The Monster Energy AMA Supercross season opener has finally arrived at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.
Here is a look at the key players in the 450cc class, a list of who’s riding for what team and insight into what to expect on race day.
Red Bull KTM
Chase Sexton will defend his Supercross championship aboard the No. 1 Red Bull KTM entry after switching from Team Honda HRC during the offseason.
“We’re where we want to be,” Sexton said during the pre-season press conference in Anaheim on Jan. 5.
Meanwhile, Aaron Plessinger will return to the No. 7 for a third year with KTM. After nearly winning his first Supercross race last season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Ohio cowboy atop the podium at some point this year.
“I think I feel better this year than any 450 year that I’ve had so far,” Plessinger said.
Star Racing Yamaha
Two-time Supercross champion Eli Tomac will be back in the saddle on Saturday, as the Colorado native returns from an Achilles heel injury that ended his season last year. In his latest report, Tomac was feeling “on track” in his recovery.
“My goal was to be on a Supercross track in November and we were able to hit that mark. It’s been pretty smooth sailing since then,” Tomac said during the press conference.
He’ll be aboard the signature No. 3 Star Racing Yamaha machine for a third consecutive year.
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Fellow two-time Supercross titlist Cooper Webb will also be racing out of the Star Racing stable this year. After dealing with a concussion during the last Supercross season, Webb is also anxious to make his comeback on the No. 2 steed.
Expect a collection of victories from the two former champions.
The pair will also be joined by 450SX rookie Justin Cooper on the No. 32 Yamaha.
Team Honda HRC
Despite losing Sexton to KTM, the Honda HRC roster remains stacked.
The team has promoted a pair of hotshot Australian riders who, by now, the entire industry is more than familiar with.
Jett Lawrence, 20, will be making his premier class Supercross debut at Anaheim after earning the AMA Pro Motocross championship in dominant fashion last year during his rookie 450 campaign. He won 22 motos during the outdoor season, but didn’t compete with riders such as Tomac and Webb, as they were sidelined with injuries.
The question is: Will Lawrence’s rookie supremacy translate to Supercross against a stacked class of healthy 450SX veterans?
Meanwhile, his older brother, Hunter, is also on the move from the 250cc class after sweeping both the Supercross and motocross titles in 2023. He’ll be one to watch once he finds his groove.
Monster Energy Kawasaki
After struggling to make noise in 2023, Team Green is anxious to re-enter the conversation this season.
It will do so with the same rider duo — 2018 Supercross champion Jason Anderson and Florida native Adam Cianciarulo.
Anderson won seven main events in 2022, but failed to top the podium last season. Cianciarulo is still in search of his first 450SX win, but ended the Supercross season with a podium finish during the penultimate round.
“Hopefully for me, I’m closer to the front and we don’t have too many problems,” Anderson said.
H.E.P. Motorsports
There will be two teams operating beneath the H.E.P. Motorsports banner, with the Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki segment fielding two-time Pro Motocross champion Ken Roczen.
The German rider won a single race in 2023, bringing his career total to 21. With it being his second year on the No. 94 Suzuki — meaning more comfortability — it’s likely fans will see Roczen in the mix on a weekly basis.
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“We put in a lot of hours to try to get better. I feel the most relaxed I’ve ever felt going into Anaheim,” Roczen said.
On the other hand, the Twisted Tea Suzuki Presented By Progressive Insurance team will be spearheaded by Kyle Chisolm and Shane McElrath. Neither rider has won a 450SX main event.
Liqui Moly Beta Supercross Team
This team is a bit of an underdog due to the fact that it will be Beta’s first year as a manufacturer in Supercross competition. But a fair number of top 10s are certainly within reach.
Originally, Colt Nichols and Benny Bloss were slated to lead Beta’s debut in Supercross. However, Nichols was injured during practice this past week and will be sidelined for the near future. As a result, John Short will fill in for Nichols aboard the No. 199 steed, while Bloss will pilot the No. 67 entry in the 450SX class.
Phoenix Honda Racing
Dylan Ferrandis, the 2021 Pro Motocross champion, is going red this season.
As a prior lead rider for Star Racing Yamaha, Ferrandis switched to Phoenix Honda Racing during the offseason and will guide the No. 14 Honda, starting at Anaheim.
“I have the bike I’ve always wanted to ride with and people I’ve always wanted to work with,” Ferrandis said at Anaheim.
The Frenchman only completed four rounds of Supercross last year before falling to injury, so expect Ferrandis to have a fire beneath him as he commences his fourth season in the premier class.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
Fan-favorite Malcolm Stewart and Christian Craig will lead Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Supercross efforts this season. Both are returning to the Husqvarna roster after experiencing injuries last year.
Stewart nearly won the season-opener at Anaheim last season after leading laps late in the race, but a tumble with three laps to go took the No. 27 rider out of contention. He underwent knee surgery in February after crashing during practice and has been on the road to recovery ever since.
“Last year kind of got taken away from me,” Stewart noted. “If anything, it’s nothing but a point to prove.”
Craig only competed at 11 of 17 rounds in 2023 after suffering various injuries.
Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing
Justin “Bam Bam” Barcia is back for another season with GASGAS.
The No. 51 rider earned six podium finishes in 2023, including a win in New Jersey. However, he injured his collarbone near the end of the season, which kept him on the sidelines for the remainder of the year.
“This year, I’m more open and just trying to see where I’m at,” Barcia said during the press conference.
Should he be 100 percent come Anaheim, don’t count out Barcia being in the hunt for victories and podium finishes.
Also, it’s worth noting that reigning MXGP champion Jorge Prado will be racing the first three rounds of the Supercross season in an effort to test the waters in the American racing scene.