See what went down at round one of the SuperMotocross World Championship as we scoured the pits to find the coolest things you might not’ve seen on TV. Scroll through and enjoy.
Cooper Webb’s new Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha YZ450F. Photos: Brown Dog Wilson
Arguably the biggest news from SMX was Cooper Webb’s return to the Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha team. This was a heavy rumor that finally became official just a few hours before Webb hit the track for Friday’s free practice session. He’s on a new two year deal with an option for a third.
Webb will be the third 450 rider for Star in 2024 alongside Eli Tomac and Justin Cooper. Dylan Ferrandis [14] is not likely to return the team.Coop is back on blue.Which makes Plessinger the lone 450 rider at KTM. At least for now…Ken Roczen’s Suzuki RM-Z450. The yellow, black, and white is giving us RCH vibes.
Kickstart Kenny returned to racing in Charlotte. The German rider only rode one outdoor national this summer (High Point) but says he’s stayed up to date by watching every round and training non-stop.
Stock clamps with Showa forks.Fly Racing is a team sponsor for the HEP Progressive Ecstar Suzuki effort.Roczen rocking new Fox gear and their new V3 RS helmet which will be available in October.Adam Cianciarulo also sporting a new Fox kit with the V3 RS lid.All good things must come to an end. Jett’s perfect streak ended in 450 race one but he’s still second in points.Check out the seat cover on Jason Anderson’s Kawasaki. Looks like the top ribs go all the way down for added leg grip.Another look. Can’t say we’ve seen this before!Shane Mcelrath’s Yamaha is almost completely stock. Goes to show how good the bikes are these days.Cool to see Rick Ware Racing bringing Mobil 1 to motocross. Mcelrath went 17-17 for 17th.Sexton is back on his trusted Supercross setup and looks comfortable.Childhood rivalry.Take your pick.Tom Vialle and Jason Anderson have been rocking a new Airoh helmet as of late.Justin Cooper will finish the SMX on a 250 before going full-time 450 in 2024.Levi Kitchen nearly won race one. He struggled with a sickness all weekend and couldn’t keep food down which resulted in an 11th in race two.Haiden Deegan was pumped to win the first race of the night. How do you like the new leader lights under the triple clamps?Nice seeing Dean Wilson back at the races. He went 22-16 for 19th.Love it or hate it, that’s some serious skill.Both of the Hill brothers qualified for SMX under the Team Tedder tent. Josh is racing on the 2023 Yamaha YZ450F likely due to his ties with CDR Yamaha team for World Supercross.While Justin is on a Kawasaki. Notice the Bud Racing logos as Justin rode for the Bud Racing Kawasaki team in World Supercross.Kevin Moranz is now riding Honda’s in the States after signing to the NILS Honda team for World Supercross.Ty Masterpool isn’t known to be a Supercross specialist but he led early in 450 race two. Do you think he should be on a factory team in ’24?Tough day for RJ Hampshire as crashes put him outside the top 10 in both motos.Colt Nichols signed to Rick Ware Racing for WSX and rode a Kawasaki at SMX with help from the Madd Parts Kawasaki team.Chris Blose is racing SMX with Phoenix Racing Honda. He’s the only rider not in their full team kit as Blose is in Bell helmets, Scott goggles, Fox gear, and Fox boots.Coty Shock and the rest of the team wear this 6D, FMF, Moose, and Alpinestars combo.Grandstands on either side made great viewing of the dragstrip.See you in Chicago!
