Six years into a switch from 20 laps to 20-minute main events, Monster Energy AMA Supercross seems closer than ever. Is it? And why?

“Skim!” That’s what Justin Barcia’s pit board read at the Seattle Supercross. As tracks break down in stadium racing, whoops often become jumpers, and so Barcia, normally from the skim-till-you-die school of whoop riding, gave up too early in Seattle. These whoops could still be skimmed, which would be faster. Barcia’s Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull GasGas team noticed, radioed down to mechanic Cody Champagne, and he sent the message.

“‘Skim, idiot!’ is what it should have said,” laughs Barcia. But it’s understandable why he was hesitant. In the new era of 20-minute main events (which started in 2017) and fire-breathing 450 four-strokes, tracks break down quickly, and less risky salvage lines become habit, even for hard-chargers like Barcia. Where races were once won with starts and sprints, mid-race adjustments make all the difference now.