AMA Supercross: 450 Stars all in place for A1 Season Opener!

In just over two weeks’ time, the highest paid dirt bike racers on the planet will hit Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, to drop the gate on the AMA Supercross series.

Words: Ben Rumbold. Featured Image: HRC Honda

Just to whet your appetite, here is a quick run-down of the top 15 racers from last year, some notable others, and what they’re gonna be racing!

Chase Sexton will race with the #1 plate on his new Red Bull Factory KTM. (Image: KTM Media Library)

1. Chase Sexton (#1) – Moves to Red Bull KTM. Hits the ground running with the big #1 on his bike.  Last year’s champ won 6 races to Eli’s 7 but of course that late injury let him in.  Will those bogey crashes still haunt Chase on his new machine? How quickly will he adapt to the steel chassis? This could go either way!
2. Eli Tomac (#3) – Stays on Star Racing Yamaha. Unwilling to bow out on such a downer as last year’s injury without a crash, Eli is back to see if he can take the title one more time. How will he cope with the new contenders from Down Under though?
   

   Former Champs Webb & Tomac are joined full-time by Justin Cooper for 2024. (Image: Star Racing Yamaha)

    

3. Cooper Webb (#2) – Moves to Star Racing Yamaha.  How will the former champ bounce back from the injury that ruled him out last year? He was able to run a good pace on the Yam in the SMX Playoffs so there is every chance that the mind game master will be strong again, especially back in the familiar Star Racing family.
4. Ken Roczen (#94) – Stays on Ecstar HEP Racing Suzuki.  The two-time WSX Champ can always be a force, but will his stamina, and that out-dated bike, be able to stay on top for 17 races? It’s the eternal question with Kenny!
   

   KR94 will be as popular as ever but will he be waving his kickstarter on the podium again in 2024? (Image: WSX)

    

5. Justin Barcia (#51) – Stays on Troy Lee Designs GASGAS.  The multiple season-opener winner is the one man you never want on your back wheel, but for how many more years can he be a threat to the very top men?
6. Jason Anderson (#21) – Stays on Monster Energy Kawasaki. One of the biggest disappointments of last year was that El Hombre couldn’t continue the winning form he showed in 2022. Another who has more years behind him than ahead.
7. Aaron Plessinger (#7) – Stays with Red Bull KTM.  AP suffered the heartbreak of a late crash in Detroit that denied him his first 450 Supercross win. Will he ever get another chance? The fan favourite will not give up but in a stacked field you wouldn’t bet on him.
8. Justin Hill (#46) – Stays with Team Tedder KTM. Had a decent year on the comeback trail and is still in his 20s, so could last the distance better than most.
9. Adam Cianciarulo (#9) – Stays with Monster Energy Kawasaki.  How much longer can AC keep his ride? Every year is a crunch year for everyone, but Adam has to start delivering on one of the best bikes on the grid.  He has the talent, now he just needs the endurance.
10. Dean Wilson (#15) – Stays with Firepower Honda.  Everyone’s favourite Scotnadian has told everyone this is last year of AMA Supercross. We wish him a good one, and a repeat of a top ten in the series would be just that.
11. Shane McElrath (#12) – Stays on Ecstar HEP Racing Suzuki.  The 2022 SX2 World Champ lost that crown but has another year on the yellow bikes.  The under-rated bald guy could make progress through the year with a stable team situation.
12. Chistrian Craig (#28) – Stays on Rockstar Energy Husqvarna.  The MX of Nations can’t have been good for him, and again age might be more of an issue as younger blood comes in.  But the longer the whoops sections, the better he will go!
13. Josh Hill (#44) – Stays with Team Tedder KTM, alongside his brother. Another who will improve as others drop out.
14. Colt Nichols (#45) – Moves to Liqui Moly Beta.  With the new Italian factory bike, will the 2021 East Coast 250 Champ be able to hit top five like he did with the Honda? He certainly deserves to.
15. Kyle Chisholm (#11) – Stays on Ecstar HEP Racing Suzuki.  One for the development team but always consistent.

• Jett Lawrence (#18) – Stays with HRC Honda. Gotta be the favourite going in.  Unbeaten in 2023 Outdoors, nearly that in SMX, he seems to have it all under control. Will the bubble burst or is it made of steel? Probably the latter!
  

  How often will the brothers get together in 2024? (Image: Honda HRC)

   

• Hunter Lawrence (#96) – Stays with HRC Honda. The big question is can he beat his brother?  They are both the defending 250 SX Champions from either coast, but it has to be said that it would be more surprising if Hunter won than Jett.
• Justin Cooper (#32) – Stays with Star Racing Yamaha. First full year on a 450 after a strange dab into things last year.  Could be a contender but probably stronger outdoors.
• Dylan Ferrandis (#14) – Moves to Phoenix Honda. People forget that the 2021 outdoor champ was also a double 250 SX title winner, but has been unable to replicate that on the big bike.  Now on a more private Honda arrangement, will that make the difference? He certainly looks good in red.
  

  Dylan has always dreamed of a Honda ride. Now he has one, what can he do with it? (Image: Phoenix Honda)

   

• Malcolm Stewart (#27) – Stays with Rockster Energy Husqvarna.  Super-talented but equally fragile and still looking for that elusive first 450 win. Will it ever come?
• Jorge Prado (#111) – Debuts in Supercross with Red Bull GASGAS.  The reigning MXGP Champ enters A1 for the first time ever. Read that again. A lightning starter but how well is training gonna prepare him for the brutality of AMA Supercross?  The whole of Europe could be behind him – especially if he wins!
  

  Jorge Prado is an exciting addition to the field in the early SX season before MXGP will call him back. (Image: GASGAS Motorsports)