Anstie: “Doing the World Supercross Championship was a major part of the switch”

A two-time World Supercross Championship SX2 champion, a primary reason why he left Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing for ClubMX Yamaha was that he wanted to, almost desperately, compete in the 2026 FIM World Supercross Championship.

“Yeah, doing the World Supercross Championship was a major part of the switch,” explained Anstie. “For me, obviously being the two-time World Supercross champion and having the number one plate, but also being able to race worldwide, I just like where it’s headed. Dude, I just like the people and I like the championship and I think it’s definitely growing and to be able to showcase supercross globally is pretty cool. I’m definitely excited about it. Each year it is getting bigger and bigger and with more and more rounds. I feel like now we are getting world class riders from all around the world being able to race it. It’s cool and definitely something that’s special to be a part of in this point of my career. It’s pretty awesome.”

Anstie explained how the deal and organizational switch fell into place.

“Basically, I was with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing crew and their team primarily focuses just on the U.S. stuff. The deal didn’t work out. For one reason or another, they wouldn’t let me do the first round of World Supercross in Canada. And then at the end of the day, they’ve got a lot of riders and I really wanted to focus on the World Supercross Championship and make the most of it and race round one. I want to help the team win the championship and I want to be there for the championship myself. I need to race round one. Especially because I hadn’t raced any outdoors this year. Basically, Star Racing and myself, we’re good. Everyone there is fantastic. We just decided that it was best to part ways, but in a way that it was good. It wasn’t a bad feeling or anything like that. It was just better for me to make the move and then it freed up some space for those guys. My plan shifted and full focus on this next challenge.”

The ClubMX Yamaha outfit is straight-up stoked to have Anstie. Brandon Haas, owner of ClubMX recently told Racer X Online, “Max isn’t just an investment in our race team. He’s an investment in our culture. He gives every rider in our program a daily example what it looks like to compete and carry yourself like a champion.”

Anstie weighed in on the ClubMX program and where he fits into his new surroundings.

“The whole thing here is to try and build and grow,” said Anstie. “It has definitely been a good welcome with everyone at the Rick Ware Racing crew. They are doing the job, you know? Those guys collaborated with ClubMX with the bike and all that kind of stuff and now that I know I’m on a platform that’s capable of letting me go win and defend this thing, it’s exciting. It’s an exciting challenge and nice and refreshing to be able to work with some new people and some good people. I’m really pleased with how it all worked out. . I like the vibe. I like the people. I like the feeling of it all.

“So it’s a joint effort,” furthered Anstie and it’s connection to partner and teammates Rick Ware Racing. “So the 250 side of Rick Ware Racing, they collaborated with ClubMX. It’s the Yamaha 250 and all that stuff. And from being able to compete in the World Supercross Championship, they’re also going to be involved with my side of things in the U.S. in supercross next year too. ClubMX and Rick Ware Racing are kind of partnered together to make this deal happen with me and to bring the best of both worlds with all the people that we have involved. We want to be able to really focus on World Supercross and of course U.S. supercross next year. That’s our main goal. To be able to have the best of both worlds with the two teams kind of working together with each other is excellent. There is the Rick Ware Racing stuff for World Supercross and then the ClubMX guys for the U.S. stuff. It’s impressive and I’m pumped with the way that it has all kind of worked out because these deals don’t happen often where you can race World Supercross and supercross only and really focus on all of that and go execute and build the right team of people and the right group to have around you. The facility here at ClubMX is pretty impressive. It is massive gyms with recovery centers. It’s a whole wellness center itself! They’ve got the physio sports guys and nutritionists and psychologists. It feels like I’m on a football team. It feels like I’m playing for Manchester United, but I’m riding a dirt bike! It’s pretty special. I definitely feel like I’ve come to this place at the right time in my career and I’m excited to see how it all pans out. So I’m racing World Supercross this year. I’m going to do the three playoff rounds and then next year, 2027, I’ll do West or East Region in supercross. I’m not sure if I’ll race West or East. We’re still working on that. I’m 250 class and full focus will be on the U.S. Supercross Championship next year. I’ll also do World Supercross again next year and the SMX Playoff rounds. That’s my plan.”