It’s lights, camera, action as the 2023 AMA Supercross Championships are set to launch at Anaheim this Saturday night (Sunday NZ time).
A new era in Supercross racing will dawn as the traditional season opener at Angel Stadium also harkens the inaugural year of the SuperMotocross Series with round one in Anaheim, California, the traditional venue for the season opener in the United States.
The circuit will unify the Monster Energy AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross series with a season-ending three-event playoff that will meld the best of indoor stadium and outdoor motocross to determine an overall champion.
Colorado’s Eli Tomac is the reigning premier class champion in both Supercross and Pro Motocross.
Tomac signed a one-year deal to return for Supercross in 2023 but has yet to commit to running the full SuperMotocross schedule.
Tomac’s primary competition in the 450 category likely will come from Jason Anderson and Chase Sexton. Frenchman Dylan Ferrandis, along with fellow Frenchman and former motocross world champion Marvin Musquin and Malcolm Stewart also are also expected to challenge Tomac’s bid for a second consecutive championship (and third overall).
Adam Cianciarulo also will return after an injury-plagued 2022 season. After going winless last year, two-time champion Cooper Webb will aim at a return to form, and long-time rival Ken Roczen has switched from Honda to Suzuki.
New Zealand fans will also want to watch out for Christchurch’s Dylan Walsh, racing in the 250cc class on his Revo Grindstone Kawasaki.
The 2023 opener will mark the 80th time that Supercross has raced at Angel Stadium, more than any other venue. It’s the 32nd season opener in Anaheim through 50 years of Supercross. Only 17 of 49 season-opening winners have won the championship in the same season; most recently Ryan Villopoto in 2012.
Photo courtesy AMA Supercross
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