The common theme that emerged among the 13 elite Monster Energy AMA Supercross athletes who gathered for the pre-season press conference Friday afternoon in Anaheim, Calif., was impatience.
Defending champion Eli Tomac was first to alert the media that he was “ready to go” for gate drop. With the No. 1 plate on his Star Racing Yamaha machine, Tomac is preparing to have a target on his back as the field looks to end his title streak. But overall, the veteran 450cc class rider is taking a relaxed approach to what could potentially be his last year in Supercross.
“It’s great to be here and be here healthy. That’s No. 1,” Tomac said. “I’m not going to say right now if I’m going to be done this season or not, but as you get older in general, you start seeing things differently … We’re just going to see where it takes us.”
The last rider to score back-to-back Supercross championships was Ryan Dungey in 2016 and ‘17. Aboard the all-new YZ 450F, Tomac will have the chance to repeat his feat.
Going down the list of past champions, the next name you’ll find is Cooper Webb — he earned the title in 2019 and ’21 with his Red Bull KTM team. After struggling through last season, Webb is looking forward to the opportunity to redeem himself.
“Last year at this point, we thought we were ready and definitely weren’t with the new bike. It was tough,” Webb said. After having another year to fine-tune the bike setup, Webb added, “We’re in a lot better spot.”
The 27-year-old also returned to the Baker’s Factory — Aldon Baker’s renowned training program for Supercross athletes — late last year.
The two previously worked together during both of Webb’s successful championship runs, so the KTM rider is optimistic that it will be a winning formula yet again.
“I know what I felt in 2021, what it takes to win and where a bike needs to be. And we got there, I feel like, within this last month,” Webb said. “Now I’m back just to try to win, that’s really the only reason we’re racing, and I feel like we’re back at that point.”
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson is starting in a similar position as he begins the hunt for his second Supercross championship — he earned his first title in 2018. Like Webb, Anderson believes it’s been too long since he tasted victory.
“I’ve been in this situation enough,” Anderson said. The No. 21 rider put up an impressive fight while battling Tomac for the championship last season, yet walked away with second. He cited “costly mistakes” as the reason for his loss.
“I’m kind of tired of having those things cost me,” Anderson admitted. “Obviously, I guess we’re going to find out if I can avoid those and be up front and keep the same speed.”
With seven wins last season, Anderson has plenty to build on in 2023.
Of the remaining 10 riders who took part in the press conference, many expressed their eagerness to take advantage of the blank slate. Honda HRC’s Colt Nichols mentioned he’s “battling a few demons” as he returns to Anaheim, Star Racing Yamaha’s Dylan Ferrandis has “more expectations” set for his third season in the 450 class and Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger is hoping to “open a lot of people’s eyes.”
On the other hand, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Malcom Stewart just wants to “pick up where I left off” and Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton hopes to build off his strong year in 2022.
Ready or not, when the gate drops on Saturday night, only one will end the night as a winner.