While many Monster Energy AMA Supercross challengers are returning to the playground, some will wear new colors, others will enter the arena for the first time, with all setting their sights on victory.
Defending champion Eli Tomac will have the No. 1 plate on his Star Racing Yamaha YZ450F as he campaigns with a Supercross-only contract. With two titles under his belt, Tomac will gun for a third when the gate drops at round one of the 17-race series Jan. 7 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.
Last year, the 450 class veteran earned seven wins, allowing him to tie Chad Reed for fourth on the all-time win list at 44. He has the chance to move as high as second on the list this coming season, with Ricky Carmichael sitting in third with 48 wins and James Stewart holding down second with 50 wins.
Tomac is joined on the Star Racing Yamaha team by 2021 Pro Motocross champion Dylan Ferrandis, who will ride the No. 14 bike and Justin Cooper on the No. 32 entry. Cooper is one of several rookies in the 450 class this year, as the 25-year-old completes his move from the 250cc division.
A second premier class rookie has found a home under the Honda HRC awning. Colt Nichols — a one-time 250 class champion — will make his debut on the No. 45 bike alongside Chase Sexton, who will contend for a third year in the 450s aboard his No. 23 steed.
A significant amount of controversy arose during the offseason when it was announced that Ken Roczen would not return to Honda HRC after six years due to his decision to race in the FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX).
As of Dec. 7, Roczen signed a deal with H.E.P. Motorsports and will climb aboard the No. 94 Suzuki RM-Z450 for the 2023 Supercross season.
The WSX SX2 champion, Shane McElrath, has also recently found a home with H.E.P. Motorsports. He replaced Suzuki rider Brandon Hartranft, who suffered severe injuries at a test track in early December. Veteran rider Kyle Chisholm, new addition Marshal Weltin and fan-favorite Adam Enticknap will complete the team.
Monster Energy Kawasaki enters the season in full force with returning riders Jason Anderson and Adam Cianciarulo. Anderson won seven races and finished second in points on his No. 21 steed last season — nine points behind Tomac. He continues to chase a second 450 championship.
Meanwhile, Cianciarulo is returning from a knee injury that he sustained earlier this year in Supercross competition. Despite the time spent on the sidelines, he has secured a contract with Kawasaki through 2024 and is hoping to be a top contender aboard the No. 9 KX450SR.
Malcolm Stewart, who finished third in last year’s Supercross standings, will spearhead the efforts of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, handling the No. 27 machine. Stewart enjoyed a career-best season with 13 top-five finishes and looks to build upon that success.
His teammate is “rookie” Christian Craig, though Craig is not entirely new to the 450 class. The 31-year-old has spent a majority of his professional career competing in the 250 division, but jumped on a 450 for several races through 2017-’18. Riding the No. 28 FC 450, it will be Craig’s first full year in the premier class.
It’s all familiar faces on the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing squad, with two-time champion Cooper Webb, “country boy” Aaron Plessinger and Supercross-only rider Marvin Musquin all returning to the fold.
Webb was unable to secure a victory last year, but after taking the summer off from racing motocross, the No. 2 rider admitted he is rejuvenated to be back in the fight.
As the season begins, Plessinger looks to push his No. 7 closer to victory, while Musquin and his No. 25 steed will remain in the hunt for their first 450 class Supercross championship.
The ever-formidable Justin “Bam Bam” Barcia will again represent the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GasGas team. He will be the lone 450 rider for GasGas on his No. 51 bike.
Scotland native Dean Wilson has departed from Rockstar Husqvarna and has signed with Fire Power Parts Honda Racing, Honda Genuine. He will keep his No. 15 plate.
Several more privateer teams and fresh faces are set to make a showing in the upcoming season. However, the key championship players are expected to be Tomac, Anderson and Sexton as they begin their new campaigns with lingering momentum from 2022.