MXA’S WEEKEND NEWS ROUND-UP: TO THOSE WHO MAKE IT THROUGH 17 EVENTS, WE SALUTE YOU

• TO THOSE WHO MAKE IT THROUGH 17 EVENTS, WE SALUTE YOU

Zach Osborne.

Let’s face it, the new Supercross-in-residence format has not been kind to the riders. Racing at three tracks in one week means dried-out dirt, worn-out whoops, choppy jump faces, high-speeds and lots of crashes. And with the crashes come injuries. The recent two-week break has helped some of those injured riders heal up, but healing up was always inevitable, but for riders who missed races it translates into another year of hoping to do good in the Supercross series down the drain.

Adam Cianciarulo.

Chase Sexton.

Jeremy Martin.

R.J. Hampshire.

Jordon Smith.

Marvin Musquin.

Michael Mosiman.

Austin Forkner.

There were at least 32 riders who had to skip races to recover from an injury—and some title contenders who saw their Supercross seasons go out the window. Here is a quick list of some, but not all, of the injured riders who missed races thus far in 2021: Adam Cianciarulo, Austin Forkner, Chase Sexton, Marvin Musquin, Zach Osborne, Alex Martin, Dean Wilson, Jeremy Martin, Justin Brayton, Shane McElrath, R.J. Hampshire, Benny Bloss, Grant Harlan, Austin Politelli, Pierce Brown, Sean Cantrell, Joey Crown, Jess Pettis, Bryson Gardner, Mason Gonzalez, Jason Anderson, Mitchell Harrison, Adam Enticknap, Jordon Smith, Stilez Robertson, Fredric Noren, Broc Tickle, Max Anstie, Brandon Hartrnaft, Michael Mosiman, Dillan Schwartz and Max Vohland.

You have to wonder what Feld Motorsports would do if 32 of their employees were injured on the job—maybe slow down the speeds, cut down on the endless rhythm sections, disc and water the tracks, embrace longer laps times and care more.

• 2021 MXA 450 SHOOTOUT: TIME FOR THE LONGEST AND MOST DETAILED SHOOTOUT EVER

• 2021 FIM WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS ON MAY 23..OH NO! IT DOESN’T

Due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, the just release and heavily revised 2021 MXGP motocross schedule looks nothing like it did one week ago. Here is a quick list of the changes:
(1) The 2021 MXGP season will not start in Oss, Holland on May 23, but instead at Orlyonok, Russia, on June 13.
(2) A week ago England was not on the 2021 Grand Prix schedule, this week they are suddenly the second GP of year at Matterley Basin on June 27.
(3) Also not on last week’s MXGP schedule was Maggiroa, Italy, but it is now scheduled to happen on July 4.
(4) Latvia, Holland, Czech Republic, Belgium, Sweden, Finland and Turkey were on the original schedule and are still on the new schedule.
(5) Missing from the new schedule is the Russian GP at Igora Drive, on August 29. The second Russian GP has been removed from the calendar.
(6) Sardinia was not on last week’s schedule, but they will hold GP #11 at the Rio Sardo track.
(7) Germany kept its October 3 date from last year, but the French GP on October 10, which was supposed to be held at St. Jean d’Angeley, is now looking for a new French track to take that date.
(8) Spain, Portugal and Trentino held their spots and dates on both race schedules.
(9) China was on the original 2021 schedule (and on the 2020 and 2019 schedules), but just like in the past, they have been dropped again.
(10) Originally the last three races on the 2021 MXGP season were a second Italian Grand Prix, followed by China and the season finale in Argentina. On the new schedule the final three races are Argentina on November 14 (at a track yet to be named) and two Indonesia GPs (although one of them is called the Grand Prix of Asia to disquise that it’s in Indonesia). The other Indonesian race and the season finale will be in Bali on December 5. It is highly likely that any European venue would be frozen or under a foot of snow in December of 2021, so the warm weather in Indonesia does serve a purpose on the 2021 calendar.
(11) The 2021 Motocross des Nations will be held on Sept. 26 In Mantova, Italy (after Sardinia, but before Germany).

REVISED 2021 FIM GRAND PRIX SCHEDULE
Jun. 13…Orlyonok, Russia
June 27…Matterley Basin, England
Jul. 4…Maggiora, Italy
Jul. 11…Kegums, Latvia
Jul. 18…Oss, Holland
Jul. 25…Locket, Czech Republic
Aug. 1…Lommel, Belgium
Aug 15…Uddevall, Sweden
Aug. 22…KimiRing, Finland
Sep. 5…Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
Sep. 19…Rio Sardo, Sardinia
Oct. 3…Teutschenthal, Germany
Oct. 10…TBA, France
Oct. 17…Intu Xanadu, Spain
Oct. 24…Agueda, Portugal
Oct. 31…Trentino, Italy
Nov. 14…TBA, Argentina
Nov. 28…Borobudur, Java
Dec. 5… Bali, Indonesia

• THIS WEEK IN MXA WITH JOSH MOSIMAN: THE WORLD TWO-STROKE EDITION

 

• WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP OPEN TO PEE-WEES AND 65 BEGINNERS & FIRST-TIMERS

Glen Helen Raceway will be giving 50cc/65cc Beginners and First-Time racers a unique experience at this year’s Wiseco World Two-Strokes Championships hosted by Fasthouse on Saturday, April 3. The Glen Helen Pee-Wee track will be redesigned, lengthen and made perfect to give all of the up-and-coming riders a fun racing experience. This two-moto 50cc/65cc race will begin at the REM track’s starting gate with all finishers receiving trophies and prizes. 65cc riders who are at higher skill levels wil lrace on themain track. The Two-Stroke event is fun for everyone, so come out and bring your entire family! For more info go to www.glenhelen.com

• MXA MOTO CHALLENGE QUIZ: WE WERE ALL YOUNG ONCE

Can you name this man? There are many who say he is not only the smartest man in the sport, but the most powerful. Answer at the bottom of the page.

• THE APRIL MXA IS HERE: INSIDE IS THE BUELL 450 GRIFFON, MXA 450 SHOOTOUT & THE BETA MOTOCROSS TWO-STROKE

What’s in the newest issue of MXA? How about a thorough 20-page 450 Shootout with all seven 2021 450s, plus there accurate weights, prices and dyno charts. We also test the 2021 Beta 300RX motocross-specific two-stroke and the 2021 Gas Gas MC 250F. We take our 2021 Kawasaki KX450X to the Lake Havasu WORCS and ride Mike Alessi’s Yamaha YZ134.

And those are just the bike tests! We also have an in depth interview with Dave Osterman about hopscotching though almost every team on the AMA Pro circuit and a Classic Iron on the Rickman Bultaco and how 24 of the 95 Rickman Bultacos made ended up being black marketed to America by Bud Ekins.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO MXA SO THAT YOU NEVER MISS ANOTHER ISSUE, PLUS GET A $25 ROCKY MOUNTAIN GIFT CARD TO COVER YOUR COSTS

If you subscribe to MXA you can get the mag on your iPhone, iPad, Kindle or Android by going to the Apple Store, Amazon or Google Play or in a digital version. Even better you can subscribe to Motocross Action and get the awesome print edition delivered to your house by a uniformed employee of the U.S. Government. Did we mention the $25 gift card for any part you want from Rocky Mountain ATV/MX? You can call (800) 767-0345 or Click Here (or on the box at the bottom of this page) to subscribe.

• PURSE MONEY FOR SATURDAY’S 2021 WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Northern California’s Dare Demartile finished second to Mike Alessi last year, and with Alessi out with a broken wrist, Dare is such a favorite that Beta paid him $5000 to race a Beta 300 RX on Saturday.

OPEN PRO CLASS
1st..$2700
2nd…$1200
3rd…$1100
4th…$800
5th…$600
6th…$500
7th…$400
8th…$300
9th…$200
10th…$200
TOTAL…$8000

The Pasha 125 Pro class doesn’t have a favorite—anybody can take the money if they can win the 70 mph drag race to the Talladega first turn.

PASHA 125 PRO CLASS
1st…$3000
2nd…$2000
3rd…$1000
4th…$200
5th…$100
TOTAL…$6300

Kurt Nicoll, albeit in his mid-50s, has to be the odds-on favorite to win the Over-30 125 Pro class, given that he finished second behind Mike Alessi last year.

PASHA 125 OVER-30 PRO CLASS
1st $1000
2nd $600
3rd $400
4th $200
5th $100
TOTAL…$2300

The Pasha Over-50  125 Pro class was won by Pete Murray in 2020, but Doug Dubach (15) and Kurt Nicoll plan to take it away from him in 2021.

PASHA 125 OVER-50 PRO CLASS
1st $1000
2nd $600
3rd $400
4th $200
5th $100
TOTAL…$2300

PIETRONICO ROOFING HOLESHOT AWARDS & SUPER JOCK HOLESHOT PRO AWARDS
$125… (per moto in all two-stroke Pro classes)
For more info go to www.glenhelen.com

• WHO’S WHO IN THE SUPERCROSS ZOO? AFTER THE FIRST 12 RACES

Cooper Webb won Arlington 1 , 2 and 3  and now has a 15 points over Ken Roczen and 41 on Eli Tomac.  Webb has won 6 of the 12 race so far in 2021.

2021 AMA 450 SUPERCROSS POINTS STANDINGS
(After 12 of 17 races)
1. Cooper Webb (KTM)…275
2. Ken Roczen (Hon)…260
3. Eli Tomac (Kaw)…234
4. Justin Barcia (Gas)…214
5. Aaron Plessinger (Yam)…183
6. Malcolm Stewart (Yam)…179
7. Jason Anderson (Hus)…171
8. Dylan Ferrandis (Yam)…153
9.Joey Savatgy (KTM)…138
10. Marvin Musquin (KTM)…136

Hunter Lawrence won last week, wore the Red Plate as the points leader, butend up losing first place in the points and dropped back to third in the 250 West stadings, but only by 6 points.

2021 AMA 250 WEST SUPERCROSS POINTS STANDINGS
(After 4 of 9 races)
1. Justin Cooper (Yam)…108
2. Cameron McAdoo (Kaw)…106
3. Hunter Lawrence (Hon)…102
4. Jalek Swoll (Hus)…93
5. Garrett Marchbanks (Yam)…93
6. Seth Hammaker (Kaw)…88
7. Chris Blose (Gas)…68
8. Kyle Peters (Hon)…63
9. Coty Schock (Hon)…57
10. Nate Thrasher (Yam)…56

Colt Nichols leads the 250 East by 8 points over teammate Christian Craig. The 250 East doesn’t race again until April 24 in Salt Lake City.

2021 AMA 250 EAST SUPERCROSS POINTS STANDINGS
(After 7 of 9 races)
1. Colt Nichols (Yam)…166
2. Christian Craig (Yam)…158
3. Jo Shimoda (Kaw)…138
4. Jett Lawrence (Hon)…128
5. Josh Osby (Hon)…103
6. Michael Mosiman (Gas)…97
7. Mitchell Oldenburg (Hon)…91
8. Josh Varize (KTM)…81
9. Thomas Do (KTM)…74
10. Grant Harlan (Hon)…71

• 2021 AMA SUPERCROSS WINNERS AT A GLANCE

Cooper Webb, here with mechanic Carlos Rivera, has been amazing so far. He never gives up, keeps charging and has won 6 of the 12 races so far

Venue                                                                       450                                    250
Jan. 16 (Sat)…Houston, TX…………….Justin Barcia…………….Christian Craig
Jan. 19 (Tues)….Houston, TX………….Eli Tomac………………….Jett Lawrence
Jan. 23 (Sat)…Houston, TX…………….Cooper Webb…………..Colt Nichols
Jan. 30 (Sat)…Indianapolis, IN……….Ken Roczen………………Colt Nichols
Feb. 2 (Tues)….Indianapolis, IN……..Ken Roczen………………Colt Nichols
Feb. 6 (Sat)…Indianapolis, IN…………Ken Roczen………………Christian Craig
Feb. 13 (Sat)…Orlando, FL……………..Cooper Webb………….Jett Lawrence
Feb. 20 (Sat)…Orlando, FL……………..Cooper Webb………….Justin Cooper
Mar. 6 (Sat)…Daytona Beach, FL…..Eli Tomac…………………..Cameron McAdoo
Mar. 13 (Sat)…Arlington, TX………….Cooper Webb…………..Seth Hammaker
Mar. 16 (Tues)… Arlington, TX……….Cooper Webb…………..Hunter Lawrence
Mar. 20 (Sat)…Arlington, TX………….Cooper Webb…………..Justin Cooper
Mar. 27 (Sat)…No race
Apr. 3 (Sat)…No race
Apr. 10 (Sat)…Atlanta, GA……………….
Apr. 13 (Tues)…Atlanta, GA…………….
Apr. 17 (Sat)…Atlanta, GA………………
Apr. 24 (Sat)…Salt Lake City, UT…….
May 1 (Sat)…Salt Lake City, UT………
450 points leader…Cooper Webb
250 East points leader…Colt Nichols
250 West points leader…Justin Cooper

• WANNA RACE IN SOCAL? NEED TO RENT A BIKE? FIND A PLACE TO STAY?: JUST CALL STAPO WHEN YOU CAN TRAVEL AGAIN

In his spare time, when he’s not testing with MXA, racing in a foreign country, going to Japan or helping many of his motocross buddies, MXA test rider Dennis Stapleton opens up his house, garage, bikes and mechanics to help riders who would like to come to SoCal on a motocross vacation—and now that the coronavirus pandemic is waning in the USA and the country is opening back up, foreign riders will be able to come to America to race, train and sightee again. You should plan ahead and make your reservations now for this upcoming Summer and Fall. Dennis offers full service to all of the Southern California tracks for racers or for play riders. Whether you want to rent a bike, move in for a week, race at Glen Helen or take motocross lessons—this is one-stop shopping. Just send them an email (Stapoknobbyshop@gmail.com). If you’d like to live the SoCal lifestyle for a day, a weekend, a week, a month or three months, visit Dennis Stapleton’s’ website at www.knobbyshopsouth.org for more details!

• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: PRO CIRCUIT CRF ALUMINUM THROTTLE TUBES

Pro Circuit press release: Recently released for new CRF models, the Pro Circuit Throttle Tube for 2018-2021 CRF250R/X and 2019-2021 CRF450R models is CNC-machined from aircraft quality aluminum and is much stronger than the OEM plastic material. Pro Circuit also added a Teflon coating which will help to ensure a smoother twist of the throttle. Slide a Pro Circuit throttle tube on your new CRF model and twist the throttle with ease during your next ride at the track. Retail price $59.95. For more information go to www.procircuit.com

• MXA FIRST RIDE VIDEO: 2021-1/2 KTM 450SXF FACTORY EDITION

• MXA YOUTUBE CHANNEL | HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON

The MXA wrecking crew is everything moto related. Check out our MXA YouTube channel for bike reviews, Supercross coverage, rider interviews and much more. And don’t forget to hit that subscribe button.

• MXA’S FIRST RIDE ON THE 2021 HONDA CRF450 WORKS EDITION

• MXA AD OF THE WEEK: THE BEST PRODUCTION REAR SUSPENSION EVER?

Do you remember the 1981 Suzuki Full Floater rear suspension? We give absolutely no credit to the 1982 Suzuki’s rear shock, and all the glory to the Don Richardson-designed system that I didn’t transfer any load into the bike’s frame. The shock linage was attached to the swingarm at one end and, believe it or not, attached to the same swingram at the other end. The shock never touched the frame or swingarm. It simply floated in the middle.

• INSIDE CHASE SEXTON’S FACTORY HONDA CRF450

• MXA TEAM TESTED: 97-PIECE BOXO MOTOBOX TOOLBOX SET

WHAT IS IT? The Boxo MotoBox toolbox is the first complete toolbox specifically tailored to moto needs. The 97-piece set comes complete with many of the tools you’ll need for just about any dirt bike brand. Plus, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty. We were immediately skeptical about the Boxo MotoBox toolbox. Why? We weren’t familiar with the brand, and no tool company has ever made a moto-specific toolset that was high quality. We have to admit that we were impressed by the laser-cut foam tool cutouts and etched size markings, but looks are one thing. What mattered most was if the tools were worth the money and if the 97-piece set had everything we needed on race day.

The MXA wrecking crew’s tools have been collected over the years. One toolset never covered every tool that the “Big Seven” brands required. We’ve all had to go shopping for Torx wrenches, a 13mm open-end and 32mm socket for the rear axle. The real question was, could Boxo live up to its claim of having everything a motocross racer would need in its MotoBox? Just about.

The three-drawer toolbox is made from heavy-duty 20-gauge steel. It features ball-bearing drawer sliders and a smooth latch locker drawer system that retails for $160 if you want to buy it without the tools.  The set comes with 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch ratchets and a 1/2-inch breaker bar. There are 24 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch metric drive sockets (with nine extensions and adapters) from size 4 to 32. For KTM riders, Torx sockets from T15 to T55 are included with a set of hex sockets as well. Boxo didn’t forget the T-handles, but these aren’t your normal T-handles; they are slide T-handles that you put together with the included extensions and sockets, which saves lots of room. There are 17 open-end metric wrenches from sizes 6 to 27. With those come a 7-piece foldable hex key wrench, three pliers and six screwdrivers. The loose tools consist of a hammer, scissors, digital tire gauge, safety-wire pliers, spoke wrench, axle step-down tool and two tire spoons (that have box-end 32mm and 10mm wrenches on their ends and include 17mm and 27mm inserts.

We may have expected Boxo to include every tool on our must-have list, but the things that weren’t included were a fork air-pressure gauge for our KTMs and Huskys, a pipe spring puller, valve stem remover, Robertson wrench for the KTM smokers and a spark-plug socket. Additionally, the spoke wrench wasn’t the right size for our KTM, GasGas, and Husky wheels or our Yamaha front wheel. The missing tools weren’t deal-breakers, though, because we already had them. We just took the select tools out of our old, messy, unorganized toolbox and placed them nicely into the Boxo MotoBox. There is a small empty space for personal items in the second drawer, but we wish it were big enough to hold more tools.

Boxo offers many different toolsets in all shapes and sizes with prices ranging from as high $9000 for roll-aways. And, Boxo allows you to completely customize your toolbox. Boxo will even laser-cut the foam to your custom order.WHAT’S IT COST? $750.00 (white or black) — www.boxousa.com or your local dealer.

MXA RATING: Boxo MotoBox tools are a steal for the price, and with a lifetime warranty, you can breathe easy. This is the most durable, most organized and most complete moto toolbox that has ever been put on the market, hands down. It is on the expensive side, but you’ll never have to go to Harbor Freight again.

• 2021 AMA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS ON MAY 29