#WHIPITWEDNESDAY

Rider: Blake Baggett

Another rider who was a distinguished amateur and professional motocross champion is Blake Baggett, who was undoubtedly one of the toughest competitors in the motocross series. In his amateur years, Blake won the Loretta Lynn’s National Championship every year for ten years straight, starting with the 50cc class for four to six-year-olds. Although he placed second and third many times, his victories didn’t come until his later years, where he won the Schoolboy Two class and then the 250 A class a year later, leading into his professional rookie season. Securing a ride with Rockstar Suzuki in his rookie year, Blake raced in the 250sx East, where he managed to secure one win and multiple top-five finishes. He only raced in three outdoor races that same year due to an injury sustained at Budds Creek. The following year presented an opportunity to ride for Pro Circuit Kawasaki, marking the beginning of a flourishing career. With multiple wins in the 2011 motocross series, he narrowly missed the championship, finishing behind series winner Dean Wilson and Tyla Rattray, both of whom were his teammates. In 2012, he clinched the pro motocross series title, noted for his incredible come-from-behind wins, particularly in the second motos, where he showcased remarkable speed late in the races. Upon moving up to the 450 class, he continued to exhibit a hard-charging nature in the motocross series. He led in points multiple times, notably in 2017, when he appeared poised to win the championship again. However, a crash resulted in torn ligaments in his thumb. Despite continuing to race with the injury, he eventually fell to third in points, behind Marvin Musquin and series winner Eli Tomac. Throughout his career, Blake didn’t finish every series but managed to line up at the gate at least once every year he was a professional. He battled through injuries and was, by far, one of the toughest riders on the track. Following a bit of controversy with his team in his final season, Blake decided to retire and focus on his son, Braeker, who is now winning in the pee-wee classes. Recently, we saw Blake return to the track after three years of not riding.

HEADED BACK EAST

After a break for the East riders and a pause in racing last weekend, we head to Foxborough for a continuation of the 250 East Coast series. We left off with Cameron McAdoo holding a two-point lead over KTM’s Tom Vialle, and an eleven-point lead over the third-place rider, Pierce Brown. Haiden Deegan has faced some challenges early in the season and currently sits in fourth, sixteen points behind McAdoo. Although he may not have the most wins this season, Cameron McAdoo has been the most consistent thus far. It’s shaping up to be a promising year for him, especially after being plagued with horrendous crashes and injuries the previous year. Remember, Austin Forkner was looking to have a great season after winning the first round, but a crash in Arlington sidelined him for the season. This incident has opened the door for McAdoo, but the rest of the season won’t be easy, as many riders are eager to secure wins before the season’s close.

450 CHAMPIONSHIP GETTING TIGHT

Before the weekend off, the twelfth round of the Supercross series featured a triple crown event in St. Louis, where Jett Lawrence, who had a significant points lead heading in, encountered some misfortune. He won the second of three main events but was docked two positions for jumping on a Red Cross flag (which controversial or not, it is a safety issue and the rules must be enforced). The controversy centered around where the flag was being held, but of the first five guys over the line, Eli Tomac saw it and did not jump. People demanded that the AMA wave the Red Cross flag  in the future, but if they wave the all white flag with a red cross on it, there would be a good chance that the riders not see the red part and just mistake it for the white flag , The fans wanted the flg to be moved to the other sid eof the finish line jump so it would be more visible, but that would make the riders go to the right side of the jump, where it was likely that the trouble was—although it had been moved off the track.

In the third and final main event, Justin Barcia, defending the inside line from Vince Friese and carrying excessive speed, collided with Lawrence as he cut down off the berm early to pass his brother, Hunter, causing Jett to fall hard. Visibly shaken, Jett remounted but finished near the back, placing him eighth overall for the night. This incident benefitted Star Racing Yamaha’s Cooper Webb, who finished second and closed the gap from 16 points going into St. Louis to 8 point leaving St. Louis.

RIDING A TWO-STROKE BANNED FROM THE USA

MXA PHOTO TRIVIA

Who is this rider? Answer at the bottom of the article. 

PRO CIRCUIT KAWASAKI IS MORE DOMINANT THAN YOU THINK

WEEKLY PRIZES IN THE SUPERCROSS MXA FANTASY LEAGUE

Even though the season has started, you can still join for an opportunity to win weekly prizes!

Android app download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mxa.fantasyleague&pcampaignid=web_share

Dive into an unparalleled Supercross Fantasy experience with MXA’s cutting-edge app, meticulously crafted to deliver all the action directly to your fingertips. Our sophisticated, seamless, and completely free platform allows you to engage in intense competitions, even if you join mid-season. With opportunities to win prizes every weekend based on the most points gained from each race, you’re never out of the running. The season is already in full swing, but you can still challenge your friends, create groups, and immerse yourself in the competition by joining private parties. Enter at any point in the 2024 Supercross series, and stay tuned for our 2024 AMA Motocross Fantasy game. If you’re using Apple click here and if you’re on Android click here.

REVIVING THE LEGACY: ONE INDUSTRIES MOTOCROSS GEAR

ASK THE MXPERTS: MYSTERIOUS FORK OIL LEAK

MYSTERIOUS FORK-OIL LEAK

Dear MXperts,
I am trying to build an ultra-trick Kawasaki KX250F. I designed all-new Decal Works graphics, bought Luxon triple clamps, and used all the leftover titanium bolts that would fit from my old Honda CRF250. But, the first time I rolled it out to ride it, oil started leaking. I’ve seen leaking fork seals but never leaking fork lugs. What do you think this is?

The big clue to diagnosing your bike’s problem was when you said that you “used all the leftover titanium bolts” from your old bike. It is critically important that you always use the exact same length fork guard bolts that came with your bike. If the leftover titanium fork guard bolts were longer than the stock Kawasaki KX250F bolts, then they could extend through the fork lug and hit against the fork tube, denting it. This not only damages the fork leg, but it breaks the glued-and-screwed attachment system. Fork oil can weep out through the dented portion. Do not ride your bike until you have both fork legs checked by a qualified suspension mechanic. You will have to replace the forks legs if you have dented them.

If you’d like to read more articles from the MXPERTS, Click here.

EVS GENISIS KNEE BRACES

The Genesis is an all-new youth-specific knee brace designed to provide younger riders with the same high level of protection as EVS adult knee braces. The Genesis utilizes a rigid yet pliable chassis, then adds the same polycentric hinges as those on the SX Series and the same modular strap system found on our Axis Knee Braces. If you want to shop click here.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: JEREMY MARTIN TO SIT OUT REMAINDER OF THE SEASON

“I am incredibly disappointed to have to make this decision but when it comes to my health and my future, it is the right move. I struggled having to tell the team, but they were completely supportive knowing everything that I have gone through.”

MXA PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Dean Wilson grabbing some TV time with Supercross Live while he rehabilitates his shoulder after breaking his scapula earlier in the season.

CLASSIC MXA PHOTO

Young Brian Deegan looking for the perfect gate at the 1998 Las Vegas Supercross.

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MXA PHOTO TRIVIA ANSWER: The late Brian Swink, who won the 1991 and 1992  AMA 250 East Supercross championships, during his Honda of Troy days in 1996 .