On September 25, Levi Kitchen thanked the Monster Energy Yamaha team for their hard work the last three years, confirming his departure from the factory Yamaha 250cc team. It was expected Kitchen would be joining Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki team for the 2024 season, and before the end of last week the Washington native was seen testing on a #43 PC Kawasaki KX250 at public tracks in California. Now, it is official: Kawasaki has released its 2024 450 and 250 rosters, and with Kitchen on the list Mitch Payton’s 250 team. Plus, Maximus Vohland also makes the move to the team.
Note, Kitchen was seen testing a #43 bike last week, but we expect him to move to #47 as a career number starting in 2024. Stay tuned for an official press release from the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) on the ’24 national numbers very soon.
As for Vohland, the long-time KTM rider also thanked the orange squad for supporting him for his first few years as a pro. Vohland will join Kitchen on a PC Kawasaki KX250 for 2024. Below is his Instagram post thanking KTM.
“I want to thank KTM and Red Bull for all their support over the years. My first sponsor was KTM Orange Brigade amateur program. We eventually moved up to the TLD KTM racing team and finally into the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team.
The last three years have been an incredible experience; thank you to all the team and staff that made this possible.
Special thanks to Ian and Roger for the opportunity.
My mechanics: @austindw198 and @rowenwrench
WP Suspension: Matt, Ryo, and Jim.
and, of course Stephanie.
It has been a great ride.
Thanks”
Cameron McAdoo, Seth Hammaker and Austin Forkner return to the team for 2024. Jo Shimoda has departed, and we believe he is headed for Honda HRC. Jett Reynolds was not announced as part of the 2024 lineup, and we're yet to see where he might land. Ryder DiFrancesco has moved to Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull GasGas.
Below is the full press release from Kawasaki:
Monster Energy® Kawasaki Announces 2024 SuperMotocross World Championship Roster
Foothill Ranch, Calif. (October 2, 2023) - Monster Energy® Kawasaki and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki are ready for more world-class racing in 2024. The Monster Energy Kawasaki racing teams will compete against the top supercross and motocross talents from around the world as they look to compete for the 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, the AMA Pro Motocross Championship and the revolutionary SuperMotocross World Championship.
Monster Energy Kawasaki will continue with its two title favorites in the 450 class aboard the all-new 2024 KX™450. Kawasaki Team Green™ alumni, 2019 250MX Champion, 2019 Monster Energy Cup Champion and 2020 AMA Pro Motocross runner-up Adam Cianciarulo will compete for his fifth year alongside 2018 Monster Energy Supercross Champion and 2022 Supercross runner-up Jason Anderson. In the 250 Class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki is set to lineup with established race winners, Austin Forkner, Cameron McAdoo, and Seth Hammaker, while also welcoming the championship contenders Levi Kitchen and Maximus Vohland.
Cianciarulo will line up with Monster Energy Kawasaki in 2024 to continue his notable 19-year partnership with Kawasaki as he enters his fifth year of 450 Class racing. The No. 9 graduated through the Kawasaki Team Green™ program on his way to the 2019 AMA Pro Motocross 250 Championship, 2020 Pro Motocross Rookie of the Year and a total of 21 combined professional SMX wins. After completing the entire 2023 season injury-free, Cianciarulo is set to capitalize on a full off-season of preparation riding the new 2024 KX™450 with the team to be in prime form for his 2024 Championship efforts.
Anderson and his KX™450SR proved to be a strong duo throughout the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross Championship, earning seven Top-5 finishes. After injury at Round 15 of Supercross, Anderson carried his success into the Pro Motocross Championship where he claimed four Top-5 finishes and two overall podiums. Looking forward to the Monster Energy Supercross Championship, Pro Motocross Championship and SuperMotocross World Championship in 2024, Anderson aims to continue his fight for premier class supremacy.
“We have great confidence in our 2024 team roster and are excited to introduce the all-new KX™450SR," said Kawasaki Racing Senior Manager, Dan Fahie. "We finished the 2023 SMX season strong and playoffs provides us with a strong foundation as we enter the off-season."
Supported by an astonishing 31 years of professional racing success, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki race team will contest the 2024 SuperMotocross World Championship with a new lineup. The team who has achieved an unmatched 294 combined SMX wins, and 31 total championships, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki is gearing up for more victories with Forkner, McAdoo, Hammaker, Kitchen and Vohland.
Entering his ninth year with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki, Forkner's impressive 13 victories position him as a top contender for the championship in 2024. This seasoned 250 Class rider is primed to clinch his inaugural professional championship.
McAdoo earned his 17th Monster Energy Supercross podium in 2023 before an injury after Round 5 sidelined him the remainder of the 2023 season. The Iowa native aims to come back stronger than ever and build upon his success with a full championship campaign in the year ahead.
As Hammaker lines up for his fourth year in the professional circuit, his supercross Main Event win and his five podium finishes attest to his readiness to contend for the championship throughout the season.
“We have a proven group of five riders for the 2024 racing season. Austin was able to race Pro Motocross this year and will be ready for the new season," said Pro Circuit Owner, Mitch Payton. "Seth had a major setback, but we are looking forward to his comeback. Cameron has been training on the bike and we are excited to have him back in the mix. Levi had an impressive 2023 season with great starts and a moto win at the last SMX race at Los Angeles Coliseum. Finally, we anticipate Max to shine on his KX™250 in 2024. Overall, I am looking forward to each rider on the team to challenge for wins and championships.”
New to the team, Kitchen and Vohland look to infuse their skill, determination and passion into the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki lineup for the 2024 season. These rising stars in the motocross realm are determined to achieve even more remarkable results in the upcoming year. With a combined track record that includes Kitchen's outstanding eight podium finishes and a main event victory, alongside Vohland's impressive 10 Top-5 finishes, positions them as premier contenders in the class.
Levi Kitchen:
“I am super excited for my future with Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki. I am ready to have a fresh start on a new team and put the KX™250 on top.”
Max Vohland:
“I am beyond thrilled to get on a new bike, especially with Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki. The power behind these machines are incredible and I am looking forward to my future with the team.”
As for the Monster Energy Kawasaki 450 lineup, it will remain the same for 2024, as expected. Kawasaki wrapped up the '23 season for both Adam Cianciarulo and Jason Anderson at the Los Angeles SMX finale, and both riders did some testing on the all-new 2024 KX450 in the days after the race.
Adam Cianciarulo:
“I had a good run in Moto 1 and a tough one in Moto 2. We are ending the season healthy and ready to keep improving for 2024. We have an all-new KX™450 that I’m really looking forward to preparing for next year.”
Jason Anderson:
“Today was a great way to end the year. I felt great coming into this weekend and although I had a mistake in the first moto, I'm pumped to be able to finish the year strong on my KX™450SR.”