2020 NATIONAL PREP AT GLEN HELEN: COOPER WEBB, CHASE SEXTON, DEAN WILSON & MORE FACTORY RIDERS

Cooper Webb (2) was at Glen Helen on Thursday with Carlos Rivera, Ian Harrison, Frankie Latham and Roger DeCoster.

Photos by Trevor Nelson

Despite Glen Helen not being in the 2020 AMA National Motocross schedule, there was no mistake that today’s turnout suggests that it is the place where the factory riders go to get ready for the Nationals. Fresh off of the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross season and the long 7-race stint in Salt Lake City, Utah, Pro riders from all over the US are in SoCal testing their Outdoor suspension settings with their teams and putting down laps to break in outdoor bikes and shaking off motocross cobwebs. The MXA Wrecking Crew are Glen Helen regulars, if it’s Tuesady, Thursday or Saturday you can bet an orange MXA helmet is circulating the track testing the latest and greatest for our magazine, website and YouTube channel.

Every year we look forward to and cringe at the mention of the infamous “Thursday after Supercross.” The Thursday after Supercross is always the most Pro-packed day of the year. It is cool to see and fun to take photos of, but not great for anyone slower than an AMA pro rider because if you can’t keep up the pace you will be constantly  passed and roosted) by guys like Cooper Webb, Chase Sexton, Shane McElrath or Dean Wilson. MXA’s contributor Trevor Nelson (@trevornelsonofficial on instagram) was there to capture shots of the top guys, enjoy!

Dean Wilson was on the gas today in some cool new O’Neal gear.

The track was rough and rutted today. The Pros loved it, but the local vet riders were struggling.

Chase Sexton on his new HRC Honda 450. He will be racing the 450 Nationals in 2020 and full time in Supercross and motocross in 2021 as Ken Roczen’s teammate.

Michael Mosiman, younger brother of MXA’s Assistant Editor Josh Mosiman lives in Florida and trains with Aldon Baker at the Baker’s Factory. He’s in California for the week testing on outdoor s ettings with the Rockstar Husky team. 

Broc Tickle did awesome at the Supercross season finale when he finished 6th. He was also looking wicked fast today.

The Red Bull KTM team brought out multiple mechanics, two vans and Roger Decoster even showed up for Cooper Webb and KTM test rider Ryan Morais today. Cooper was also out at Glen Helen testing on outdoors on the Thursday before Salt Lake City Supercross started up.

Ryan Villopoto has been riding a lot lately and is helping out the Monster Energy Yamaha factory team develop their bikes for Aaron Plessinger and Justin Barcia. Ryan was going fast today and he was giving all of the top Pros a run for their money.

Chase Sexton was testing with the HRC team today, but he will most likely be headed back to Florida after this week to continue preparing for the Outdoors to start.

Shane McElrath and his mechanic talk between sessions. 

Up close with Rockstar Husqvarna rider Michael Mosiman. Michael earned his first overall podium finish at the Thunder Valley National in 2019 and he landed on the podium for single moto results multiple times. 

Brandon Hartranft getting ready for his first Outdoor season on the TLD KTM 250SXF.

Cameron McAdoo is getting ready for his first outdoor season Pro Circuit Kawasaki. Mitch Payton came out to watch him ride.

Shane McElrath was doing laps with his teammate Justin Cooper on Thursday.

Dean Wilson standing through the exit of a 90-degree corner.

Chase Sexton was looking very red today.

Michael Mosiman dealing with some of the ruts today. 

Justin Cooper digging into a Glen Helen berm.

Max Anstie made the move back to America from the MXGP series, but you might not recognize him with the new bike, gear and number. He missed the Supercross series due to injuries, but if he can stay healthy through the 2020 Nationla Motocross season he might do some damage.

Christian Craig was riding a 450 today.

Martin Castelo is looking for a fill-in ride for the Nationals. He rode for JMC Husqvarna in the Supercross series, but they don’t race the Nationals. He said he’s training like he will race and is hoping an opportunity comes his way.

Derek Drake on the charge.

Mitchell Falk is also looking for support for the outdoors. He was with the BWR Honda team in Supercross, but they don’t have plans to race the full AMA National series.

Christian Craig was bright and colorful. 

Shane McElrath navigating some ruts in the lip. 

Brandon Hartranft is one of the bigger riders in the 250 class.

Shane McElrath and roost flying.