the Eastern Divisional 250SX Championship. Hammaker opened the Pro Motocross season with his first career outdoor overall victory at Fox Raceway and took the early championship lead. While sharing the points lead with his teammate Kitchen, Hammaker sustained a shoulder injury at High Point that brought his outdoor campaign to an early end. Hammaker enters 2027 healthy and determined to turn his proven race-winning speed into his first championship. Adams returns to Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki after continuing his development throughout his second professional season. Despite fighting injuries throughout the year, Adams continued to build his speed, earning him fastest qualifier at Daytona Supercross and the Spring Creek national. He enters 2027 ready to translate his qualifying speed and continued progression into consistent results at the front of the field.  After joining Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki as a fill-in rider during the 2026 supercross season, Romano will return to the team full-time for 2027. Romano delivered a breakout performance at Thunder Valley, going 4-5 in the motos to earn his first career overall podium with a third-place finish. Romano looks to take the experience and knowledge he’s gained in the 2026 season to help build on his results in the upcoming season. |
| “I’m super excited to join Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki. It’s been a lifelong dream to be on this team, and I can’t wait to start riding the KX™250F. I’ll be training in Florida with my teammates Levi [Kitchen] and Nick [Romano]. Mitch Payton and the whole team have been great and super welcoming. I look forward to getting the bike dialed in, and my goal is to win a championship this year. I want to keep stacking race wins; my goal would be to get to 10 race wins total within this year. I feel like this is my year, and I want to make it count.” – Nate Thrasher |
| “Going into 2027, we have a lot of momentum to build on with Levi [Kitchen] coming off his SMX World Championship and Seth [Hammaker] continuing to show his championship capabilities. I believe this off-season will give each of our riders the time they need to recover, reset, and dial in their programs for the upcoming year. Drew [Adams] and Nick [Romano] continue to develop their speed and race craft, and both showed a lot of improvement throughout the year. We’re also looking forward to having Nate [Thrasher] join the team. I believe he’s a great fit for our program and has the speed and experience to deliver strong results throughout the season. I’m eager to see how the guys perform in 2027 and showcase the capabilities of the KX™250F throughout the year.” – Mitch Payton, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki Team Owner |
Ryder LeBlond makes it consecutive AMA EnduroCross podiums in Nampa
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder LeBlond secured his second-consecutive podium finish of the 2026 AMA EnduroCross Championship with third overall inside Nampa’s Ford Idaho Center on Saturday night.
AMA EnduroCross Championship – Round 2
Following a runner-up result at the Las Vegas opener, LeBlond continued his competitive start to the season aboard the Husqvarna FX 350, earning another EX Pro Class podium in Idaho.
Consistency was a positive for LeBlond throughout the evening’s three-race program, although a mistake in Race 2 proved costly to his chances of challenging for the overall victory.
The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider ultimately completed the podium behind Trystan Hart and Jonny Walker, leaving Nampa motivated to take another step forward when the championship resumes next weekend.
“We just finished up Nampa EnduroCross, Round 2 of the 2026 season – it was a pretty good night and we got on the podium,”commented LeBlond.“I was pretty consistent and didn’t have too many issues. One little mistake in Moto 2 kind of took me out of contention for the overall – it would have been a little closer going into the final moto, but I let it slip away. It’s racing, and I’ll learn from it. If anything, it’ll just fire me up more for the next race, and I’m looking forward to it!”
The 2026 AMA EnduroCross Championship now continues with Round 3 at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington, on October 24.
EX Pro Class Results
1. Trystan Hart, KTM
2. Jonny Walker, Triumph
3. Ryder LeBlond, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
FMF KTM FACTORY RACING’S TRYSTAN HART WINS NAMPA AMA ENDUROCROSS
FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Trystan Hart claimed his first overall victory of the 2026 AMA EnduroCross Championship inside Nampa’s Ford Idaho Center on Saturday night, with a commanding 1-2-1 scorecard securing the EX Pro Class win at Round 2.
AMA ENDUROCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 2
Two-time AMA EnduroCross Champion Hart returned to the top step of the podium in Nampa, Idaho, converting two race victories and a runner-up finish into the overall aboard his KTM 350 XC-F.
Hart launched to the front in Race 1, leading over the opening tire obstacle before going side by side with Jonny Walker into the rocks. Walker emerged ahead, but Hart maintained pressure throughout the opening laps, capitalizing on a mistake from his title rival to take control and hold the lead through to the checkered flag.
A second-row start made Race 2 more challenging for the Canadian, who was pushed wide through the opening section and shuffled toward the rear of the field. Hart began working his way forward on Lap 2, closing on the top-three before a small error allowed Walker to open a gap. He ultimately recovered to claim a valuable second-place finish.
The deciding race followed a similar pattern to the opening outing, with Hart making another strong start before Walker moved ahead through the rocks. Maintaining pressure once more, the FMF KTM Factory Racing rider reclaimed the lead when Walker fell, going on to take his second race win of the evening and seal P1 overall.
Trystan Hart:“It was a good night of racing, definitely better than Round 1. It would have been sweet for the points if Ryder [LeBlond] got P2, but Jonny made a couple of passes near the end and finished second overall. We got the win, though, so now it’s on to Round 3!”
Round 3 of the 2026 AMA EnduroCross Championship takes place inside Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington, on October 24.
EX Pro Class Results
1. Trystan Hart, FMF KTM Factory Racing
2. Jonny Walker, Triumph
3. Ryder LeBlond, Husqvarna
2026 MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Bobby Fong Joins BMW Motorrad Motorsport and OrangeCat Racing for 2027–2028
BMW Motorrad Motorsport and OrangeCat Racing announced today that reigning MotoAmerica Quad Lock Superbike Champion Bobby Fong will join the team for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. Fong will race the No. 1 BMW M 1000 RR alongside 2026 championship runner-up Sean Dylan Kelly, giving OrangeCat Racing one of the most accomplished rider lineups in the MotoAmerica paddock.
Fong secured the No. 1 plate and the 2026 Superbike title with a decisive late-season charge, including two victories in wet conditions during the final tripleheader at New Jersey Motorsports Park. He clinched the championship ahead of his new OrangeCat Racing teammate, Sean Dylan Kelly, in the final race of the season. By bringing together the championship’s top two finishers, OrangeCat Racing enters 2027 with a formidable pairing and heightened expectations.
“Signing Bobby Fong for 2027 and 2028 is a big moment for OrangeCat Racing.” Said Jeff Connors, Team Principal, OrangeCat Racing. “We’ve had a great relationship with Bobby through our past experiences with him as a competitor, and we know the kind of talent, work ethic, and attitude he brings. Alongside SDK, we believe we have a pairing that will drive the development of our superbike. Two riders who push each other, learn from each other, and share the same goal will only make this team stronger. We thank BMW Motorrad Motorsport and alpha Racing for their partnership, and we look forward to working closely with them to give Bobby and SDK the support and equipment they need to win. We’re excited for what’s ahead.”
BMW Motorrad would like to sincerely thank Jayson Uribe, who is departing OrangeCat Racing, not only for his incredible contributions to the development and success of the BMW M 1000 RR customer racing program but also for his selfless work outside of the race weekends. Thank you to a true brand ambassador and to an amazing human being! We will follow your future success.
Bobby Fong, No. 1 OrangeCat Racing BMW M 1000 RR: “First, I want to sincerely thank Andrew and Jeff for giving me this opportunity and believing in me. I’m incredibly excited to get on the BMW M 1000 RR and get to work. OrangeCat Racing has built an outstanding program, and I’m looking forward to being part of the team as we work together to defend my No. 1 plate.”
Sean Dylan Kelly, No. 40 OrangeCat Racing BMW M 1000 RR: “I’m pumped to hear Bobby is joining the team! We were teammates on Supersport bikes back in 2019, so I know Bobby well and I’m excited to be teaming up with him in superbikes now. I can’t wait for 2027. We are going to work hard to put both BMWs up front!”
The 2027 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship officially kicks off on April 16–18, 2027 at Superbikes at Road Atlanta.
