MXP: Hey Newf! We hope 40 is treating you well so far. The Pro Motocross Championships begin this weekend at Fox Raceway in California. Everyone appears healthy and ready to go. We won’t ask you to pick champions right now, but can you give us three riders in each class who will be fast and have the potential to win motos?
RL: It’s crazy that Motocross is here already. It seems like Supercross just got going. Here are my three picks.
250 class
- RJ Hampshire has tons of confidence coming off of his 250SX Championship, and it’s his time to shine
- Levi Kitchen has really stepped up his game this year, and I think he’s better outdoors than indoors
- Haiden Deegan, I mean, he’s the deegs. Look how good he was last year in the outdoor series.
450 class
- Jett Lawrence was undefeated in 2023 motocross; need I say more?
- Chase Sexton really had the KTM figured out in the last few weeks of SX and was looking much better than the start of the season. I also think that KTM is a better outdoor bike as well.
- Eli Tomac: I don’t think we will see him until mid-way through the series, but he will get a moto win before the end of the year.
MXP: We’re just over a week away from the opening round of the 2024 Triple Crown Series in Calgary. The stage is now set, and we know all of the riders who will be on the line at Wild Rose MX Park. The last time we saw depth like this in either class was before COVID-19, so the racing will no doubt be exciting all summer. We know you wear a few hats at the races, but if you were just a fan who had to pick the overall winners at Round 1, who would they be?
RL: This is hard for me not to be biased, but how do you not go with Dylan Wright in the 450 class? This is very similar to asking if Jett Lawrence will win Pala this weekend in 450. When Arron Tanti gets back to 100%, he will be in the mix, and also Mitchell Harrison is coming in very underrated. As for the 250 class, I think I have to go with the Vet riders, Tyler Medaglia and Kaven Benoit. Both riders know how to win; they have been winning for years. I just think when the dust settles, these guys know how to manage a pressure situation like the opening round of a series.
MXP: With all the knowledge and experience you have garnered over the years. What would a 40-year-old Newf tell a 20-year-old Newf prior to the first gate drop of the Triple Crown Series?
RL: There could be a book written on this (laughs). Honestly, though, the biggest thing would be just believing in yourself. Whether you feel 100% prepared or slightly under-prepared, you have to just worry about yourself and no one else on that line. Confidence can do crazy things, and those who are confident will excel regardless of the situation.
