MXA’S WEEKEND NEWS ROUND-UP: ALL THE NEWS FROM THE PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

• WHO’S WHO IN THE SUPERCROSS ZOO? THE CURRENT TOP TEN HEADING TO ORLANDO #2

Eli Tomac is the defending AMA 450 Supercross Champion  and currently sits fourth in points and is 29 points behind Ken Roczen, 16 points adrift for second place Cooper Webb, but 14 points ahead of Kawasaki teammate Adam Cinaciarulo.

2021 AMA 450 SUPERCROSS POINTS STANDINGS
(After 7 of 17 races)
1. Ken Roczen (Hon)… 161
2. Cooper Webb (KTM)… 148
3. Eli Tomac (Kaw)… 132
4. Adam Cianciarulo (Kaw)… 118
5. Justin Barcia (Gas)… 115
6. Marvin Musquin (KTM)… 110
7. Malcolm Stewart (Yam)… 109
8. Zach Osborne (Hus)… 108
9. Aaron Plessinger (Yam)… 99
10. Dylan Ferrandis (Yam)… 97

Orlando 1 was the last 250 East race for the next ten weeks. It returns when the series gets to Salt Lake City on April 24. Jett Lawrence won this round, but is still fourth in 250 East series points

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 doing a mental track walk before the Orlanda Supercross starts. The riders aren’t allowed to walk on the track during the track walk.

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
Mar. 6 (Sat)…Daytona Beach, FL…
Mar. 13 (Sat)…Arlington, TX
Mar. 16 (Tues)… Arlington, TX
Mar. 20 (Sat)…Arlington, TX
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…Ken Roczen
250 East points leader…Colt Nichols
250 West points leader…N/A

• FIRST $6000 2021 PASHA 125 OPEN TWO-STROKE RACE ON FEBRUARY 20 AT GLEN HELEN

The $6000 Pro purse divided by three classes (Open Pro, Over-30 Pro and Over-50 Pro). First place pays $1000, second place $600 and third place $400 in each class. This is a 125-only race (for up to 150cc two-strokes). There are no amateur classes, if you want to race your 125 two-stroke, you have to accept the money when you win even if you are a Novice! For more info go to www.remsatmx.com

• 2021 KTM, HUSQVARNA & GASGAS MOTOCROSS BIKES CALLED IN FOR POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE CHAINS

Owners of 2021 KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas motorcycles may have defective chains on their new bikes. To find out if your bike is affected, KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas owners should check on the “Service” area of their respective brand’s website. Once in the “Service” area, you enter your bike’s VIN number to see if your bike is included in the recall. If your VIN number is not affected, then no other action is required, but if your VIN is on the list of suspect chains, you will be required to go to your local KTM, Husqvarna or GasGas dealer to arrange to have a new chain installed. The replacement of the chain takes approximately 20 minutes. The replacement of the chain can be carried out by authorized GASGAS dealers only. This replacement of the chain is a free-of-charge service for customers performed under warranty.

• 2021 FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES GETS SCRAMBLED: OMAN IS OUT, CHINA IS OUT & 5 RACES DON’T HAVE TRACKS

Jeffrey Herlings should be a ten-time World Champion by now if speed was all that counted, but injuries have limited him to four.

Due to the current situation worldwide in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, the racing calendar will see the FIM Motocross World Championship kickstart later than originally planned, with the first Grand Prix scheduled for the 23rd of May in Oss with the MXGP of the Netherlands. While we had originally planned to begin the year in with the MXGP of Oman on April 3rd, the Omani Grand Prix has been postponed to 2022, while the MXGP of Italy, MXGP of Portugal and the MXGP of Germany will be moved from April/May to October.

Other changes include two new venues that will host the two Indonesian rounds. The MXGP of Asia will head to the picturesque Borobudur on the 4th of July, while the MXGP of Indonesia will take place in Bali on the 11th of July. Furthermore, the MXGP of China has been re-scheduled on November the 7th, with a venue to be announced as well as the MXGP of Argentina set to be held on November the 21st in an exciting new track to be announced.

• HAVE YOU SEEN THE MARCH 2021 ISSUE OF MXA YET? IT’S FULL OF BIKE TESTS & MORE BIKE TESTS

What’s in the newest issue of MXA? How about complete and thorough tests of the 2021 KTM Gas Gas MC450F, 2021 KTM 450XCF Cross-Country, 2021 Yamaha YZ250 two-stroke, 2021 KTM 150SX two-stroke, 2021 Husqvaran FC350, 2021 Cylinder Workd YZ270 big-bore and a retro test of Kevin Windham’s 1997 Factory YZ125. And those are just the bike test! We also have a revealing interview with Steve Stackable, a feature on how MXA won the 24-Hours of Glen Helen endurance race (with the help of Mitch Payton) , flashback about the original Factory Edition—the 1963 Triumph Tiger Cub Scrambler and lots, lots more.

The GasGas MC 450F was the talk of the town this winter. You can call it a “Red KTM” all you want because that doesn’t hurt anyone in Austria’s feelings. Why not? It’s selling like crazy, is the exact same price as a KX450 or YZ450F and just take a look at it—it’s clean, sleek and blessed with all the Austrian traits that the Japanese brands wished they had (222-pound weight, billet steel hydraulic clutch, Brembo brakes, braided steel brake lines interchangeable throttle cams, foolproof air filter cage, CNC-machined hubs and that ultra-broad KTM engine).

Want to have a 125cc bike with the punch of excitement that 125s lack? You are in luck, KTM makes the 2021 KTM 150SX for just one purpose—to get you over that big double that your 125 just can’t clear. Okay, it also gives you a fighting chance to get a good start against 250 four-strokes and makes that lovely sound scares four-stroke riders world-wide.

Not content with the options in the 250 class, MXA teamed up with Cylinder Works and Twisted Development to build a YZ270F that will blow your socks off. We tell you exactly what we did to it.

To tell the truth, we could care less that Yamaha has only made modest changes to the YZ250 two-stroke over the last decade-and-a-half.  It was a great bike back in the day and it’s a great bike today. We don’t care if Yamaha doesn’t make any major changes to the YZ250 for the next five years—we’ll make them ourselves.

It looks like an off-road bike, but apart from the big gas tank, plush suspension and 18-inch rear, this is a KTM 450SXF motocross bike that is willing to lead two lives—one in the woods and one on the track. Think about, you too could own one bike that would allow you to do it all.

Imagine a 350cc bike that revs to 13,400 rpm, handles like its on a slot car track, is low enough for your feet to touch the ground and graced by the new XACT trampoline valve forks.  If you’ve never ridden a Husqvarna FC350, you need to beg a ride on one—it will change your life.

The MXA Wrecking crew goes back in time to take a close look and spin some laps on Kevin Windham’s 1997 factory Yamaha YZ125.

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.

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

• MXA MOTO CHALLENGE QUIZ: WE WERE ALL YOUNG ONCE

Can you name these two old warhorses? Between them they have 15 World Vet Championships in the Over-50, Over-60 and Over-70 Expert classes. Neither one is an American, but they are heroes in their home countries.  Can you name them and their home countries? The answer is at the bottom of this page.

• FLASHBACK! HONDA’S 1983 DEALER SHOW PROMOTIONAL VIDEO

• OLD SCHOOL SCRAMBLES 2021 SEASON OPENER & 2020 AWARDS PRESENTATION

The 2020 Awards presentation will be held in the Glen Helen Museum on Saturday afternoon, while the first TT Scrambles of the 2021 series will be held on Sunday, February 28. For more info go to www.ossrg.org

• MXA’S 2021 HUSQVARNA FC350 FIRST RIDE VIDEO

• PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: KLIM’S NEW EDGE OFF-ROAD GOGGLE

Klim is releasing the all-new Edge Off-Road Goggle, topping off their line of optics with this sleek, fameless design for 2021. The Edge is an exciting addition to Klim’s lineup of dirt bike goggles, loaded with premium features including a huge field of view, great comfort, and magnetic + quick release lens replacement. Klim developed the Edge entirely from the ground up, building on years of feedback and testing while making goggles – both for snowmobile and motorcycle riders.

To achieve maximum field of view, the Edge uses a fameless design where low profile magnets guide the lens into place while a slide lock secures it – this makes the lens area as broad as possible while fitting inside a helmet. Further, the injection-molded lens is almost perfectly optically correct, avoiding distortions found in other lens types. Anti-fog coating, perimeter frame vents and the large internal air volume all combat fogging, which is great for extreme enduro riders and warm, humid conditions. With an ANSI Z87.1 impact safety rating, the anti-scratch Edge lens also stands up to trail debris and roost on the track far better than “sheet” type lenses found in other goggles. The magnetic + slide lock retention system makes for quick lens swaps in changing light conditions.

Klim took extra care engineering all the comfort features on the Edge. The two-part frame uses a firmer material around the lens and outriggers for structural support, while the inner part is more flexible for comfort against the face. Multi-layer cha.m.fered foa.m. creates more comfortable pressure distribution on the face and sweat control to help keep your eyes clear. A debossed nose area also allows for uniform sealing without pressure that restricts breathing. Another welcome feature is over-the-glasses (OTG) compatibility with frame cutouts that make it easy to wear glasses underneath the goggles. Klim continues solidifying their place with top shelf off-road riding gear and helmets, and now promises to do the same with the new Edge Off-Road Goggle. Visit www.klim.com for more information.

• 3-BROS SIX-HOURS OF GLEN HELEN COMING ON MARCH 14

If you’d like to eventually race the 24-hours of Glen Helen, this is the place to start. It’s only a measley six hours long. Its held in the daylight, so no lights are required and you’ll be home in time for dinner. For more info go to www.glenhelen.com or call Lori at (909) 384-9342 to find out how to form a three-man team.

• MXA SHOOTOUT VIDEO: 2021 HONDA CRF450 VERSUS HUSQVARNA FC450

• MXA AD OF THE WEEK: DIRT CHEAP 1976 KX’S

How much would you have to pay to get a 1976 Kawasaki KX125? How does $599 sound? That’s the the blow-out. The ’76 KX250 was discounted to $749 and the KX400 was $999.

• MXA SHOOTOUT VIDEO: 2021 KAWASAKI KX450 VERSUS YAMAHA YZ450F

• 22ND ANNUAL TEXAS WINTER SERIES ROUND 5 AT FREESTONE NEXT WEEKEND

For more info go to www.freestonemx.com

• WATCH LAST SATURDAY’S INDIANAPOLIS #3 450 MAIN EVENT IN UNDER THREE MINUTES

• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: “PRO-BOOT MX” REMEDIAL BOOT REPAIR

Note the big tear in the toe box area of this brand-new boot.

Although you only think of Pro-Boot MX as a company that resoles well-used Motocross boots, they recently came upon a boot that had a bad luck story. Pro-Boot MX’s Randy Nagel got a brand-new Gaerne SG12 boot from a guy who ran his foot into something that split the metal toe cap in two and tore a hole through the side of the boot. Luckily, he didn’t get hurt. He sent the boot to Pro-Boot MX, not to have the brand-new soles replaced, but to see if they could do something about the big tear in the toe box.

After the repair, the boot is good to go.

Randy glued the inner padding back together, welded up the crack and color matched the area with a flexible bonding material. The Pro-Boot MX repair looked pretty good, especially for a new boot that looked like it’s effective lifespan was only one ride. Total cost including a new toe cap and the repair was under $50.00 (plus return shipping). So, if you have a run-in with a footpeg or your kickstarter gouges your boot, don’t throw it away, send it to www.pro-bootmx.com or call (507) 534-1247.

• KEEPING TRACK OF THE 2021 RACE SCHEDULES

Maybe it’s just us, but haven’t we seen this track layout a couple times already in the 2021 AMA Supercross Championship. It is, in fact, the exact same track as the 2007 Orlando Supercross . Perhaps they can get Xerox to be the series sponsor next year.

REVISED 2021 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP (UPDATED)
Jan. 16 (Saturday)…Houston, TX
Jan. 19 (Tuesday)….Houston, TX
Jan. 23 (Saturday)…Houston, TX
Jan. 30 (Saturday)…Indianapolis, IN
Feb. 2 (Tuesday)….Indianapolis, IN
Feb. 6 (Saturday)…Indianapolis, IN
Feb. 13 (Saturday)…Orlando, FL
Feb. 20 (Saturday)…Orlando, FL
Mar. 6 (Saturday)…Daytona Beach, FL
Mar. 13 (Saturday)…Arlington, TX
Mar. 16 (Tuesday)… Arlington, TX
Mar. 20 (Saturday)…Arlington, TX
Apr.10 (Saturday)…Atlanta, GA
Apr.13 (Tuesday)…Atlanta, GA
Apr.17 (Saturday)…Atlanta, GA
Apr. 24 (Saturday)…Salt Lake City, UT
May 1 (Saturday)…Salt Lake City, UT

2021 AMA KICKER ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 8…….Starkville, MS
Jan. 9…….Starkville, MS
Jan. 15…….Lubbock, TX
Jan. 16…….Lubbock, TV
Jan. 22…….Guthrie, OK
Jan. 23…….Guthrie, OK
Jan. 29…….Denver, CO
Jan. 30…….Denver, CO
Feb. 5…….Reno, NV
Feb. 6…….Reno, NV
Mar. 5…….Amarillo, TX
Mar. 6…….Amarillo, TX

2021 AMA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
May 29…Pala, CA
Jun 5…Thunder Valley, CO
June 19…Mt. Morris, PA
June 26…Southwick, MA
July 3…Red Bud, MI
July 17….Millville, MN
July 24….Washougal, WA
Aug. 14…Unadilla, NY
Aug. 21…Budds Creek, MD
Aug. 28…Crawfordsville, IN
Sept. 4…Pala, CA
Sept.11…Hangtown, CA

2021 PROVISIONAL GRAND PRIX SCHEDULE (REVISED)
May 23…Oss, Holland,
Jun. 13…Orlyonok, Russia
Jun. 20…Kegums, Latvia
Jul. 4…Borobudur, Java
Jul. 11…Semarang, Indonesia
Jul. 25…Locket, Czech Republic
Aug. 1…Lommel, Belgium
Aug 8…Uddevall, Sweden
Aug. 22…KimiRing, Finland
Aug. 29…Igora, Russia
Sep. 12…Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
Sep. 19…TBA
Oct. 3…Teutschenthal, Germany
Oct. 10…St. Jean d’Angely, France
Oct. 17…Intu Xanadu, Spain
Oct. 24…Agueda, Portugal
Oct. 31…TBA, Italy
Nov. 7…TBA, China
Nov. 21…TBA, Argentina

2021 SCOTTISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 27/28…Tain
Apr. 24/25…Duns
May 15/16..Lochgilphead
Jun. 26/27..Reserve date
Jul. 10… Doune (Youth)
Jul. 17…Doune (Adult )
Aug. 14/15…Rhynie
Sept. 4/5…Desertmartin, Northern Ireland

2021 AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Apr. 11…Wonthaggi, VIC
May 2 …Canberra, ACT
May 30…Gillman, SA
Jun. 27…Maitland, NSW
Jul. 25…Wodonga, VIC
Aug. 9…TBA, QLD
Aug. 14….Coolum, QLD
Aug. 14….Coolum, QLD

2021 ADAC GERMAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Apr. 18…Dreetz
May 16…Moggers
Jun. 6…Reutlingen
Jul. 3…Bielstein
Jul. 18…Tensfeld
Sep. 5…Princely Drehna
Sep. 9…Gaildorf

2021 MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
Sep. 26…Imola, Italy

• 2021 AMA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS ON MAY 29

• 2021 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP IS UP TO ROUND SEVEN ALREADY

• THE COMPLETE 2021 MONSTER ENERGY SUPERCROSS TELECAST SCHEDULE: DON’T TRUST IT!

*Same-day delay, ^ Taped coverage, All times Eastern