With the 2016 season of Monster Energy Supercross, an FIM World Championship, fast approaching, it’s time for a peak at what the paddock will look like next year. There haven’t been as many changes this season as we’ve seen in the past, but there have still been a few. We’ve released a couple versions of this list already, but some things have changed during that time.
Where is your favorite rider headed next year? Take a look below.
GEICO Honda
| #39 | Jordon Smith | 250SX |
| #31 | RJ Hampshire | 250SX |
| #50 | Malcolm Stewart | 250SX |
| #38 | Christian Craig | 250SX |
| #58 | Jimmy Decotis | 250SX |
| #19 | Justin Bogle | 450SX |
Notes: Jordon Smith, RJ Hampshire, and Malcolm Stewart all return for a second year. Christian Craig, who hasn’t competed in Monster Energy Supercross since 2013, signed a deal to stay with the team in July.
Jimmy Decotis, who is coming off a SX2 title in Australia and rode for the team as a fill-in in 2011, could be an insurance policy for the team as Hampshire’s status for supercross is up in the air after he sustained a severe head injury at Red Bull Straight Rhythm.
Nothing official has been announced on which coast each will ride.
A lot of rumors surrounded Justin Bogle this off-season, including being linked to the Monster/Yamaha deal with Chad Reed, but he will return to GEICO Honda. Like Eli Tomac last year, Bogle will be pitting out of the HRC Honda rig and racing a 450. Bogle’s spent his entire career with the team.
HRC Honda
| #41 | Trey Canard | 450SX |
| #14 | Cole Seely | 450SX |
Notes: Cole Seely enters year two of what the team called a “multi-year contract” in 2014. Seely won 2015 SX Rookie of the Year honors during a season that included one win and four additional podium finishes.
Canard signed a two-year extension with the team in 2014. Last season, Canard had seven podiums and two wins prior to breaking his arm at the Detroit Supercross and missing the remainder of the supercross season.
Crossland Racing
| #40 | Kyle Peters | 250SX West Region |
| TBD | Chase Marquier | 250SX West Region |
Notes: Rumors floated around this off-season that the team was shutting down, but they will be back in 2016, under a much tighter effort.
Peters returns for a second season and will be joined by rookie Chase Marquier. Both will race the West Region.
Guy Cooper is not expected to return as team manager.
Yoshimura Suzuki
| #7 | James Stewart | 450SX |
| #4 | Blake Baggett | 450SX |
Notes: Suzuki stuck behind James Stewart during his sixteen-month suspension, signing the future Hall-of-Famer to a multi-year deal in June that will likely see Stewart be on the brand until he retires.
Blake Baggett was a pleasant surprise in Monster Energy Supercross during his rookie season, grabbing one podium and finishing fifth in points. He is back for a second year with the team.
RCH/Soaring Eagle/Jimmy John’s Suzuki
| #94 | Ken Roczen | 450SX |
| #20 | Broc Tickle | 450SX |
Notes: Following a turbulent first year with the team, Ken Roczen began to pull things together late in the season—winning a moto at the final round of Lucas Oil Pro Motocross and taking the Monster Energy Cup. The big change for Roczen, who underwent back surgery following the season, is the switch from Showa to KYB suspension.
Broc Tickle is back for his fourth year with the team.
MAD Racing powered by Yoshimura/Dirt Candy Suzuki
| #78 | Daniel Baker | 250SX West Region |
| #32 | Matt Bisceglia | 250SX East Region |
Notes: Daniel Baker and Matt Bisceglia signed two-year deals with the team. Baker turned pro at this year’s Hangtown National and spent his first season with KTM’s Orange Brigade.
After two seasons with GEICO Honda, Bisceglia joins the new 250 Suzuki team. Due to a shoulder injury sustained while testing, Bisceglia will move to the East Region, with Baker racing the West.
Former pro Robert Lind will serve as team manager.
Motorcycle Superstore Suzuki
| #45 | Kyle Cunningham | 250SX West Region |
| TBD | Mark Worth | 250SX West Region |
| #84 | Jimmy Albertson | 250SX East Region |
| TBD | Josh Osby | 250SX East Region |
Notes: Jimmy Albertson’s new team was announced recently, with Motorcycle Superstore serving as title sponsor. This is not a factory team as Albertson explained last week, but they will receive support.
Team MicroBilt/PRBC
| #88 | Ronnie Stewart | 450SX |
Notes: The team is working on strengthening its efforts after forming this year during the short break between Monster Energy Supercross and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross.
Red Bull KTM
| #1 | Ryan Dungey | 450SX |
| #25 | Marvin Musquin | 450SX |
| #15 | Dean Wilson | 450SX |
Notes: Ryan Dungey’s locked in with KTM through the 2017 season. The 26-year-old is coming off a season in which he won both 450 AMA Supercross and Motocross titles for the second time in his career—his first double since 2010.
Dean Wilson returns for the second year of a two-year deal. In his first year, Wilson sustained a torn ACL/MCL at the KTM test track in January and missed the majority of the season.
Marvin Musquin signed a two-year deal with KTM to begin his 450SX career in April. The 2015 250SX East Region Champion underwent wrist surgery following the Motocross of Nations but is expected to be ready for the season opener.
BTOSports.com/KTM
| #29 | Andrew Short | 450SX |
| #10 | Justin Brayton | 450SX |
| #18 | Davi Millsaps | 450SX |
Notes: Justin Brayton returns for the final year of a two-year deal. Brayton missed nine rounds of Monster Energy Supercross in 2015 due to injury.
Andrew Short injured his shoulder last week and underwent surgery to repair the damage. At this time, it’s not known if he will be ready for the season opener. Short also announced that 2016 will be his final year of professional racing.
After being released from his contract with Monster Energy Kawasaki, Millsaps missed all of Lucas Oil Pro Motocross before inking an SX-only (at this time) deal with the team in August.
Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull KTM
| #13 | Jessy Nelson | 250SX |
| #30 | Shane McElrath | 250SX |
| #36 | Justin Hill | 250SX |
| #TBA | Alex Frye | 250SX |
| #42 | Mitchell Oldenburg | 250SX |
Notes: Justin Hill was not let go from Red Bull KTM. The TLD KTM squad is now KTM’s official factory 250 effort.
Jessy Nelson and Shane McElrath both return and will be joined by new additions Mitchell Oldenburg, who signed with the team prior to the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, and rookie Alex Frye, who made his pro debut at Budds Creek with Orange Brigade KTM. Like Hill moving over from the factory team, Frye’s deal with the Orange Brigade was taken over by TLD.
McElrath sustained a wrist injury during a practice crash in November. This likely puts McElrath, who finished second in the 2015 250SX West Region, in the 250SX East Region.
After seven years, Lucas Oil and Troy Lee Designs have announced an end to their partnership. This could open the door for a new title sponsor.
Slaton Racing
| #103 | Zac Commans | 250SX West Region |
| #127 | Cole Thompson | 250SX West Region |
Notes: The team agreed to a deal with Thompson last week that will see him race the 250SX West Region before returning to race the Canadian Nationals this summer.
Commans, entering his first season in Monster Energy Supercross, will also race the West Region.
The team also announced that they will switch from Yamahas to KTMs next year.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
| #16 | Zach Osborne | 250SX West Region |
| #49 | Martin Davalos | 250SX East Region |
| #21 | Jason Anderson | 450SX |
| #377 | Christophe Pourcel | 450SX |
Notes: In August, Bobby Hewitt locked in his two 450 stars to long-term deals. Jason Anderson and the team agreed to an extension through the 2018 season. Anderson has spent his entire career with the team.
Christophe Pourcel, who signed with the team prior to the 2015 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross season, agreed to a deal through the 2017 season. Pourcel hasn't raced supercross in America since winning the 2010 250SX East Region title, and he has never raced it on a 450.
Zach Osborne and Martin Davalos both return for a second year. Davalos sustained a thumb injury that required surgery at the Monster Energy Cup, which should move him to the East Region.
AutoTrader.com/Toyota/JGR Yamaha
| #51 | Justin Barcia | 450SX |
| #28 | Weston Peick | 450SX |
| #34 | Phil Nicoletti | 450SX |
Notes: JGR has its man of the future, having locked up Justin Barcia through the 2018 season. This deal stamps the commitment of Joe Gibbs Racing to this sport for the long-term. Barcia finished third overall in 450MX in 2015, tying a career high.
Weston Peick and JGR agreed to a deal last May that will see the long-time privateer back on factory equipment through 2016. In his first year with the team, Peick finished tenth in 450SX and ninth in 450MX.
Phil Nicoletti’s deal is expected to remain the same as last year—fill-in rider for supercross, full-time rider for motocross.
The team is also expected to add Monster Energy as a supporting sponsor. Nothing official has been announced.
CycleTrader.com/Rock River Yamaha
| #46 | Luke Renzland | 250SX East Region |
| #69 | Colt Nichols | 250SX West Region |
Notes: Although the team has yet to announce anything official, Luke Renzland is expected to return for a second season and be joined by Colt Nichols (250).
Nichols spent last year with MotoSport.com/GPI/Crossland Racing Honda before tearing his ACL in St. Louis and missing the remainder of the season. He is expected to race the West Region, with Renzland on the East Region.
Kyle Partridge was expected to race 450SX with the team, but after breaking his C6 and C7 testing, he announced his retirement from racing. A replacement has yet to be named.
Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha
| #6 | Jeremy Martin | 250SX |
| #26 | Alex Martin | 250SX |
| #17 | Cooper Webb | 250SX |
| #23 | Aaron Plessinger | 250SX |
| #TBD | Mitchell Harrison | 250SX |
Notes: Star Racing is set for this year and beyond. Two-time 250 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Champion Jeremy Martin and 2015 250SX West Region Champion Cooper Webb both return for 2016. They will be joined by 2015 SX and MX Rookie of the Year Aaron Plessinger.
After two-plus seasons with CycleTrader.com/Rock River Yamaha, Alex Martin joins his younger brother Jeremy on Star Racing. Rookie Mitchell Harrison will be the fifth member of the team. Anthony Rodriguez, who spent the first two years of his professional career on the team, will not return.
Nothing official has been announced, but due to an injury at the Monster Energy Cup, Plessinger is expected to race the East Region. Webb has told us he would like to race the East Region, but may be forced to the West.
Blue Buffalo/Slater Skins Yamaha
| #85 | Michael Leib | 250SX West Region |
| TBD | Benny Bloss | 250SX East Region |
| TBD | Broc Schmelyun | 450SX |
Notes: 2015 Horizon Award winner Benny Bloss will contest the East Region, with Michael Leib expected to race the West. The Leib deal is expected to be made official this week.
Schmelyun, who was seriously injured in a frightening crash at the 2015 High Point National at Mount Morris, is expected to race select Monster Energy Supercross events on the East Coast in the 450 Class and a full season in Lucas Oil Pro Motocross.
Larry Brooks will serve as team manager.
51FIFTY Energy Drink Yamaha
| #72 | Hayden Mellross | 250SX West Region |
| #65 | Zach Bell | 250SX West Region |
Notes: The team agreed to a deal with former GEICO Honda and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider Zach Bell in November. Bell joins Australian Hayden Mellross on the team. Both will contest the West Region.
Barn Pros/Home Depot Yamaha
| #68 | Cole Martinez | 250SX West Region |
| #87 | Austin Politelli | 250SX West Region |
| #76 | Scott Champion | 250SX West Region |
Notes: In its second season, the Washington-based team has brought on three riders familiar with the Yamaha brand for 2016. Austin Politelli, who spent last year with 51Fifty Energy Yamaha, joins Cole Martinez and Scott Champion on the team. Both Champion and Martinez rode for Strikt-Slaton Yamaha in 2015.
Monster Energy Kawasaki
| #3 | Eli Tomac | 450SX |
| #54 | Wil Hahn | 450SX |
Notes: In a rather slow silly season, Eli Tomac was one of the few big names on the board. His deal with Monster Energy Kawasaki was announced on October 15. Tomac, who finished runner-up to Ryan Dungey in Monster Energy Supercross and won five straight motos to begin Lucas Oil Pro Motocross, is back on the bike after undergoing surgery on both shoulders following a crash at Thunder Valley. Tomac joins Kawasaki after spending his entire pro career with GEICO Honda.
Wil Hahn, who missed all of Monster Energy Supercross due to injury, returns for a second year with the team.
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki
| #44 | Adam Cianciarulo | 250SX |
| #35 | Chris Alldredge | 250SX |
| #53 | Tyler Bowers | 250SX |
| #66 | Arnaud Tonus | 250SX |
| #37 | Joey Savatgy | 250SX |
Notes: Mitch Payton's Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki team will go unchanged in 2016. Adam Cianciarulo, Chris Alldredge, Tyler Bowers, Arnaud Tonus, and Joey Savatgy will all return for next season.
Amateur sensation Austin Forkner will make his pro debut at the 2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross opener.
Payton is notorious for waiting until the last minute to announce which region each rider will contest, so don’t expect to see anything official until the week of Anaheim.
Team Tedder/Monster Energy Racing
| #151 | Dakota Tedder | 250SX West Region, 450SX East |
| #12 | Jake Weimer | 450SX |
Notes: Jake Weimer returns for a second year with the team. Dakota Tedder missed all of last season due to injury. He is expected to race the 250SX West Region and race the 450 Class when the series heads east.
Bud Racing/Monster Energy Kawasaki
| #98 | Darian Sanayei | 250SX West Region |
| TBD | Maxime Desprey | 250SX West Region |
NOTES: The team is expected to contest the first seven rounds of the 250SX West Region before heading to Europe to contest the European Motocross Championship in the EMX250 class.
Former Team Green standout Darian Sanayei will be joined by France’s 2015 Motocross National Champion Maxime Desprey. The team will be coached by former world champion David Vuillemin, who will “be in charge of the technical riding training and to be sure that the kids will be physically prepared.”
Traders Racing Kawasaki
| #62 | Justin Starling |
| #70 | Tony Archer |
| #73 | Nick Gaines |
Notes: Nothing is official at this time, but the team is expected to bring back all three riders from last year.
Smartop MotoConcepts Racing
| #800 | Mike Alessi | 450SX |
| #55 | Vince Friese | 450SX |
Notes: Vince Friese is expected to move up to the 450 in 2016. The team has yet to announce its plans for outdoors, but is expected to contest the entire 2016 Monster Energy Supercross season. Friese and Mike Alessi will both be on Hondas.
Team ROCKWELL
| #47 | Tommy Hahn | 450SX |
Notes: The team is also in negotiations with three additional 250SX riders. We hear one of the riders is South African Champion Kerim Fitzgerald. A bike brand has not been announced yet.
Strikt-Triple Effect Racing/US Racing
| #196 | Damon Back | 250SX West Region |
| #820 | Dalton Oxborrow | 250SX West Region |
| #91 | Brandon Scharer | 250SX West Region |
| #92 | Ryan Breece | 250SX West Region |
Notes: Marty Smith will manage the new partnership between Strikt, the Canadian gear company, Triple Effect (a graphic company) and US Racing.
Damon Back and Dalton Oxborrow will both compete on Kawasakis, while Brandon Scharer and Ryan Brecce will compete on Yamahas. All four riders will contest the 250SX West Region.
Others
#11 Kyle Chisholm – Chisholm has been in talks to sign with the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC squad and recently even posted a photo of a Honda in the back of his truck. We hear the deal is close to being done.
#22 Chad Reed – The only thing we know with Reed at this time is that Reed will be riding Yamahas next year. Where? That will have to wait.
#24 Brett Metcalfe – Metcalfe will once again spend his summer in Canada, having signed with the Rockstar Energy OTSFF Yamaha team. At this time, it’s unknown if Metcalfe will race Monster Energy Supercross in 2016. He raced the first six rounds in 2015.
#27 Nick Wey – Wey is expected to return for another year.
#33 Josh Grant – One of the big players still on the market, Grant spent last year with Discount Tire/TwoTwo Motorsports, before filling in at Monster Energy Kawasaki after TwoTwo folded. At this time, it’s not known what Grant will do next year, but if a top 450 rider gets hurt, expect him to get a phone call.
#43 Fredrik Noren – We hear Noren will be under his own effort for 2016 after a year at Crossland Racing. We will update once something official has been announced.
#48 Anthony Rodriguez – Details on a landing spot for the former Star rider are still up in the air.
#52 Ben LaMay – We haven’t heard what LaMay’s plans are for 2016. He started 2015 with CycleTrader.com/Rock River Yamaha, and ended it on a Munn Racing Husqvarna.
#59 Jace Owen – We’ve heard that Owen will do his own deal for the 250SX East Region.
#60 Matt LemoinE – Lemoine raced for JAB Motorsports Kawasaki in 2015, but halfway through the Nationals the team went off the road due to lack of funding. We haven’t heard Lemoine’s name connected to any 2016 deals.
#75 Josh Hill – Josh Hill announced his retirement from professional racing this off-season. He has taken on a role with Monster Energy.
#100 Josh Hansen - Josh Hansen announced over the weekend that he will be contesting the entire Monster Energy Arenacross tour in the UK in 2016. The final round of the UK Areancross series is February 27, the same night as the 250SX East Region opener in Atlanta, making it likely that Hansen will not return to Monster Energy Supercross next season.
#159 Darryn Durham – The former Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki and TLD KTM rider will be putting his own deal together and racing the 250SX East Region. Durham was injured at the West Region opener last year and missed the remainder of the season.
