WE ARE BACK! Hell, even FELD wanted to have a Daytime race! It’s catching on, people! The hype around A1 is crazy. I have only raced two A1’s in my life but even for a squid like me, there was some added pressure/anxiety because of the unknown. I can’t imagine what it’s like for these top riders. A sold out crowd greeted the riders come Saturday and even though the 250 and 450 main events weren’t barn burners we do have A LOT to talk about from the opener in Anaheim.
Eli Tomac: I am proud to say that the Renthal 661/KK handlebar is undefeated in 2026! On a serious note, I mentioned on our Racer X Preview Show that I wouldn’t be shocked if Tomac wins or gets fifth. I knew his starts would be better on the KTM, which they were and with the ground being slick/hard at A1 the KTM engine character is just plain better for Tomac’s 0-100% type of throttle hand. I do think KTM is relieved that this first one is out of the way and with the way Tomac rode on Saturday night you can guarantee he is in this thing for the long haul. Did anyone else notice the gap Tomac and Roczen had at the finish? Over 25 seconds back to Prado in third! That is what I am looking at the most here! 25 seconds is crazy and that tells me that these other riders have some work to do to catch up to 3 and 94. Yes, it’s the first round but when you have that much of a gap the other riders have to think that they have some work to do. If you’re a geek like me with these intricacies of our sport did you notice that Tomac didn’t rev the KTM nearly as much as his Yamaha? Hmmmmmm.
Jorge Prado: This is the biggest SHUT THE EFFF UP result of the year. I was in arguments about Prado a ton before the season as I said he would get a top 5 before mid way of the series. A lot of my friends that I was crazy. Well here we are. Look, do I like how he ended last season with Kawasaki? No. Does that mean he can’t ride a dirt bike really freaking well? No. Prado can start. Check that box. He can ride within his means for 20 minutes. Check that box. He doesn’t get into a lot of contact or is very aggressive to others. Check that box. Is he going to jump whoops late in the race? Check that box. I don’t think he continues his podium streak next week but I do think he will hover in that top 5 all season long. Congrats to Prado and KTM for a hell of a Saturday night.
Chase Sexton: Ehhhhhh boy. It started out well with a P1 in qualifying but slowly went down hill once the sun started setting. People reading this should NOT think this is a Kawasaki/bike result. I will say that Chase did some of his usual mistakes but the bike IS NOT the issue. Sexton was faster in four out of the seven segments compared to Prado and had the third fastest lap compared to Prado sixth fastest. The Chase result was made from mistakes and Prado’s result was made from lack of them. Let’s all calm down before we start bringing up the Gisele comments or burn the guy on the cross. The KX450 looks good on Chase and I think the green bike is a better bike for Chase. Chase just needs to minimize his mistakes and he’s up there in the same realm as Tomac/Roczen. If you think he isn’t, then something is wrong with you.
Suzuki: Two Suzukis in the top 5! WTF is going on! Cable clutches, kickstarters, RM-Z’s, holy shit did we just flash back to the early 2000s? This goes to show that no matter what we all think as fans that ride for fun, each bike on the line is capable of winning or landing on the podium in the premier level of our sport. Roczen and Anderson both have Twisted Development engines and are running REP suspension. Sure there is some sprinkling of factory parts but you, yes you sitting there reading this could pay/get the same bike Roczen and Anderson are riding! Hell, I am going to go ride one next week now! I got sucked into the yellow fever!
Barcia/Mookie Crash: That was horrible. What is crazy is that these riders haver too gather themselves after seeing that and go race. Our sport is so gnarly with things like this. Riders have to be mentally so tough to get through things and have this super power of blocking out negative thoughts. Seeing that crash makes me sick to my stomach and reminds us (again) of how much of a fine line these guys walk on each Saturday night. I also think before we start pointing fingers at our medical team on what they did or did NOT do, we need to gather all the facts before making an assumption. Let’s ALWAYS try not to burn our sport down with negative opinions on the people that are helping make our sport safe. I am happy to see/hear that both Barcia and Mookie will be “ok”.
Max Anstie: Max will be strong no matter if Deegs gets a start or not. He is good in whoops and isn’t scared of anyone. I think Anstie has the most analytical mind in the 250 class which will help him decipher when or when not to send it on any given night. If Deegs keeps digging himself into a hole, this Brit could be the vet class wonder in this west coast championship.
Chance Hymas: A lot has changed for Chanceamas. Doing his training and riding in the middle of BFE Arizona is something I can get behind. No distractions, just his dirt bike, training and the dez. I am here for it! Coming back from two ACL’s is not easy on the body or mind so seeing him get a 2nd on the night has to be a big relief for him (and Honda). Watch Chance ride and tell me he doesn’t look like Canard on the bike. Very square and lots of elbows.
Deegs: A fourth isn’t horrible and honestly as bad as it looked from him on Saturday night, the result was pretty damn good. He said he picked the wrong gate but with that Star Racing Yamaha he is on, I don’t care where you start, you should get the holeshot. I think we see a more mature Deegan on the track (not off) this season so don’t look for a ton of fireworks from him. (I could eat my words here come next week)
Ryder D: A finger gun at the finish is bold but I am here for it. I am sure Ryder is sick of hearing how good Deegan is and how he doesn’t have the heart or speed to get on the box but I knew this dude could do it. He is strong mentally (you have to be to have an amateur career like he had and then a pro career like he has had so far) and his physical ability is catching up with his riding ability now. He is filled out, has an adult after dark mustache and is podiuming SX races. Hell yeah. I am here for “THE D”!
Mcadoo/Deegs Incident: I don’t think Deegan cross jumped Mcadoo on purpose. Maybe Mcadoo feels different but I really think that Haiden crossed over to get out of the line of Yoder. This what I want to believe. Say what you want about Deegan but I don’t think he is here to cross jump Mcadoo on purpose. Sometimes we as fans can’t see all of the ruts that are in these transitions and sometimes it can hook a rider right or left. I think that is why Deegs looked back mid air to see where he was in relation to McAdoo. This is what I want to believe!
