The end of silly season is near. Most deals have been signed and riders are making last minute preparations for the 2014 Monster Energy Supercross opener at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA January 4. We take a look at the latest happenings, and give you an updated guide of who will be where in 2014.
Red Bull KTM
Marvin Musquin
Dean Ferris
Ryan Dungey (450)
Ken Roczen (450)
ADDED: Dean Ferris
NOTES: Ken Roczen will move up and be paired alongside Ryan Dungey in the 450 Class. Marvin Musquin suffered a torn ACL recently that will keep him out for most of Monster Energy Supercross 250SX East Region. The team has yet to announce if they will bring in a replacement rider for the Frenchman. Newcomer Dean Ferris, an Australian, competed in MX2 (GPs) last season, winning his first career overall at the Grand Prix of Belgium. Next year will be Ferris’ first season competing in the U.S.
Rockstar Energy Racing KTM
Jason Anderson
Joey Savatgy
Cole Thompson (350 West Coast, 250 East Coast)
Ivan Tedesco (450)
Davi Millsaps (450)
GONE FROM LAST YEAR: Ryan Sipes, Blake Wharton, Nico Izzi
ADDED: Joey Savatgy, Ivan Tedesco
NOTES: Rockstar Energy Racing will switch from Suzuki to KTM. Injuries have devastated this team during the off-season. Davi Millsaps suffered a right knee injury testing and is expected to miss significant time. The team has yet to announce the extent of the injury. Newly acquired Joey Savatgy crashed while testing and suffered a broken wrist, an AC separation, broken ribs and partially collapsed lungs. It is unknown at this time if the 2013 SX Rookie of the Year will be ready in time for the 250SX East Region—with those injuries it doesn't seem likely. Ivan Tedesco returns following a year off as a fill-in for Davi Millsaps. Tedesco has indicated that if he's performing well the team will keep him on for the full season even if Millsaps returns. Cole Thompson will fill-in for the injured Joey Savatgy. Thompson will ride the 350 SX-F during the west rounds before switching to the 250F for the 250SX East Region.
Ken Roczen is making the transition to the 450 in 2014.
Simon Cudby photo
BTOSports KTM
Matt Goerke
Andrew Short
GONE FROM LAST YEAR: Michael Byrne
NOTES: After joining the team midway through supercross, Andrew Short signed a two-year extension during the summer, keeping him on the team through 2015. Goerke also re-signed for ’14. Byrne continues to have leg problems associated with an injury that dates back to Unadilla in 2012. He may end up working with the team as a rider coach or in other duties.
Monster Energy Kawasaki
Ryan Villopoto
Jake Weimer
NOTES: Monster Energy Kawasaki has Ryan Villopoto locked in for two more years. Jake Weimer will enter the second year of his two-year deal in 2014.
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki
Adam Cianciarulo
Martin Davalos
Darryn Durham
Justin Hill
Blake Baggett
Dean Wilson
GONE FROM LAST YEAR: Tyla Rattray
NOTES: The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki fleet has been trimmed by one with Tyla Rattray heading back to Europe to contend the GPs with factory Husqvarna. Dean Wilson will contest both Monster Energy Supercross and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross on the 250. Blake Baggett suffered a broken foot while testing during the off-season, but hopes to be ready for the East Region. Amateur rider Thomas Covington is expected to join the team come Hangtown.
Discount Tire Racing (TwoTwo Motorsports)
Chad Reed
NOTES: Reed answered two major questions this off-sesaon: his title sponsor (Discount Tire) and what brand he will ride (Kawasaki).
Joey Savatgy may miss the 2014 Monster Energy Supercross season following an off-season injury.
Simon Cudby photo
Team Honda Muscle Milk
Justin Barcia
Trey Canard
NOTES: Trey Canard broke his arm testing for the upcoming season and is expected to miss some time. The team is not expected to bring in another rider, and will instead wait for Canard to return.
GEICO Honda
Matt Bisceglia
Zach Bell
Justin Bogle
Zach Osborne
Blake Wharton
Wil Hahn (450)
Eli Tomac (450)
GONE FROM LAST YEAR: Kevin Windham
ADDED: Matt Bisceglia, Blake Wharton
NOTES: GEICO Honda will undergo significant changes entering the 2014 season. Eli Tomac and Wil Hahn re-signed to race 450s indoors. Tomac will race the 450 outdoors, with Hahn moving back down to the 250. The team brought back veteran Blake Wharton, who rode for the team from 2008-2011, to fill Justin Bogle's spot. Bogle is expected to miss part of the 250SX East Region with five broken vertebra and a broken shoulder blade. Reigning Horizon Award winner Matt Bisceglia joins the team for his rookie season.
Lucas Oil/Troy Lee Designs Honda
Cole Seely
Jessy Nelson
Shane McElrath
Malcolm Stewart
GONE FROM LAST YEAR: Christian Craig
ADDED: Shane McElrath, Malcolm Stewart
NOTES: Christian Craig announced his retirement from professional racing this off-season and will not return to the team. (You can read more about it here.) Rookie Shane McElrath will join Jessy Nelson, Malcolm Stewart and Cole Seely in the 250SX West Region, as the team does not race east. Stewart is expected to move to the 450 Class for Lucas Oil Pro Motocross.
Yoshimura Suzuki
James Stewart
NOTES: No changes to the Yoshimura Suzuki team.
Shane McElrath will make his SX rookie debut at A1.
Simon Cudby photo
RCH Racing Dodge/Sycuan Suzuki
Josh Hill
Broc Tickle
NOTES: Broc Tickle returns for his second year with the team. RCH went after both Chad Reed and Eli Tomac in the off-season, but Tomac returned to GEICO Honda and Reed stayed with his own team. Josh Hill returns to compete in both Monster Energy Supercross and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross. Last year Hill was SX only.
Toyota/JGR Yamaha
Justin Brayton
Josh Grant
Phil Nicoletti
ADDED: Phil Nicoletti
NOTES: Justin Brayton returns for the second year of a two-year deal. Josh Grant re-signed with the team in September. Phil Nicoletti signed with the team for six races (three in Monster Energy Supercross and three in Lucas Oil Pro Motocross) and will fill-in if Justin Brayton or Josh Grant suffers an injury during the season.
MyPlash/Metal Mulisha/Star Racing Yamaha
Jeremy Martin
Anthony Rodriguez
Cooper Webb
ADDED: Anthony Rodriguez
NOTES: Last year’s dynamic rookie duo of Jeremy Martin and Cooper Webb return to form a young 1-2 punch for Star Racing. Anthony Rodriguez, who has battled injuries the past few years in the amateur ranks, will make his pro rookie debut for the team in the East Region. This team also has a few amateur riders locked in.
CycleTrader.com Rock River Yamaha
Ben LaMay
Alex Martin
Greg Gehrer
Kyle Chisholm
NOTES: Rock River announced a formal title sponsor for 2014 in CycleTrader.com. Ben LaMay returns to the team to compete in the 450 Class. After joining the team mid-way through Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Alex Martin is returning for a full season in the 250 Class. The team has announced that Kyle Chisholm will also be on the team for Monster Energy Supercross.
Blake Baggett suffered an off-season foot injury, but hopes to be ready in time for the East Region.
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit photo
MotoConcepts
Mike Alessi
Kyle Cunningham
ADDED: Kyle Cunningham
NOTES: Mike Alessi returns after re-signing with the team during the season. Kyle Cunningham joins the team after spending last year with MyPlash/Star Racing Yamaha. (Read more about his switch here). The team is expected to add another member for 2014 and is running an "Scholarship" program to fill that spot.
Moto Mafia Crew
Nick Wey
NOTES: After returning from injuries suffered in 2012 for an outdoor run last year, Wey will make his return to stadium racing in 2014. He'll be on Kawasakis.
JAB Motorsports
Matt Lemoine
NOTES: After suffering a torn ACL in Monster Energy Supercross in 2013, Matt Lemoine will be back with JAB Motorsports in 2014. Lemoine is still unsure if he will be racing the 450 or 250 for 2014, as he told Racer X in September.
51 FIFTY Energy
Jake Canada
NOTES: Going into its third year of racing, 51 Fifty Energy has tabbed Jake Canada to compete in the 250SX West Region for 2014.
Valli Motorsports Yamaha
Christophe Pourcel
NOTES: Yes, you read that correctly, Christophe Pourcel is back. He will ride for Valli Motorsports on a 250 in the 2014 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. The team will not contest Monster Energy Supercross.
Josh Hill is returning to RCH Racing for 2014.
Simon Cudby photo
MotoSport.com/Crossland Racing
Jimmy Albertson
NOTES: Jimmy Albertson talked with us recently about his new deal.
AG Motorsports
Kyle Peters
NOTES: Kyle Peters returns for another year with AG Motorsports. Kyle spoke with us about the decision.
Factory Metal Works Club MX Racing
Vince Friese
AJ Catanzaro
Jace Owen
NOTES: Vince Friese may contest a number of West Region races on the 450, but his main goal is the 250SX East series. Catanzaro and Owen will also be racing the 250SX East Region.
Bud Racing Kawasaki
Valentin Teillet
NOTES: Bud Racing Kawasaki is a well-established GP team that is embarking on Monster Energy Supercross this season for the first time. Leading the team will be Valentin Teillet in the 250SX West Region.
Team DirtCandy Graphics
Ronnie Stewart
Robert Lind
NOTES: Robert Lind will be competing in his first Monster Energy Supercross season with the newly formed Team DirtCandy Graphics. Veteran Ronnie Stewart will make up the other part of the team.
Team Tedder/Monster Energy Racing
Dakota Tedder
Strikt Slaton Yamaha
Scott Champion
Zach Freeberg
Preston Mull
Team Crosley Radio/RiderSurance/Bee Line/ H & O Contracting
Jake Baumert
Eli Tomac is moving up to the 450 Class in 2014.
Simon Cudby photo
Others:
Austin Politelli parted ways with Strikt Slaton Yamaha and rumors are that he may be joining Larry Brooks' new team.
Jimmy Decotis announced that his title sponsor next year will be Riverside Harley Davidson.
Weston Peick will receive help from MotoSport.com (among other sponsors) this year and will be back on Suzukis.
Chris Blose has yet to secure a ride for 2014. He is trying to put something together on his own and said he wants to do the West Coast 450 rounds and maybe more if possible.
Gavin Faith will be racing a privateer effort for the 250SX East Region.
Tyler Bereman is recovering from ACL surgery and is hoping to race the 250SX East Region.
Ryan Sipes announced his retirement from racing. Sipes mentioned he might compete in some off-road events next season.
