On Tuesday we used The List to describe seasons on the rise, and riders who have probably overachieved based on expectations. Of course, that scale slides, because every rider has different goals. Heck, a few weeks ago Shane McElrath said he’s been struggling, and all he wants to do right now is just not get lapped!
Yes, expectations vary. Based on what we think the expectations would have or should have been coming into the season, here are some riders who definitely want more in the second half of the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross Championship.
Dylan Ferrandis: Dylan was very outspoken about his desire to get off the 2023 Yamaha YZ450F and try a Honda, which he’s had his eye on for years. He finally has one with Phoenix Racing Honda and Factory Connection, but from what we have heard it has been a steep learning curve for this team in its first real season of full-time 450 Pro Motocross with a rider of Ferrandis’ caliber. Ferrandis mentioned chasing some engine problems early in the season, for example. Phoenix Honda didn’t even race outdoors last year, and the Factory Connection component is brand new to them in ’24. Ferrandis’ results are not near his usual level, as he has just three fifths (his only top fives) and has essentially been a 5-8 guy so far. Last year, even while unhappy, he was only podium non-stop. This is the 2021 450 Pro Motocross Champion and the runner up in last year’s standings. The good news? One of those fifth-place finishes came in the last moto of the series, RedBud moto two. Is he starting to turn it around?
Joey Savatgy: Joey! There’s definitely some unfinished 250 business for a guy who won a ton of races and held the red plate a lot in this class, indoors and out. But pointing out of 250SX ruined his chances, it would seem, until Triumph came along with a Pro Motocross deal (which doesn’t have a 250 point out rule). Joey’s expectations were high, and he wanted to battle for the title. He started the season by nearly taking the fast qualifier award at around one, and then took fifth in the first moto of the year. A first turn crash ruined his Fox Raceway overall, but he looked good! Then he had a mechanical problem at Hangtown, and it’s been rough since. RedBud was the bottom, as he crashed out for the day. Turns out Triumph’s first-year effort will indeed end up looking like a first-year effort, but Joey is always going to put the blame on himself and no one else. The title is not a thing anymore, but can Joey at least get in the podium mix?
Levi Kitchen: There was a moment at Fox Raceway where it looked like Haiden Deegan was going to get penalized for going off the track, and Levi Kitchen was going to win the overall. Deegan and his team were able to prove that he did look over while off the track, and got off the gas momentarily, so he wasn’t penalized. Levi wasn’t upset, because it looked like there would be plenty of wins coming. He was right there with Haiden all day! Well, since then it hasn’t been close, Levi missed the podium in six-straight motos. Can he get it back?
Romano/Smith/Bennick: Deegan leading the series has obscured an odd summer for the rest of the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team, which has spent a decade putting multiple YZ250Fs up front outdoors. Daxton Bennick, a rookie, didn’t get a top ten moto finish until his eighth at RedBud’s moto two. Nick Romano hasn’t had a top ten yet. Jordon Smith has been good in spots and looked like he could get podiums this summer, but in the end, he has just one top five moto (a fourth). With any of these stories, it’s so hard to know what’s bike and what’s rider. Have the other teams simply caught up on the 250 front?
Tom Vialle: Can you say a guy third in points hasn’t delivered? Well, when the standards are 2024 Monster Energy East Region Supercross Champion and two-time MX2 FIM Motocross World Champion in MXGP, you probably can. Vialle hasn’t been bad, he’s just been good not great. He has one moto win and hasn’t been able to really apply consistent title pressure on Deegan, which is surely where he hoped to be. We’ve seen wild second-half title runs before. Vialle needs some luck on his side now.
Christian Craig: Poor Craig has been dealing with an elbow injury from hell, now lasting well over a year. We checked with him at RedBud, and he has had so many procedures on that arm that he basically has no tricep muscle at the moment. It looks straight-up weird, and rebuilding that is going to take a while. He does think he can, though. So, there’s a reason he hasn’t been near the front, but still, you know he’d like to be up there.
