Cycle News Staff | January 13, 2021
Supercross kicks off this week in Houston, Texas. Yes, Houston, not Anaheim. This is just one of the many changes that you’ll see in Supercross in 2021, but we’re here to help you get all caught up with all of the major ones before the gate drops, January 16.
By Ryan Nitzen
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. When the malls have all stopped playing those holiday jingles, it only means one thing—Supercross! Normally, the sport’s best would be gearing up for A1 this weekend, but if 2020 taught us anything it’s to always expect the unexpected. The ’21 Supercross season falls right in line with that mentality and has some drastic changes for the upcoming year.
Feld Entertainment, the organizers of Supercross, was forced to make some radical adjustments to this year’s schedule due to the ongoing pandemic. As a result, one of the casualties will be no Supercross rounds in California, or Arizona, in 2021.
Last year’s seven-round finals in Salt Lake City, Utah, set the tone for the 2021 Supercross schedule. This year’s 17-round series will start just a few weeks later than normal with round one on January 16, and is set to take place in just seven different locations: Houston, Indianapolis, Orlando, Daytona Beach, Arlington, Atlanta and Salt Lake City. Each city will host three rounds of racing, aside from Orlando and Salt Lake with two, and Daytona with one round. Weekday races are also back this year. A few will run on Tuesday evenings.
Another big change to the series is to the 250 East and West Regional Championships. The 250 East division is set to kick off the series in Houston and will run through round seven in Orlando before a final East race in Salt Lake during round 16. The West races will start at round eight in Orlando (yes, Orlando) and will carry the series through round 15 in Atlanta, before the East-West Shootout at the finale in Utah. For the first time ever, Daytona will be considered a West Coast round.
2021 AMA Supercross Preview | 450cc Teams
Team Honda HRC
Chase Sexton (23) and Ken Roczen (94) will be another two-rider powerhouse.
The Red Riders are back in 2021 with title contender, Ken Roczen, and 450 rookie, Chase Sexton, piloting the new CRF450R. Roczen ended his long-overdue win drought last year and proved he still has what it takes after suffering some devastating injuries in years past. He took the summer series off and looks to be fully rejuvenated for the ‘21 season after dealing with the dreaded Epstein-Barr virus.
Sexton is fresh off a 250 East Coast Championship and familiarized himself with the Factory Honda Team by riding a 450 during the outdoor series. Roczen will be in his usual Fox Racing setup while Sexton sports Alpinestars and 100% goggles.
SmarTop/Bullfrog Spas/MotoConcepts/Honda
The new-look Smartop/Bullfrog Spas/MotoConcepts Honda Team: (L-R) Benny Bloss, Vince Friese, Broc Tickle and Shan McElrath. McElrath is currently healing from an injury and his 450SX debut will have to wait.
This Honda-supported team will have four 450 riders on their roster this year as veteran Vince Friese is joined by team newcomers Broc Tickle, Benny Bloss, and 450 rookie Shane McElrath. McElrath enters the season injured (shoulder) and is expected to sit out at least the first round before he lines up behind the gate for the first time as a full-time 450-class rider. The team will wear Leatt gear from head to toe.
Muc-Off Honda
Justin Brayton will make up the new Muc-Off Honda Team.
The former Penrite Honda team has a new title sponsor this year with Muc-Off. Australian Supercross Champion and former Daytona Supercross winner, Justin Brayton is the lone 450 rider on the team and will sport Fly Racing gear with Gaerne boots.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team
(L-R) Dean Wilson, Zach Osborne and Jason Anderson hope to pick up where they left off.
The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna team had a fantastic 2020 season with a podium sweep at the Supercross series finale and a Pro Motocross Championship. They’ll be looking to pick up where they left off as former series champion Jason Anderson is accompanied by outdoor champ Zach Osborne and Dean Wilson. Anderson wears an Airoh Helmet, Scott goggles, Alpinestars gear and boots. Osborne dons Fly Racing with Gaerne boots. Wilson wears Alpinestars helmet and boots with O’Neal gear and 100% goggles.
Monster Energy Kawasaki
Adam Cianciarulo (9) and Eli Tomac (1) make up the powerful Monster Energy Kawasaki team. Tomac hopes to successfully defend the number-one plate.
Nothing new to report here, other than Eli Tomac will be defending the number-one plate in Supercross for the first time. The green team returns to racing with the same roster as it had last year with Tomac and Adam Cianciarulo, who enters the season a year older and a year wiser. Tomac wears a Bell helmet, Oakley goggles and Alpinestars gear, while AC is fully Fox Racing.
Red Bull KTM
Cooper Webb (2) and Marvin Musquin (25) will be a solid duo in ’21.
The Orange Brigade is out for blood this year. Cooper Webb narrowly lost the title a year ago and Marvin Musquin missed the series entirely after sustaining a pre-season knee injury. Both riders have multiple wins and a championship (Webb) on their resumes and are surely looking for redemption. The 450 riders will nearly match on the track with their Thor gear, 100% goggles, and Alpinestars boots. Webb will again wear a Bell helmet with Musquin again in the Airoh.
Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GasGas Race Team
GasGas’s first-ever Supercross effort rests on Justin Barcia’s shoulders.
Justin Barcia makes the move to the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GasGas Race Team in what was probably the biggest move of the off-season. He will be the sole 450 rider on the team aboard the MC 450F and wears a TLD helmet and gear with Alpinestars boots and Oakley goggles.
Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing 450
Dylan Ferrandis moves up to the 450SX class but stays on the same team, joining teammates Aaron Plessinger and Malcolm Stewart.
The Star Racing Yamaha team has now taken over the previous Monster Energy Factory Yamaha effort for 2021. 250 West Coast Champ, Dylan Ferrandis, moves up to the 450 class with former 250 champ Aaron Plessinger. Veteran racer Malcolm Stewart also joins the blue crew on a 450. Ferrandis and Plessinger will match with Bell helmets, 100% goggles, Thor gear and Alpinestars boots. Stewart stands apart in a Shoei helmet, Scott goggles, Seven gear and Gaerne boots.
Team Rocky Mountain ATV/MC/KTM/WPS
Joey Savatgy is back on a KTM again. He’s teamed with returning rider Justin Bogle (but no Blake Baggett).
The second of the KTM teams field two riders for the 2021 season. During the off-season, the team picked up Joey Savatgy and re-signed Justin Bogle to ride the factory-supported KTM 450 SX-Fs. However, still no word from the Blake Baggett camp. Baggett had another year left on his contract with the team but was mysteriously left off the roster in ’21. Bogle and Savatgy will wear Fly helmets and gear, 100% goggles and Alpinestars boots.
Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports Suzuki Racing
The Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports Suzuki Team (Max Anstie, Brandon Hartrandf and Adam Enticknap) represents Suzuki’s factory effort. Photo: @align.with.us
The Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Suzuki Team is the sole Suzuki squad in the paddock this year after the JGR team closed shop. The H.E.P. Suzuki Team has stepped up and will receive factory backing. The Suzuki RM-Z450-mounted team will, once again, field a three-man squad for 2021. Brit Max Anstie and Adam Enticknap return along with newcomer Brandon Hartranft, who will be making his 450-class debut in ’21. The team wears Thor helmets and gear, 100% gear and Forma boots.
2021 AMA Supercross Preview | 250cc Teams
Team Honda HRC
Honda’s 250SX racing program move back in-house with the closing of the Geico Honda program. Aussie brothers Jett and Hunter Lawrence will hold down the fort.
Team Honda HRC will also house the factory 250 effort for 2021 after last year’s closing of the Geico Honda outfit, which had, for many years, run Honda’s 250cc racing effort. The Aussie brothers, Hunter and Jett Lawrence, look to stretch their legs in the ever-competitive 250 class. Both had breakout rides in 2020 with Jett taking the industry by storm. This duo will match Sexton in their Alpinestars and 100% kits.
Muc-Off Honda
Mitch Oldenburg moves over to the Mud-Off Honda 250 Team.
Muc-Off takes over as title sponsor for the former Penrite Honda 250 team. Mitchell Oldenburg joins Mitchell Harrison as hungry competitors in the small-bore division. These two accompany team leader Brayton in their Fly Racing gear and Gaerne boots.
FXR/Chaparral/Honda
Back for their second year in the pits is the FXR/Chaparral Honda Racing Team. With added support from Honda, the team signed Coty Schock and Carson Mumford to ride their CRF250Rs. Both riders will wear 6D Helmets, Oakley goggles, FXR gear and Alpinestars boots.
Phoenix Racing Honda
Phoenix Racing Honda team has a four-rider team of Kyle Peters (pictured), Enzo Lopes, Josh Osby and Mason Gonzales.
There’s yet another group of red riders on track in ’21. The East Coast-based Phoenix Racing Honda Team will field a four-rider squad with Arenacross champ Kyle Peters leading the charge. The rest of the team consists of Enzo Lopes, Josh Osby and Mason Gonzales. Look for them in Alpinestars helmets and boots, with 100% goggles, and Moose gear.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team
RJ Hampshire, Jalek Swoll and Stilez Robertson make up Husky’s 250SX team.
The Factory Husqvarna effort sees the return of RJ Hampshire and Jalek Swoll, with the addition of Supercross rookie Stilez Robertson. Hampshire landed on the podium multiple times last year and proved he can be a title contender when healthy. As 250 riders, they all wear Airoh helmets, Scott goggles, Fly gear and Gaerne boots.
Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GasGas Race Team
Michael Mosiman (pictured) and Pierce Brown will now race aboard the GasGas MC 250F.
The KTM Group has shuffled its riders around to accommodate the newly formed Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GasGas Race Team. Both Michael Mosiman and Pierce Brown rode for the former Factory KTM Team and will now race aboard the GasGas MC 250F. They will wear Troy Lee Designs helmets and gear, Oakley goggles and Alpinestars boots.
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki
The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team is serious about winning again and has the potential to get it done.
The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team is one of the major powerhouses in the 250 class. In 2020, the team was hammered by injuries and is looking forward to a fresh start in 2021. Mitch Payton’s squad is hungry for a title after multiple years now without one. Austin Forkner heads up the team with 11 Supercross wins to his credit. Jordon Smith and Cameron McAdoo return to PC along with newcomer Jo Shimoda and rookie Seth Hammaker. This crew wears Bell helmets, Scott goggles, paired with Fox gear and boots.
Red Bull KTM
Rookie Max Vohland is KTM’s lone factory-backed 250 rider for 2021. He’s signed on for three years and has shown some serious potential in the amateur ranks. Look for him in Troy Lee helmet and gear, Scott goggles and Alpinestars boots.
Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing 250
The Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha Team is huge with six riders. The team acquired former 250MX champ Jeremy Martin over the off-season.
The Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha team is the largest in the pits this year with six riders. Proven race winners, Jeremy Martin (a two-time 250MX Champion) and Christian Craig, have been added to the roster after their time ended with Geico Honda. Colt Nichols and Justin Cooper are another pair on the team, eager to show their true potential on the track. Finally, a pair of rookies, Jarrett Frye and Nate Thrasher join the team for the first season in the stadiums. The team will wear matching kits consisting of Bell helmets, 100% goggles, Thor gear, and Alpinestars boots.
AJE Motorsports
Another fleet of GasGas bikes joins the ranks in the 250 class with the AJE Motorsports Team. Veteran Chris Blose heads up the effort with Derek Kelley and Mitchell Falk. This team wears 6D helmets, X Brand goggles, FXR gear and Alpinestars boots.
Bar X/Chaparral/Ecstar Suzuki Racing
Derek Drake will join Dylan Schwartz, John Short and Sean Cantrell on the newly formed Bar X/Chaparral/Ecstar Suzuki Team in the 250SX class in Supercross. Drake arrives from the form TLD/KTM squad.
Suzuki’s factory 250 effort is now under the Bar X/ Chaparral/Ecstar tent. Two riders on each coast will pilot their respective RM-Z250s. Look for Dylan Schwartz, and Derek Drake on the West Coast, and John Short and Sean Cantrell on the East Coast. Drake is currently recovering from a broken femur and his exact return to racing is still up in the air. The team will be managed by veteran leader Larry Brooks.
2021 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series, an FIM World Championship Schedule
|
|
|
| Jan 16, Sat |
(Rnd 1) Houston, TX (East) |
NRG Stadium |
| Jan 19, Tue |
(Rnd 2) Houston, TX (East) |
NRG Stadium |
| Jan 23, Sat |
(Rnd 3) Houston, TX (East) |
NRG Stadium |
| Jan 30, Sat |
(Rnd 4) Indianapolis, IN (East) |
Lucas Oil Stadium |
| Feb 2, Tue |
(Rnd 5) Indianapolis, IN (East) |
Lucas Oil Stadium |
| Feb 6, Sat |
(Rnd 6) Indianapolis, IN (East) |
Lucas Oil Stadium |
| Feb 13, Sat |
(Rnd 7) Orlando, FL (East) |
Camping World Stadium |
| Feb 20, Sat |
(Rnd 8) Orlando, FL (West) |
Camping World Stadium |
| March 6, Sat |
(Rnd 9) Daytona Beach, FL (West) |
Daytona Int. Speedway |
| March 13, Sat |
(Rnd 10) Arlington, TX (West) |
AT&T Stadium |
| March 16, Tue |
(Rnd 11) Arlington, TX (West) |
AT&T Stadium |
| March 20, Sat |
(Rnd 12) Arlington, TX (West) |
AT&T Stadium |
| April 10, Sat |
(Rnd 13) Atlanta, GA (West) |
Atlanta Motor Speedway |
| April 13, Tue |
(Rnd 14) Atlanta, GA (West) |
Atlanta Motor Speedway |
| April 17, Sat |
(Rnd 15) Atlanta, GA (West) |
Atlanta Motor Speedway |
| April 24, Sat |
(Rnd 16) Salt Lake City, UT (East) |
Rice-Eccles Stadium |
| May 1, Sat |
(Rnd 17) Salt Lake City, UT (W/E) |
Rice-Eccles Stadium |
2021 Supercross Rider Numbers
|
|
|
| 1 Eli Tomac |
37 Benny Bloss |
69 Robbie Wageman |
| 2 Cooper Webb |
38 Austin Forkner |
70 Henry Miller |
| 4 Blake Baggett |
39 Carson Mumford |
71 Killian Auberson |
| 6 Jeremy Martin |
40 Vince Friese |
72 Coty Schock |
| 7 Aaron Plessinger |
41 Hunter Lawrence |
73 Derek Kelley |
| 9 Adam Cianciarulo |
42 Michael Mosiman |
74 Mitchell Falk |
| 10 Justin Brayton |
43 Fredrik Noren |
75 Ty Masterpool |
| 11 Kyle Chisholm |
44 Tyler Bowers |
76 Grant Harlan |
| 12 Shane McElrath |
45 Pierce Brown |
77 Jerry Robin |
| 14 Dylan Ferrandis |
46 Justin Hill |
78 Kyle Cunningham |
| 15 Dean Wilson |
47 Jalek Swoll |
79 Isaac Teasdale |
| 16 Zach Osborne |
48 Garrett Marchbanks |
80 Jordon Smith |
| 17 Joey Savatgy |
49 Mitchell Oldenburg |
81 Justin Starling |
| 18 Jett Lawrence |
50 Enzo Lopes |
82 Lorenzo Locurcio |
| 19 Justin Bogle |
51 Justin Barcia |
83 Alex Ray |
| 20 Broc Tickle |
52 Luke Clout |
84 Josh Hill |
| 21 Jason Anderson |
53 Jake Masterpool |
85 Kevin Moranz |
| 22 Chad Reed |
54 Nick Gaines |
86 Darian Sanayei |
| 23 Chase Sexton |
55 John Short |
87 Curren Thurman |
| 24 RJ Hampshire |
56 Kyle Peters |
88 Logan Karnow |
| 25 Marvin Musquin |
57 Justin Rodbell |
89 Ryan Breece |
| 26 Alex Martin |
58 Jacob Hayes |
90 Dilan Schwartz |
| 27 Malcolm Stewart |
59 Jarrett Frye |
91 Nate Thrasher |
| 28 Brandon Hartranft |
60 Chris Blose |
92 Chase Marquier |
| 29 Christian Craig |
61 Joey Crown |
93 Hardy Munoz |
| 30 Jo Shimoda |
62 Mason Gonzales |
94 Ken Roczen |
| 31 Cameron McAdoo |
63 Martin Castelo |
95 Joshua Osby |
| 32 Justin Cooper |
64 Colt Nichols |
96 Michael Leib |
| 33 Derek Drake |
65 Carson Brown |
97 Ben LaMay |
| 34 Max Anstie |
66 Jordan Bailey |
98 Justin Hoeft |
| 35 Mitchell Harrison |
67 Stilez Robertson |
99 Hunter Sayles |
| 36 Martin Davalos |
68 Jace Owen |
|
How To Watch 2021 AMA Supercross
If you can’t make it to the stadium to see the races in person, you can watch all 17 rounds from your living room. NBC Sports will present all stops of the championship, highlighted by live coverage of all Supercross heats, last-chance qualifiers and main events across NBC, NBCSN, NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app and Peacock Premium.
Peacock Premium will offer a comprehensive one-stop-shop package of events that will include Supercross qualifiers and races live and on-demand replays without commercial interruption.
NBC Sports’ 2021 Supercross race action begins with the season opener from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, January 16, live at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN, marking the first time the series will begin the season outside of California in 25 years.
Veteran NBC Sports motorsports commentators Leigh Diffey and Todd Harris will handle play-by-play duties for this season’s Supercross coverage. They’ll be joined by five-time Supercross champion Ricky Carmichael, host and former racer Daniel Blair, and reporter Will Christien.
The 2021 season will culminate with the season finale from Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday, May 1, at 10 p.m. ET on NBCSN, with an encore presentation airing on Sunday, May 2, on NBC at 1:30 p.m. ET.
2021 Monster Energy Supercross Telecast Schedule
|
|
|
|
| Saturday, January 16 |
Houston |
NBCSN |
6 p.m. ET |
| Tuesday, January 19 |
Houston |
NBCSN* |
10:30 p.m. ET |
| Saturday, January 23 |
Houston |
NBCSN |
8 p.m. ET |
| Saturday, January 30 |
Indianapolis |
NBCSN |
8 p.m. ET |
| Sunday, January 31 |
Indianapolis |
NBC** |
5 p.m. ET |
| Tuesday, February 2 |
Indianapolis |
NBCSN* |
11 p.m. ET |
| Saturday, February 6 |
Indianapolis |
NBCSN |
8 p.m. ET |
| Saturday, February 13 |
Orlando |
NBCSN |
7:30 p.m. ET |
| Saturday, February 20 |
Orlando |
NBCSN |
7 p.m. ET |
| Saturday, March 6 |
Daytona |
NBCSN |
7 p.m. ET |
| Saturday, March 13 |
Arlington |
NBCSN |
7 p.m. ET |
| Tuesday, March 16 |
Arlington |
NBCSN* |
10:30 p.m. ET |
| Saturday, March 20 |
Arlington |
NBCSN* |
10:30 p.m. ET |
| Saturday, April 10 |
Atlanta |
NBC |
3 p.m. ET |
| Tuesday, April 13 |
Atlanta |
NBCSN* |
10 p.m. ET |
| Saturday, April 17 |
Atlanta |
NBCSN* |
8:30 p.m. ET |
| Saturday, April 24 |
Salt Lake City |
NBCSN |
7 p.m. ET |
| Saturday, May 1 |
Salt Lake City |
NBCSN |
10 p.m. ET |
| Sunday, May 2 |
Salt Lake City |
NBC** |
1:30 p.m. ET |
*Same-day delay
**Taped coverage
|
| 450SX |
| 1. Eli Tomac (Kaw) 384 |
| 2. Cooper Webb (KTM) 359 |
| 3. Ken Roczen (Hon) 354 |
| 4. Jason Anderson (Hus) 287 |
| 5. Justin Barcia (Yam) 272 |
| 6. Zach Osborne (Hus) 252 |
| 7. Malcolm Stewart (Hon) 252 |
| 8. Dean Wilson (Hus) 239 |
| 9. Justin Brayton (Hon) 227 |
| 10. Justin Hill (Yam) 213 |
|
| 250SX EAST |
| 1. Chase Sexton (Hon) 218 |
| 2. Shane McElrath (Yam) 209 |
| 3. Jo Shimoda (Hon) 122 |
| 4. Garrett Marchbanks (Kaw) 119 |
| 5. Enzo Lopes (Yam) 107 |
| 6. Jeremy Martin (Hon) 105 |
| 7. Jalek Swoll (Hus) 104 |
| 8. Kyle Peters (Hon) 94 |
| 9. Pierce Brown (KTM) 92 |
| 10. RJ Hampshire (Hus) 80 |
|
| 250SX WEST |
| 1. Dylan Ferrandis (Yam) 200 |
| 2. Justin Cooper (Yam) 180 |
| 3. Austin Forkner (176) |
| 4. Brandon Hartranft (KTM) 158 |
| 5. Michael Mosiman (Hus) 139 |
| 6. Alex Martin (Suz) 124 |
| 7. Derek Drake (KTM) 120 |
| 8. Mitch Oldenburg (Hon) 109 |
| 9. Luke Clout (Hon) 106 |
| 10. Jett Lawrence (Hon) 97 |
