That’s it! That’s a wrap on the outdoor season! It’s crazy to think that it’s already over because it seems like Fox Raceway was just not that long ago. I am sure the riders are looking forward to a couple weeks off but since the SMX opener is just right around the corner, the riders might not be getting as much of a break as they would like.
Chase Sexton: The strongest rider in the series showed why he is the series champion. Even though there was nothing to play for in the second moto, Chase still went out and hammered down in some hot conditions. I have said this in other articles about Chase, but it really is amazing how much he stands up even when the G Forces are telling him to sit down. Coming from a place where he wasn’t pumped on his bike in the beginning of the year to this is a huge turn around. The big question we all are asking is Chase going to beat Jett in this playoff SMX series? Chase has the best chance he ever has to silence all of us idiots come the first week of September. If Jett comes out and smokes everyone the first round in Charlotte, we are in trouble come 2025, but I don’t think that is going to happen.
Eli Tomac: I heard that Tomac got a new fork setting this week and it looked like it was a bit better for Beastmode. He looked more aggressive and had some left in the tank in order to fight for a podium spot. Does this ride earn him a spot on the MXoN team? To me, no it doesn’t. Chase and AP earned that spot but Eli should make it ineressting come SMX time. I don’t know if he will be as good as Jett or Chase but it wouldn’t surprises me to see him get close to a win and make a couple podiums!
Phil Nicoletti: It is NOT flashy but this dude is effective! A seventh place is an awesome ride to finish off your professional motocross career. There is something to be said about a guy who has done it this long and is still as passionate about dirt bikes as much as Phil is. Phil downplays how good he really is on a dirt bike, but this dude can haul ass. He is particular about bike set up and has got that new linkage he was looking for so it’s great to see it all pay off for another top ten at Ironman. I am looking forward to seeing what 2025 brings for Phil and how much he will be around. He is good for our sport! Congrats on a racing career that most of us wannabees dream of Phil.
Marshal Weltin: The most improved outdoor 450 rider of the year! Marsh has hung in this WHOLE year and stayed healthy. He’s on a bike he really likes, was in shape and managed to get 13th in points for the season. I was going to give this award to Harri Kullas but Marsh has been in SX/MX this whole year grinding it out. I don’t know how many times the luck wasn’t on his side but he never gave up and came back to put in the best year he’s had in his professional career. There is something to be said about staying on the bike and staying healthy.
Tom Vialle: A 1-4 to win the overall usually doesn’t happen but with Ironman being the last race of the year and the weather being so hot/humid, that score got it done for Vialle. I really thought this dude would have won an outdoor title by year two, but the competition is tough and Deegan seems to have a little more in the tank than the Frenchman. A SX title and a second place in the outdoor series is a damn good year and with Musquin helping him even more for 2025, I think we can see an even better Tom come January.
RJ Hampshire: RJ eats nails for breakfast. Tell RJ he can’t and he will. This is what Rick does. If there is a guy who might give Deegan some problems in SMX, this is the dude that is going to do it. I think if there is one guy who has as much DGAF as Deegan, it’s RJ. That is all…
Ryder D: Every Tuesday Ryder is at GH putting in the time with the team. I see the progression first hand when I am out at the track. He also is back in Bakersfield which puts him in a better mindset, which helps Homelife, which helps results. He has quietly been pretty damn good this outdoor season and I see a little more grit in him since SX. I know we were complaining that he was just letting guys go by him in SX but in MX, he had way more fight in him. Nice work, Ryder!
Joey Savatgy: Heartbreak of the outdoor season goes to 17. This dude couldn’t catch a break. Just when you think it was going to turn around, something happened or he had a bike malfunction. Being that Joey was on a first year team, some trials and tribulations were to be expected, but I think Joey was expecting much more out of himself as well as the team this year. Do we see him back on Triumph next year? We think he is, but with him not being able to race 250 SX, I don’t see him waiting around for outdoors again.
Ken Roczen: A 9-12 isn’t exactly what Kenny wanted but I must say it was cool to see him racing a 250. The first moto looked great until the heat/length of the racing got to him but nonetheless seeing 94 work that RM-Z250 around the track is still a thing of beauty. On last Monday’s Pulp Show we predicted a 6-9th place range so it wasn’t that far off. It should also be noted that Ken used REP suspension for Ironman as it’s been a while since he used someone other than Active Ride stuff. REP does the BAR X Suzuki team’s suspension and gave Kenny a set just to see what he thought. He ended keeping the set on for the time he rode the 250. Kenny will be back in SMX on his familiar 450 so look for more good starts and sprint laps for the likable German. Will he keep REP stuff on his 450? That is to be determined.
