Matthes: Second 450 Spot on Monster Energy Kawasaki Goes to Garrett Marchbanks
It appears that Monster Energy Kawasaki have settled on the second rider for 2026 alongside Chase Sexton and it's Garrett Marchbanks. There was talk of putting Marchbanks’ teammate Cameron McAdoo up, and McAdoo had been riding a 450 lately, but in the end, it was Marchbanks who has ridden a 450 both in Monster Energy AMA Supercross (one main event start) and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship before with the Muc-Off/FXR/ClubMX team. Now, I had heard that Marchbanks had said no earlier when asked about moving to the 450, but I'm guessing he got some sort of incentive with another year contract (he did a one-year deal with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki for 2026), or maybe he got to keep some gear money. I think something was thrown at Marchbanks because, like I said, I heard earlier he said no.
It's a good pick for Kawasaki with what was left out there for 450 spots after the Jorge Prado debacle left them hanging. Marchbanks will do well for the team. He's obviously a bigger guy and he's got experience in the class. Poor Valentin Guillod, he was really hoping to get a tryout for the spot!
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