Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
MXP: Hey Newf! The 2023 Monster Energy Supercross Series wrapped up last weekend in SLC. Although the series started with a bang, it ended on a softer note. Overall, what are your thoughts on the 2023 series, and what, if anything, can they do to improve it next year?
RL: Yes, no doubt it ended in a way that none of us as fans wanted to see. However, right up till a few rounds to go, the 450SX championship was up in the air. Regarding things to improve, that’s a tough one to answer. There is a lot of talk about tracks and rider safety being the issue, but honestly, I think it boils down to the season being way too long. Think about this: these athletes start boot camp and testing around the middle to end of October and go until May. That is an extremely long time to stay healthy in any sport, let alone supercross. As a fan who watches and follows the sport closely, I love that there are so many races to watch, but if the series were shorter with more breaks, it would help with the issue of seeing what we have seen this year. At the end of the day, it is business for Feld, so I don’t see them shortening the series.
MXP: In two weeks, we’ll all be in Edmonton for the 2023 Triple Crown Series opening round. This week the news broke that Tanner Ward is moving from the 450 class to the 250 class. Do you like this move, and how do you think Tanner will do this summer?
RL: Yes and No. I was really hoping to see Justin Bogle line up, but clearly, that has not gone to plan. I’m curious if we will see him even after he gets healthy. For Tanner, I really like where he left off last year on the 450. He got better every round, and even though he got hurt this winter, I think he would have picked up where he left off in 2022. The 250 class is deep, and even if Bogle doesn’t make it up here, Tanner will be a great edition, and I believe that in the end, he may end up finishing better than Bogle anyway. I’m kind of at a loss for words as I think this class is going to be wild to watch. I’m excited!
MXP: As you said, the 250 class is stacked this summer, and finishing inside the top five consistently will be a challenge for all of the riders. With all this depth, give me the name of a rider who is going to break through and surprise a lot of people.
RL: I keep going back to Wyatt Kerr. He has experience from last year, and from what I have seen and heard, his speed is much improved, which is what needed to be improved a bit last year. If you watched him last year, it was never an issue with his effort or fitness; he just needed a little more speed. He is on the Priority Mechanical team, which spares no expense on good bikes and their program, so I like his chances to be in the mix. It’s not going to be easy, but I do feel he will be at the top of the second-tier group of guys, and when the opportunity is there will dip into the top tier.
