2023 AMA Supercross Season Preview

Ryan Nitzen | December 27, 2022

It’s the end of the year which only means one thing; Supercross is right around the corner! The 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross and SuperMotocross World Championship are set to kick off on January 7th at Angel’s Stadium in Anaheim, California. We’ve compiled a list of teams, riders, and the series schedule so you can be totally up to date once the gate drops on the 2023 season.

Series

2023 marks the inaugural season of the SuperMotocross World Championship. In short, the Supercross promoters (Feld) have teamed up with the Pro Motocross promoters (MX Sports) for a combined series that spans the full year. Three new “playoff” rounds will take place after the outdoors which will be the official SuperMotocross World Championship. The top 20 riders from Supercross and the top 20 riders from Pro Motocross will be qualified into the playoff rounds. The playoffs hold increased purse money as well as its own individual title.

super-motocross-schedule-cycle-news
The full 2023 SuperMotocross schedule.

For Supercross specifically, the 17 round series kicks off at Angel’s Stadium on January 7th. The first big change is the San Diego round moving from Petco Park in downtown San Diego to Snapdragon Stadium, the college football stadium of San Diego State University. The series also stops in Nashville, Tennessee for round 15 and eventually finishes in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Click here for the full TV broadcast schedule.

Teams

Factory HRC Honda

Chase Sexton #23 – Sexton returns to the Factory Honda team for the 2023 season. He was close so many times in 2022 and finished an eventual sixth in overall points. He’ll be head to toe in Alpinestars helmet, gear, and boots, along with Oakley goggles. This is the last year of Sexton’s current contract and there’s much speculation as to where he’ll land in 2024.

Colt Nichols #45 – Nichols joins the Factory Honda squad after missing the entire ’22 season due to injuries sustained at the season opener. This is the first year in the 450 class for the former 250 class champion and he will be on a Supercross-only deal. Nichols also has an entirely new kit with Bell helmets, Oneal Gear, 100% goggles, and Alpinestars boots.

250 Riders

Jett Lawrence #18 – Honda’s superstar enters another year in the 250 Supercross class. He’ll race the 250 West division and forgoes his chance at defending last year’s 250 East crown. Jett’s likely to race a few of the east coast rounds on a 450 before taking Nichols’ spot on the 450 come outdoors. The #18 continues to wear Alpinestars head to toe with 100% goggles.

Hunter Lawrence #96 – Hunter Lawrence re-enlists with Factory Honda with a new contract that sees him on red through 2024. He’ll race the 250 east championship and will pilot the 250 again outdoors. Hunter is also head to toe Alpinestars with a new deal that puts him in Alpinestars goggles.

Chance Hymas #832 – Chance Hymas moves from amateur to pro in 2023. Rumors point to him racing certain 250 East rounds before taking on the full outdoor national season. Hymas rides in Fly Racing helmet and gear, Scott goggles, and Alpinestars boots.

2023-honda-supercross-team-cycle-news
The 2023 Honda HRC Team. Photo: Honda

Monster Energy Kawasaki

Jason Anderson #21 – No changes under the Kawasaki tent for 2023. Jason Anderson is back for his second year on Team Green. He finished second in Supercross and was a threat all year long. Anderson wears his classic Airoh helmet, Scott goggles, Alpinestars gear, and Alpinestars boots.

Adam Cianciarulo #9 – AC is a longtime Kawasaki rider and ’23 looks no different. After a tumultuous 2022 season, AC returns with hopes of being a contender both indoors and out. He’ll be outfitted in Fox gear head to toe.

2023-kawasaki-supercross
Jason Anderson and Adam Cianciarulo are back on Kawasaki.

Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki

Jo Shimoda #30 – Shimoda was arguably the strongest of the PC riders in 2022. He did get hurt during the Supercross series but was one of the only riders to beat Jett outdoors. Jo is slated to race 250 East.

Seth Hammaker #35 – Hammaker returns to Pro Circuit Kawasaki with a new deal through 2024. He’ll also race 250 East.

Cameron McAdoo #48 – McAdoo is always a threat and earned himself another two year deal after taking a main event win last year. He switches to 250 West for 2023.

Austin Forkner #55 – Forkner looked strong last year before a collision with Jett Lawrence ultimately ruined his title hopes. He returns to Pro Circuit Kawasaki in the 250 West division.

Jett Reynolds #124 – Jett Reynolds’ professional debut continues to be put on hold after a string of untimely injuries. From the sounds of it, he’ll opt out of Supercross in 2023 but will race the full outdoor schedule with the PC team.

Ryder DiFrancesco #75 – Ryder D raced a handful of outdoor rounds last year and is signed with the Pro Circuit team through 2023. He’ll race the Supercross Futures program before taking on the complete outdoor national series.

2023-kawasaki-supercross250
Kawasaki’s 250 roster.

Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha

Eli Tomac #1 – Tomac is back for 2023 in what is likely to be his last season ever. He’ set to defend his Supercross title in a SX-only contract. Tomac will be on the new 2023 Yamaha YZ450F but will remain in Bell Helmets, Oakley goggles, Alpinestars gear and boots. Here’s hoping he sports the number-one plate.

Dylan Ferrandis #14 – Ferrandis continues with Star Racing Yamaha for his third season on the 450. Last year he finished a disappointing 11th in points, but we all know the potential of the fast Fenchman. He’ll also be on the new YZ and in his usual Bell, 100%, Thor, and Alpinestars kit.

Justin Cooper #32 – Cooper has pointed out of the 250 Supercross class and finds himself in a bit of a limbo for 2023. The former champion is likely to race the 450 in certain rounds before going full-time 450 outdoors.

450-star-racing-yamaha-450
Star Racing Yamaha’s 450 entries.

250 Riders

Nate Thrasher #29 – Thrasher is a multi-time race winner and is always a threat. This is his third season as a professional as he takes on the 250 West.

Levi Kitchen #43 – Kitchen took a moto win outdoors and is likely to be up front come Supercross. The #43 also rides 250 West for 2023.

Nick Romano #54 – Nick Romano was bumped up to full-time pro during the 2022 outdoor season which makes ’23 his first year in Supercross. He’ll be the third Star rider on the west.

Stilez Robertson #40 – Stilez Robertson is the first of two new riders for the team after making the switch from Husqvarna. He’ll race 250 East and will be with the team through 2024.

Jordon Smith #58 – Smith is the second new rider for Star. After being plagued with injuries, he’s arguably the veteran of the team.

Haiden Deegan #238 – Deegan is a wild card for the Star team. He raced the final outdoor races in ’22 and isn’t supposed to race Supercross until next year (we think). However, rumors point to him doing Futures early in the year before going full-time Supercross on the east coast. Little Deegan is also likely to race the full outdoor series under the Star tent.

Guillem Farres #88 – Remember this kid from outdoors. Farres is a Spanish MXGP transplant who put in some strong riders this summer and earned a two year deal with Star Racing Yamaha. He’s on an MX-only deal and not supposed to race Supercross this year, but we did see him looking awfully smooth at the Goat Farm back in October. Our guess is as good as yours.

450-star-racing-yamaha-250
Star Racing’s 250 squad.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing

Malcolm Stewart #27 – Mookie is back for his second year with the Husqvarna squad. He finished his best season ever last year in third and is looking for that win in 2023. Malcom is in his usual Shoei helmet, Scott goggles, Seven gear, and Gaerne boots.

Christian Craig #28 – Craig earned his slot on a 450 with the Factory Husqvarna team after winning the 250 West title last year. This will be his first full year on a 450 as his deal takes him through ’24 with the team. Craig’s fit will be Fox head to toe.

250 Riders

RJ Hampshire #24 – RJ returns to Husky for 2023 and will compete on the west coast.

Jalek Swoll #38 – Jalek also continues with Husqvarna for the final year of his current contract. He’s likely to be east coast.

23-husqvarna-supercross
The full Husqvarna Factory Racing team.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

Cooper Webb #2 – The two-time champ is back for another year with Red Bull KTM. His one year deal includes Supercross with the option to race outdoors. This is the second year on KTM’s latest generation, so look for more comfort from Coop this time around. He’ll be sporting a Bell helmet, 100% goggles, Thor gear, and Alpinestars boots.

Aaron Plessinger #7 – The Cowboy returns for his second of two years with KTM. He grabbed a podium early on but injured himself in last year’s Supercross series. AP never lacks for personality and his setup looks the same for ’23.

Marvin Musquin #25 – Musquin seems more energized than ever and just when we thought he’d retire he shocked us all with another one year SX-only deal. He’s fresh off a win at Straight Rhythm and seems to be enjoying the off-season by riding two strokes at the local So-Cal tracks. For 2023 Marv wears an Airoh helmet, 100% goggles, O’Neal gear, and Alpinestars boots.

250 Riders

Max Vohland #34 – Max Vohland enters his third year with the KTM team, the final year of his current deal. He’s fought injuries since turning pro and looks to keep it upright in 2023. He’ll be on 250 West and head to toe in Fox gear.

Tom Vialle #128 – After winning the MX2 title, Vialle makes the move to America to race Supercross and Pro Motocross. The newest French rider will race 250 East which gives him an extra few months to prepare. He’ll be sporting an Airoh helmet, 100% goggles, Thor gear, and Alpinestars boots.

2023-ktm-supercross-team-cyclenews
KTM’s 2023 lineup.

Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing

Justin Barcia #51 – Barcia is back for another year as the sole 450 rider on the Red Bull GasGas Team. This is his last year on his current contract but he assured us this won’t be his last year racing. The team has a new bike for 2023 as GasGas is now on the current KTM platform.

250 Riders

Pierce Brown #33 – Brown logged his best season last year with a third and transitions over to the west coast for 2023. Being a Utah native, he says he’s more comfortable on the west coast dirt.

Michael Mosiman #31 – Mosiman took the first win of his career last year and is looking for more in 2023. He’ll switch over to the east coast rounds of the 250 championship.

23-gas-gas-supercross-cycle-news
The TLD Red Bull GasGas trio. Photo: Cudby

Progressive Insurance/HEP Suzuki

Ken Roczen #94 – Arguably the biggest off-season news came from Ken Roczen signing with the HEP Suzuki team. We hear the deal is one-year Supercross only with the option to race Pro Motocross or the World Supercross where Ken is the defending champion. He keeps his Fox / Red Bull sponsorships while the team gains Progressive Insurance as a title sponsor.

Kyle Chisholm #11 – Chiz is back on the HEP team with a two year deal that puts him in the 450 class for Supercross and Motocross/World Supercross. He’ll be in Fly gear (new team deal), 100% goggles, and Alpinestars boots.

Shane Mcelrath #12 – Mcelrath has been signed as another 450 rider to fill the spot of the injured Brandon Hartranft. He’s also the defending SX2 champion in World Supercross and could stay with the HEP team to defend that title.

Brandon Hartranft #37 – Hartranft is technically signed with the HEP team but a major preseason injury puts him on the sidelines for the early parts of 2023 at a minimum. Right now, there’s no timeframe on his return.

250 Riders

Marshal Weltin #50 – Weltin rode as a fill in rider for the team this summer and returns with a full-time ride for 2023. He’ll race 250 East before likely jumping to a 450 outdoors.

Dillan Schwartz #85 – Dilan Schwartz made the move from BarX Suzuki over to the HEP Suzuki for the World Supercross Championship and it sounds like he’ll stay there for the 2023 Supercross series. Look for him in the 250 West.

23-roczen-hep-suzuki
Ken Roczen is back on a Suzuki for the third time in his career.

Muc-Off / FXR / Club MX Yamaha

Jeremy Martin #6 – JMart is still on a Yamaha and still in the 250’s for 2023. He switches from Star Racing to the Club MX Yamaha team and will look for a title in the 250 East division. Martin’s new kit includes a 6D helmet, FXR goggles, FXR gear, and Gaerne boots.

Garrett Marchbanks #36 – Marchbanks looked good all year in ’22 and is back with the Club MX team. Look for him on the 250 East and then again on a 450 come outdoors.

Enzo Lopes #56 – Enzo Lopes is back with the Club MX team for an SX-only deal on the west coast.

Phil Nicolletti #69 – Filthy Phil is the veteran of the bunch and returns to 250 West. He’s likely to race a 450 come outdoors.

23-club-mx-yamaha-supercross
The Club MX Yamaha Team.

Fire Power Honda 

Dean Wilson #15 – Deano is now on Honda with the Fire Power Honda team as the lone 450 rider. This is the Factory Honda team in Australia (the same team Ken Roczen raced for in WSX). He’ll be on Supercross-only before likely racing the WSX series (no motocross for Dean). Wilson is outfitted in Fly Racing head to toe with Alpinestars boots. He’ll still be sporting his Rockstar Energy helmet.

250 Riders

Max Anstie #63 – Max Anstie is a full-time 250 rider for the Fire Power Honda team after recently winning the Aussie SX2 title. He’s set to race 250 West.

Wilson Todd – Australian, Wilson Todd, is already familiar with the Fire Power Honda team in Australia and is slated to race 250 East.

dean-wilson-honda-cycle-news
Dean Wilson leads the Fire Power Honda squad.

Phoenix Racing Honda

Phoenix Honda will house four riders (possible fifth with Kyle Peters) for the 250 East Coast rounds before taking on the outdoors in both 250 and 450 divisions.

Jace Owen #62 | Cullin Park #67 | Coty Schock #285 | Caden Braswell #222

2023-phoenix-racing-honda
Phoenix Honda’s 2023 team.

Team Tedder Racing

The Hill brothers find themselves teamed up on Tedder Racing KTM’s this year. They’ll be in different gear, but ride the same branded bikes.

#46 Justin Hill | #75 Josh Hill

BarX Suzuki

BarX Suzuki is back with a 250 West program. Their four riders have a new look this year with Bell helmets, Scott goggles, Answer gear, and Alpinestars boots.

Carson Mumford #52 | Derek Drake #53 | Robbie Wageman #59 | Ty Masterpool #81

Solitaire Yamaha

Another 250 West team is the Solitaire Yamaha effort. Their riders will be head to toe in Leatt gear.

Nique Thury #76 | Cole Thompson #83

AJE Motorsports GasGas

Mitchell Harrison #84 | Jerry Robin #93 | Austin Politelli #981

We’re sure there’s a few riders we missed, so feel free to drop a comment if we skipped your favorite rider! See you at the races!

2023 Top 100 and Career Pro Numbers for AMA Supercross and Motocross

*Career Numbers

**New Career Numbers for 2023

1 450SX Eli Tomac
1 450MX Eli Tomac
1 250MX Jett Lawrence
1E Jett Lawrence
1W Christian Craig
2* Cooper Webb
3* Eli Tomac
5* Ryan Dungey
6* Jeremy Martin
7* Aaron Plessinger
9* Adam Cianciarulo
10* Justin Brayton
11* Kyle Chisholm
12* Shane McElrath
14* Dylan Ferrandis
15* Dean Wilson
16* Zach Osborne
17* Joey Savatgy
18* Jett Lawrence
19* Justin Bogle
20* Broc Tickle
21* Jason Anderson
22* Chad Reed
23* Chase Sexton
24* RJ Hampshire
25* Marvin Musquin
26* Alex Martin
27* Malcolm Stewart
28** Christian Craig
29 Nate Thrasher
30* Jo Shimoda
31 Michael Mosiman
32* Justin Cooper
33 Pierce Brown
34 Maximus Vohland
35 Seth Hammaker
36 Garrett Marchbanks
37 Brandon Hartranft
38 Jalek Swoll
39 Vince Friese
40 Stilez Robertson
41 Derek Kelley
42 Joshua Varize
43 Levi Kitchen
44 Benny Bloss
45* Colt Nichols
46* Justin Hill
47 Fredrik Noren
48 Cameron McAdoo
49 Mitchell Oldenburg
50 Marshal Weltin
51* Justin Barcia
52 Carson Mumford
53 Derek Drake
54 Nicholas Romano
55 Austin Forkner
56 Enzo Lopes
57 Chris Blose
58 Jordon Smith
59 Robbie Wageman
60 Justin Starling
61 Ryan Breece
62 Jace Owen
63 Max Anstie
64 Carson Brown
65 Antonio Cairoli
66 Henry Miller
67 Cullin Park
68 Cade Clason
69 Phil Nicoletti
70 Justin Rodbell
71 Preston Kilroy
72 Matthew LeBlanc
73 John Short
74 Logan Karnow
75 Ryder DiFrancesco
76 Dominique Thury
77 Ryan Surratt
78 Grant Harlan
79 Dylan Walsh
80 Kevin Moranz
81 Ty Masterpool
82 Josh Gilbert
83 Cole Thompson
84 Mitchell Harrison
85 Dilan Schwartz
86 Josiah Natzke
87 Chris Canning
88 Guillem Farres
89 Kaeden Amerine
90 Tristan Lane
91 Jeremy Hand
92 Jarrett Frye
93 Jerry Robin
94* Ken Roczen
95 Lance Kobusch
96* Hunter Lawrence
97 Devin Harriman
98 Geran Stapleton
99 Hardy Munoz

Click here for more Supercross racing news.