2023 Racer X Monster Energy Pro Motocross Preview Show: Episode 1 - 450 Class

Jason Weigandt, Steve Matthes, and Jason Thomas preview the upcoming 11 rounds of the 2023 AMA Pro Motocross Championship kicking off on May 27 in Southern California. With a handful of injuries (Eli Tomac, Cooper Webb, Justin Barcia, Jason Anderson) to the factory riders and some riders racing the FIM World Supercross Championship (Ken Roczen), we are starting the season without a few of the top riders.

Many are wondering if we will see a three-way championship battle between newly crowned 450SX Champion Chase Sexton, his Honda HRC teammate and 450 Class rookie Jett Lawrence, and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Dylan Ferrandis. Will Sexton come out swinging like he did to start the 2022 Pro Motocross season? Will the #23 continue his supercross success into a title this summer? How will Lawrence’s rookie season go on his Honda CRF450R? Ferrandis claimed the 2021 450 Class title but missed all but two events in 2022 with an injury. Can he return to championship form? The trio talks about their championship favorites entering the season and discusses other riders they think will take moto wins.

Thanks to our sponsors: Monster Energy, Maxxis, New Ray Toys, Fly Racing, and Maxima Racing Oils.

Hosts: Jason Weigandt, Steve Matthes, and Jason Thomas
Edit by Kellen Brauer
Film courtesy of: Feld Motor Sports, NBC Sports, Tom Journet, and Kellen Brauer

[craigo]

Watching Eli in those clips just makes me mourn for the season that could have been, and seasons of the future. Motocross will not be the same now beast mode is just a faint echo in the wind. I know all the new riders are technically great, but they don't have the same visceral appeal of the enigmatic aggression of ET3.

[RacerXIllustrated]

UPDATE: Following the making of his show, Red Bull KTM's Cooper Webb has announced he will contest all 11 rounds of AMA Pro Motocross.

[AzTurboMini]

Not seeing Tomac getting a bad start and charge through the pack to take 1 place in the last few laps will be sorely missed. 😢

[tcparker]

I’m with Weige, Dylan can be a force if he stays healthy.

[Runklsmcdougal]

Barcias on the entry list, along with Kris Keefer 😮

[TideNC]

Jason Weigandt you are the only other person I’ve heard picki Ferrandis besides me. I’m 48, I was born into pro MX in 1974 as my uncle Furman Gray went factory. I say that to say this, I’ve seen many great riders in 48 years. I’ve called many 60/65 riders at LL who tailed their rivals, to overtake them once pro. (Sexton) is the most recent. But what Ferrandis did two years ago people seem to have forgotten. How far back he come through to win. But I agree, a healthy Dylan Ferrandis will be champ. He can’t stand anything less. All the talk of the Bullet and Tomac, I’d have to add Ferrandis as well. Great pick!!!
PS: I’m a Tomac and Sexton fan, not Ferrandis, but given credit where it’s due.

[tyefleming]

Chase got so fast last year chasing Eli... What an opportunity that he made the most of.

[greencuda]

Get Blake Baggett to throw a leg over Eli's bike .

[ElsinoreRacer]

Dylan Ferrandis is a monster, and I think he is pissed off. If he chills the 1st race or two to get his race legs beneath him, he is going to have a lot to say. He is the last guy to totally dominate outdoors, he gets faster as the moto goes on.

How I think it goes: Jett and Chase get starts and will slow each other. Dylan does not, but just keeps coming all moto, and with 5-10 minutes left the real fun begins.

[monsterkxf]

JT wearing his sisters pants and shirt!! 🤘🤘

[bradf]

The 250 class is going to be better than the 450 now…

[ewindeed]

Best hope is Sexton, Jett, and Ferrandis stay healthy all season so there is good competitive racing

[AntiPattern]

Man, I sure hope Bam can come in at least a little healthy. The way he was riding this year, I think he was an absolute contender for a title outdoors this season. If he can limp along into some top 5's until he gets better, he might still have a chance to at least finish top 3...

[AllenCampbell-uguk]

It would be awesome, if Mike Brown appeared on line, because he still flies.

[Tmogangsta]

I'm not a ferrandis fan but he looked awsome at the des nations

[CaptainSteve]

Chase barely lost last year to one of the all-time greats. He's on another level and wants it BADLY!. He's a lock.

[jessebryant]

My prediction? Aaron is gonna show up outdoors this year. Things will be different. (Hopefully, that's not just wishful thinking!)

[ZacAttackManiac]

James Stewart comes back on eli's 450 yamaha for outdoors!!!
-one can only wish

[westmetal]

When Jett had his crash before sx last year which forced him to ride east coast, he came to one of our FTR races in FL and was riding a 450. Absolutely shredding the woods. More than comfortable on the big bike. He’ll be a problem for Chase

[CaddyJim]

The best comparison I can think of was *2007 RC* is winning but only racing a partial retirement season. It's *Stew's* title to lose because *Reed* did *SX* only deal. *RC* retires *Stew* gets hurt, so the battle comes down to *Short, Alessi & Langston*