The seventh round of the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross Championship went down over the weekend at the FXR Spring Creek National in Millville, MN. And, just like all the previous rounds, there were plenty of unique instances and sequences to break down. To better understand everything that happened on Saturday, we sent questions to former pro and NBC trackside analyst, Jason Thomas.
Jason Anderson had one of the weirdest looking crashes ever during qualifying when he inexplicably went over the bars when remounting after a crash. Any idea on what happened?
Yeah, that was interesting! The important variable is that he was on a nearly vertical decline. Television does no justice to the grade of that descent. So, when he’s remounting, he’s attempting to side saddle hop onto his 450. It looked like his foot slipped on the footpeg and he grabbed the front brakes as he was not mounting as he wished. With extremely powerful front brakes and an extremely steep descent, that immediately sent him over the bars. None of that happens without being on a nearly vertical hill like that.
Spring Creek is full of sections that require momentum. How hard is it to maintain momentum in corners while protecting a lead?
It takes patience and an understanding of what lowers lap times. Many mistakenly believe that going fast is the result of unbridled aggression and slamming into berms. While that can be fast to an extent, taking it to the next level requires a handshake with the racetrack versus trying to slap it around. The tough part, to the question, is maintaining that patience and superior technique when under pressure. Everything in one’s psyche is screaming to be more aggressive and push harder but if not done appropriately, it only exacerbates the struggle.
A lot of time can be made, or lost, in the sand whoops. What was the key to getting through them this year at a rapid pace?
The first chicane and following first few whoops are absolutely pivotal in how much time was gained or lost. Momentum is the name of the game. With it, riders can carry it all the way through the section (and even do that triple). If speed and momentum are lost by fouling up the first few, it’s going to be a long, time-losing slog till the left hander. The difference in speed was able to be seen visually when riders got it correct or when they didn’t. This has been the same dynamic for years.
Rain fell before the second 250 moto. How did that affect the track, and what’s it like to have to get back up to race pace after crashing in the mud?
It had a huge effect and was easily seen by all of the chaos. The first turn crash was caused by the rain, as were most of the other issues. I was a bit surprised they didn’t rework some of the sections after the rain but I’m not sure if the tractors could get to them in the wet conditions.
After a crash it’s a really tough thing to try to get back to speed. Your gloves are covered in mud and likely the grips also. That means control of the motorcycle is compromised. The side of the motorcycle is also muddy, as are a rider’s pants. That leads to sliding around and losing grip from their legs. All of the techniques used to go fast are often thrown out the window because riders can’t hold on like they normally would.
Talk about what it was like to make passes on this year’s track. Were riders forced to plan moves half a lap in advance?
Spring Creek has specific passing zones that riders are aware of. Portions of the track are more about staying close and conserving energy while others are an all out blitz to pass or be passed. Knowing which are which is a big component of success. There were times where it looked like a pass might happen (especially in the 250 motos) but it just never seemed to stick. Those are the sections where blocking is a bit easier. They could almost get alongside and almost force a move, but in the end, the likelihood was low.
Levi Kitchen was unreal at Spring Creek, in the dry and the mud. How on Earth does a rider suddenly turn the corner like that? Other than outright speed, did you notice anything different about him at Spring Creek?
Levi has mentioned that they are still working through the newness of the Kawasaki on a different track each week. He mentioned the bike being too soft at the start of the season and slowly finding the right combination to make it stiffer, properly. He looks like he’s back on opening-round form. It’s hard to say why intensity and top-tier performance can be fleeting at times. The season is long and sometimes the fall off is simply organic. He certainly found it this weekend, though.
What do you think was going on with Jo Shimoda in the first 250 moto? He was on fire, then dropped back and lost a few spots. Did he get tired?
It seemed like he lost some intensity when he wasn’t able to get around Kitchen. He may have “blown up” trying to get to the lead. That phrase is used when a rider goes too hard and their heart rate pushes to an unsustainable level, forcing them to back down. If any rider sprints for long enough, that will happen. Everyone’s threshold is different.
Casey Cochran, out of nowhere, was third overall. Yes, he was aided by the misfortune of others in the second moto, but he still had to execute, which he did brilliantly. What’d you notice about him that was different than in races past?
He rode very well but being opportunistic was the key. He got a good start and stayed out of trouble in the early laps. Further, he stayed clean, kept clear vision, and stayed dry. He was able to ride normally while others were soaked in mud and likely couldn’t see very well. He didn’t need to be head and shoulders better than everyone when they are unable to ride at their best due to the mud and muck that comes with being mired mid-pack. He put himself in a position to succeed and capitalized.
Dilan Schwartz had a breakout ride at Spring Creek, going 10-6 for fifth overall. Did the cards just happen to fall his way, or was he excelling somewhere on this particular track?
I think the first moto was on the upper end of where he can consistently finish. He can get a tenth, and regularly. The second moto was similar to Cochran’s moto, where he took advantage of the situation and capitalized fully. The door is not always open but when it is, riders have to walk through it. Schwartz did a great job of that in the second moto.
Chase Sexton is in the groove right now and is operating on another level. Do you think he’s been able to execute better with the lack of pressure created by the absence of Jett Lawrence?
I firmly believe he is much more confident without Lawrence on the racetrack. If you remove the rider who had won 28 of the last 32 motos, it’s only natural to draw a correlation to everyone having more confidence. Sexton was the rider everyone pegged as “next” coming out of 2022 Pro Motocross and 2023 Monster Energy Supercross. Jett stole that headline away but in his absence, it sure feels like Chase is making himself at home.
Hunter Lawrence rode behind Justin Cooper for a while in the second 450 moto, but seemed to make the pass immediately when Sexton started getting close. If he was able to do that, why didn’t he do it right away?
I think Lawrence was letting the race unfold. If Sexton was willing to sit back and let laps pass without pushing the intensity, it seemed that Lawrence would also. That would have likely served Lawrence well as he could conserve energy for a hard push at the end. When Sexton ramped up the urgency, Lawrence sensed it and responded. He immediately went past Cooper and they dropped their lap times significantly. Unfortunately for Lawrence, he isn’t in a place to hold that surge of intensity yet. Sexton has a fitness edge on the field and is using it when needed. In the motos where he’s riding his best, the combination of being the fittest and the fastest is going to be hard to beat.
