A New World - Supermotocross

Posted on August 03, 2022

No being an expert on AMA supercross or motocross, I can’t get too deep on what is happening over there at the moment, but of course, as motocross and supercross fans, we all have opinions. Firstly, any change is good in my opinion and the thought of a three-round series at the end of the AMA supercross and AMA motocross season sounds like fun.

Of course, it might come with some things that disappoint a lot of us. Firstly, where does the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations come into this, as it sounds like the AMA season will start in January and end in October and the MXoN is often the last weekend in September and the first weekend in October. Yes, the biggest race in the World is in some danger of losing Team USA.

When you add that the World supercross championship will also be running until the end of 2023, then it isn’t hard to see the MXoN will more than likely be a second option for many riders. The top 22 for 250 and 450 riders in America will do this new Supermotocross World championship and to be honest, if the tracks are actually similar to the supermotocross event Infront ran in Germany many years ago, then some GP riders might want to enter the three-round series. With big money up for grabs, who knows who entered.

The move by Feld and MXsports is clearly to defend keeping their riders in America and not joining the World supercross championship, which I get, but it does seem a little greedy. Sure, America started the first major supercross series (they didn’t start supercross, that was in some of the Eastern European countries long before USA got hold of it) and you expect them to want to keep their riders.

While I am still on the fence about the World supercross championship, I agree the World should get to see the best supercross riders and not just hold them up in USA. AMA supercross, along with MXGP and AMA motocross is one of the biggest series in the World and while MXGP gets to more televisions and countries, than the other two series and covering a much bigger Worldwide audience and races all around the World, countries like Australia and France really get into their AMA racing, as do places like England and South America.

The fact AMA riders are often complaining about the long American calendar and the fact the AMA Nationals have dropped a round to fit into this new series in 2023, shows the important for that series, because if the World supercross championship does take off, then the AMA nationals is in big danger of losing a bunch of the elite riders.

Already we see big names joining the 2023 World supercross championship and who knows what happens with guys like Ken Roczen or Eli Tomac, who have both mentioned the 2023 outdoor season is either not on their calendar, or possibly not. I don’t think Feld or MXSports saw that coming so quickly. Older AMA riders, similar to the older golfers, who joined the new Liv gold series, are probably looking for a big pay out before retirement.

I have to admit, seeing riders who make millions from a very small sport and complaining about the promoters doesn’t sit well with me. Companies like Feld, MXsports and Infront have created amazing championships, while we see many domestic championships Worldwide struggle big time, be it in Australia, South Africa, Belgium, Holland, New Zealand or the UK. With big coverage and great possibilities for the teams and riders involved the big three series are giving our sport a solid future, while the domestic scene in those countries mentioned seems to be riding on the edge of extinction. If a rider thinks he can make more somewhere else, then go for it, but the big three are solid, long running series that have not only poured huge amounts of money in their series, but also presented something we all love.

Worldwide coverage from all three series and as I said, the top guys are all millionaires, this from a sport that is only really known between the serious fans. There are bigger sports, where the competitors are making less. If I tell somebody in my travels I work in motocross, nearly nobody knows what it is. Even in Holland, where Jeffrey Herlings is one of the top sportsmen, many don’t have a clue what motocross is. So be happy riders and teams, because without Feld, MXsports and Infront, we have a completely different look from the sport we all love, and it isn’t a better look, it is the same look we have in all the domestic championships I mentioned. Lack of riders, small crowds and less and less money for the riders.

I know I got off track, but what happens in the next 24 months might just see our sport change forever and you can be worried, or excited. I am not sure which one to feel.