Five Things To Watch At The Pro Motocross Season Finale
Ryan Nitzen | September 2, 2022
We’re just one day away from the season finale of the 2022 Pro Motocross Championship. There’s a ton of news circulating the industry and we wanted to gather it up in one concise place. Welcome to our Pro Motocross Season Finale Preview with five things you’ll want to watch for.
Shortened Motos
Yes you read that right. Due to an intense heat wave sweeping California at the moment, the 250 and 450 motos will be shortened to 25 minutes plus two laps. There’s also an extra break in between the motos for riders to cool off. This puts the last 450 moto gate drop to start at 4:45 in the afternoon. Temps are forecasted to be over 105 degrees, so we don’t think anyone is really complaining.
A SoCal heatwave will shorten the motos to 25 minutes + 2 laps. Photo: Align Media
Musquin 250
Marvin Musquin announced he will line up in the 250 class. He’s been seen around SoCal riding a KTM 250 SX-F in preparation for the Motocross of Nations and it looks like he’s opting for a few gate drops aboard the small bore machine. Marv mentioned the last time he rode a 250 was at MX of Nations 2015 in Ernee, France. Technically the title is still up for grabs between Jett Lawrence and Jo Shimoda, so it might get interesting if Musquin gets between those two.
Marvin Musquin is set to line up in the 250 class, his first time since 2015.
Hymas’s Pro Debut
Chance Hymas will be making his pro debut this weekend. After a lackluster performance at this year’s Loretta Lynn’s National, Hymas opted to forgo a debut at the usual Unadilla. Instead, he raced and won the pro class at the Idaho round of NGPC and swept the Moto Combine last weekend at Ironman. Hymas will line up with the Honda HRC team and accompanies the Lawrence brothers. This also means that Hymas will race Ryder D. and Haiden Deegan. We’ll have our own highly anticipated not-so-amateur shootout in the 250 class.
Chance Hymas makes his Pro Motocross debut this weekend.
One Point
Don’t forget there’s only one point separating the 450 title. Eli Tomac and Chase Sexton are in an all-out war for the championship, and Sexton is in a must-win situation if he wants the crown. Even a 2-1 finish for Sexton would still give the title to Tomac (keeping the points tied at one like last week). Tomac’s obviously a past champion and can handle the pressure, but little inconsistencies as of late could spell disaster. He’ll also need to be ahead of Sexton for a shot at what could be his last outdoor title.
Two motos left with only one point separating these two.
Last Races
Speaking of last outdoor title, word has it that this could be Eli Tomac’s final outdoor season. From what we’ve heard, he will be opting for a Supercross-only deal in 2023, although nothing is confirmed at the moment. Dean Wilson has also been vocal about this being his outdoor farewell tour. Fox Raceway will mark the last time we see Deano outdoors. Ken Roczen is another rider who could be on that list, as most signs point to him doing Supercross only next year. This will also mark Jett Lawrence’s last outdoor race on a 250 as he is picked to race a 450 at Motocross of Nations later this month. Jett is also likely to race a 450 outdoors in 2023 after he defends his 250 Supercross title.
Fox Raceway marks the end of Dean Wilson’s outdoor career. Who else?
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