MOTOCROSS ACTION MID-WEEK REPORT

#WHIPITWEDNESDAY

Rider: Jimmy Decotis

Jimmy Decotis was one of those riders who was not an amateur star but made the most of his professional career. When going pro Jimmy went through a few seasons riding for a privateer Honda team which he used to gain experience in motocross and East Coast Supercross. In 2014 he reached a bit of success and began riding for Gieco Honda as a fill-in rider which ultimately turned into a multi-year deal with the team. Being from New England he always had success in the more deep and sandier rounds of motocross and Supercross. He was always known for having a style that was very noticeable on the track. In his final years, he moved over to the JGR Suzuki team where he also had exceptional results. However, he ended up contracting lime disease and would have to step away from the professional scene. He has since kicked the illness and has been seen riding local events recently.

TWO-STROKE SPOTLIGHT: ROBERT REED 2000 KX250 -“FRANKLIN”

“This is the bike I’ve nicknamed “Franklin”. It’s the fourth version of a series of builds I call my “Frankenbikes”. Usually, when I am done with a major project I am left with some good parts. I combine those with deals I see on eBay to put a working bike together. In the past, I have sold these bikes both to clean out the garage and to make a little money for the next project. Franklin started out as a very rough 2000 KX250 frame, subframe, and gas tank. I added 2004 KX250F clamps and a set of 2008 YZ250F SSS Forks that were re-valved by Brian at N2 Dirt Suspension. The front brake is a 2019 KX450F, and the wheels are 2016 KX250F with Gold Excel rims. In the rear, the bike mounts a 2003 KX250 swingarm, that was extensively repaired by Doug Haas, with the original 2000 linkage and a 2001 KX250 shock that was modified and revalved by N2 Dirt Suspension. The rear brake is from a 2016 KX250F. The motor came from a 2004 KX250 and was upgraded with porting work and modifications for more compression by Tom Morgan Racing. Finally, to update the look I went with a plastic conversion kit from TX Race and graphics from Backyard Design. The only problem I have had with this bike is that it turned out too nice, so it looks like I’ll be keeping it.

“The frame, subframe, and tank are from a 2000 KX250, with the frame and subframe powder-coated silver. The engine is from a 2004 KX250, featuring a ported cylinder and increased compression, along with a Wossner rod and piston and a V-Force 3 reed. It also includes an FMF Fatty pipe and Shorty silencer, and a 1997 KX250 ignition and carburetor. All machine work was performed by Tom Morgan Racing, and the assembly was handled by Possum Valley Racing. The triple clamps are from a 2004 KX250F, smoothed and powder-coated semi-gloss black. The front suspension comes from a 2008 YZ250F, re-valved by N2 Dirt Suspension, with a YZ250F axle and custom wheel spacers. The front brake system includes a 2019 KX450F master cylinder and caliper, a Galfer line, a Tusk rotor, and a Ride Engineering YZ250F brake carrier designed for 270 mm brake rotors.

“The rear suspension consists of a 2003 KX250 swingarm, 2000 KX250 linkage, and a 2001 KX250 shock with a modified high and low-speed compression adjuster and re-valve by N2 Dirt Suspension. The rear brake system includes components from a 2016 KX250F, a TM Designworks rear brake carrier, a Galfer line, and a master cylinder mounting bracket by Nub Tools. The plastic and graphics are from a 2019 KX450 plastic conversion kit by TX Race, with graphics designed by Backyard Design. The wheels are from a 2016 KX250F, featuring Excel Gold Rims, polished stock spokes, and stock hubs cerakoted clear. All-wheel work was completed by Faster USA, and the tires are Dunlop MX33. The controls include Mika Metal bars, ARC levers, ODI grips, IMS footpegs, and ESV rear brake lever, clevis, and shifter.”

DEEGAN BACK ON TOP

Haiden Deegan was able to get the job done once again this weekend grabbing the victory at Washougal. However, it did not come easy as Deegan found himself on the ground in moto one which he has done almost every race this season where he would have to work hard to gain the lost ground back. In moto two he was able to follow Tom Vialle for the first half of the race, ultimately making the pass and checking out. Deegan has a substantial lead in points heading into the final races of the year and potentially could wrap up the championship early.

JASON ANDERSON QUICK IN WASHINGTON

Make no mistake, Jason Anderson has been quick at every round this season but showed a lot of life when he aggressively took the lead early in the second moto. Anderson would go on to lead the majority of the moto before being overtaken by Chase Sexton. Though moving into second spot Anderson was able to secure the spot which put him on the podium for the weekend. Anderson currently sits fifth overall in the points standings this season.

2025 KTM 250SXF TESTED

MXA PHOTO TRIVIA

Who is this rider? The answer is at the bottom of the page.

MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: PRO-VUE PRESCRIPTION GOGGLES AVAILABLE IN 100% FRAMES

Pro-Vue has their prescription lens system available in the new 100% Accuri Gen 2 OTG goggles, and it is the best yet. Available in half a dozen frame colors including this cool neon orange, and about a dozen different lens tints. Contact Pro-Vue at (507) 534-1247 or at www.pro-vue.com

JOIN US FOR THE MXA FANTASY: SIGN UP TODAY FOR THE UNADILLA NATIONAL

We are headed into the Washougal National and with all new prizes, play weekly for a chance to win.

Apple app download: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mxa-fantasy-league/id6473468112

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

Dive into an unparalleled motocross 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

WIN A CUSTOM ENGRAVED NUMBER PLATE KEYCHAIN BY NIHILO CONCEPTS

Nihilo Concepts is holding a giveaway where you have a chance to win a custom engraved number plate key chain. If you’d like to enter for a chance to win click here.

ASK THE MXPERTS: WHY IS GRAND PRIX MATH SO FUZZY?

Jorge Prado is the king of Saturday’s qualifying races. The points that he earned on Saturday earned him the 2023 FIM 450 World Championship.

WHY IS GRAND PRIX MATH SO FUZZY?

Dear MXperts,

After Supercross went bust with all the riders getting injured, I decided to not watch the AMA Nationals and started watching MXGP. I’ve seen a few GPs, but I don’t understand how a rider who doesn’t win a Grand Prix can actually gain points on the rider who did win the GP. I’m speaking specifically about Jorge Prado and Romain Febvre.

The true reason is a mixture of stupidity, greed and revenge by the Luongo-run promoting group. After the 2022 rider-led strike of Saturday qualifying races at the French Grand Prix, when the star riders elected to sit out Saturday qualifying races because the promoters refused to listen to their complaints about dangerous track conditions. After the strike, the MXGP brain trust changed the World Championship point system so that it paid points to the 10 fastest qualifiers in both 250 and 450 qualifying on Saturday. This was designed to stop the riders from refusing to ride the virtually meaningless Saturday Qualifying, but making it more meaningfull. Since Saturday qualifying is a one-moto race for gate pick for Sunday’s GP, and many of the riders don’t think it’s worth the risk when they have already had a timed qualifying session earlier on Saturday that should be good enough for Sunday’s Grand Prix gate pick.

MXGP wanted to force the Grand Prix riders to race Saturday’s qualifiers to help draw a bigger crowd of paying spectators for Saturday’s previously meaningless EMX races. The leverage on the riders was that the MXGP organizers would  pay World Championship points to the top 10 riders in the 250 and 450 Saturday qualifying races. They paid 10 points to first, 9 points to second, 8 points to third and so on down to 1 point for 10th. These points are not added to their race results for Sunday’s Grand Prix, but they are added to the rider’s Grand Prix points standings for the season.

Thus, a rider who won both motos in the Grand Prix of Slowjamistan would earn 50 points (25+25), but if he didn’t score any points in Saturday’s qualifying races, he could lose points in the series standings because a rider who went 2-2 for 44 points in the GP and got the 10-point bonus for winning Saturday’s qualifying race would have 54 points added to his season total.

By the end of the 2023 FIM 450 World Championship, Jorge Prado got 155 extra points for his Saturday Qualifying results (his combined season points were 921 points, while Febvre only had 854 points. 

If you’d like to read more MXEXPERTS posts, click here.

HOW TO CUSTOM MAKE A MOTOCROSS JERSEY FROM SCRATCH

MXA FANTASY LEAGUE: THE WINNER OF THE WASHOUGAL NATIONAL SCORED 300 POINTS

Another great weekend of racing in Washougal Washington as we now head into a two-week break. Chase Sexton was once again dominant this weekend and he was the most predicted pick in the MXA Fantasy League. Aaron Plessinger snagged the second spot after leading the majority of the first moto and grabbing third in moto two. And Jason Anderson rounded off the podium with a third overall.  In the 250 class, Haiden Deegan took the win and he was the rider predicted to do so. Even after two weekends that Deegan was not on top, he has been predicted in the MXA Fanstay League to win every weekend. Let’s take a deeper dive into the picks that won this weekend.

THE WINNER OF THE SPRING CREEK FANTASY LEAGUE  “nickturner_24″

Nickturner_24 had the best predictions for the Washougal National. Let’s see how he accomplished that this past weekend.

250 CLASS PREDICTIONS

In first he chose Haiden Deegan who did take the overall this weekend giving 36 fantasy points including the ten-point bonus. In second he chose Levi Kitchen who would finish sixth on the day giving 17 fantasy points but no bonus. In third, he chose Ty Masterpool who would be out of the top six giving no fantasy points. In fourth he chose Tom Vialle who finished second on the weekend giving 23 fantasy points but no bonus. In fifth Jo Shimoda was chosen and he ended up third giving 21 fantasy points with no bonus and finally in sixth he chose Ryder DiFrancesco who finished fourth on the day giving 19 fantasy points but no bonus.

450 CLASS PREDICTIONS

In first he chose Chase Sexton who was the winner of the race in Washougal giving 36 fantasy points which included the ten-point bonus. In second he chose Aaron Plessinger who finished second overall giving 33 fantasy points including the ten-point bonus. In third, he chose Jason Anderson which again was a correct prediction giving 31 fantasy points including the ten-point bonus. In fourth, he chose Hunter Lawrence which was a correct prediction giving 29 fantasy points including the ten-point bonus. In fifth he chose Justin Cooper who was a correct prediction giving 28 fantasy points including the ten-point bonus. And finally, in sixth he chose Dylan Ferrandis who did in fact finish sixth giving 27 fantasy points including the ten-point bonus. In the 450 class, all the predictions were correct maximizing the available points.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: JUSTIN COOPER SITS THIRD OVERALL IN MOTOCROSS POINTS

“The day started out well. I was third in qualifying and had a really good first moto. I started second and eventually finished third, but rode pretty strong in that whole first moto. In the second moto, I got off to another good start and then crashed on the second or third lap, and just kind of rode it on home from there. It was definitely a hard day and I ran out of steam once I got going again. So yeah, it was a tough day overall but we’ll build and learn from it.”

MXA PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Some of the fans at the Red Bud national just a few weeks ago made a totem pole of Phil Nicoletti’s head. You may not know it, but Phil is actually smiling in this headshot. 

CLASSIC MXA PHOTO

James Stewart riding with style. Check out his butt patch that reads “Bubbalicious”.

MXA PHOTO TRIVIA ANSWER

Jeffrey Stanton AKA Six-Time who is a three-time AMA 250cc Motocross and Supercross champion, winning the titles in 1989, 1990, and 1992.