It’s go time for the AMA Pro Motocross Championship series when the 2024 edition kicks off in Pala, California, this weekend.
A red-hot Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing Team is certainly set to front up in this opening clash of the 17-round series this Saturday, May 25, with the same rider line-up of Justin Barcia (pictured here), Pierce Brown and Ryder DiFrancesco, but under new management.
The team welcomes Frank Latham as Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing Team Manager for the summer as former manager, Max Lee, steps away after nearly two seasons with the squad.
“It’s been an honor to work with the entire Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing Team these last two seasons,” said Lee.
“I truly appreciate this amazing experience and the opportunity to live this dream. It’s bittersweet leaving as I’m going to miss the races and working with such an incredible team, but I am very excited to start this next chapter of my career.
“I wish the team the best of luck this outdoor season and I’d like to give a special thanks to Roger De Coster and John Hinz for their help and guidance. I know Frank Latham will do an outstanding job, as he brings with him years of experience validated with his team relationships and rider results. All the best to everyone at Troy Lee Designs, GASGAS and the KTM Group. On to the next.”
On track, Barcia already has four 450MX overall victory trophies in his cabinet, but was denied the opportunity to chase more one year ago when his season ended through injury only three rounds in.
This time around, his bike is dialled for the motocross season ahead and he too has form on his side, which he is wanting to make count when the points are paid on Saturday afternoons.
Barcia: “Supercross was definitely one of my more challenging seasons I have experienced so far, but our focus was to show up at every round with a goal to improve and build with every race.
“I feel towards the end of the season we made great strides, and we ended in a good spot walking away with a podium in San Diego and landing outside the podium at the last four rounds. I really enjoy outdoors and always have a lot of fun with the variety of tracks and conditions that Pro Motocross brings. I obviously didn’t get to start the outdoor season last year, so I am excited to go out there and have a lot of fun and have a strong season.”
Yamaha pair Cooper Webb and Eli Tomac are both sidelined with injury, but there’s always young Australian Jett Lawrence (Factory Honda) ready to take the “favourite” tag, with his elder brother Hunter Lawrence (Honda) also likely to feature.
Jett Lawrence tackles the 450 motocross class for only the second time this season, but, after winning the motocross crown as a 450cc rookie on debut last season, he’ll obviously be fancied to defend the title and strong too after his dominant performances in the just-completed AMA Supercross series.
Of course there’s always 2023 AMA Supercross Champion Chase Sexton (KTM) to be wary of, alongside his team-mate from Ohio, Aaron Plessinger, and what about Scotland’s Dean Wilson with British team-mate Max Anstie (both Honda) or Husqvarna riders Malcolm Stewart and Christian Craig, or how about Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson and Germany’s Ken Roczen (Suzuki) and, in the 250cc class, Triumph pair Joey Savatgy and Jalek Swoll?
We’ll find out Monday morning (NZ time).
Photo courtesy GASGAS
Find BikesportNZ.com on FACEBOOK here