MOTOCROSS ACTION MID-WEEK REPORT
Today at 01:13 PM
#WHIPITWEDNESDAY
Rider: Nico Izzi
Nico Izzi was one of the most prominent amateur racers of all time. His dominance was known worldwide as he had won races like Loretta Lynns, Ponca, the US Open, Lake Whitney, Oakhill, and World Minis. He signed with Suzuki at a young age and won Loretta Lynns six different times starting with his first on 65cc’s. When he went pro he finished fifth in his second national ever. He stayed with Suzuki riding for Rockstar Makita and rode consistently from 2007 to 2013, which is longer than many may remember. Unfortunately due to injury, he stepped away from racing, but he was one of the best riders on the track at the time.
BREAKING NEWS: ELI TOMAC ANNOUNCES THAT HE SUSTAINED A BROKEN FIBULA IN TAMPA
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac will sit out the upcoming rounds of Monster Energy AMA Supercross to recover from a broken leg sustained during qualifying at Round 5 of the championship last weekend in Tampa, Florida. It was initially thought to be an ankle sprain and bruised calf, but upon further evaluation after the weekend, it was discovered that he had a broken Fibula. The eight-time AMA Supercross/Motocross Champion put in a heroic ride at Tampa Supercross to finish seventh in his heat race and race the main event, scoring five points to remain in the fight for the hotly contested 450SX Championship. Tomac will now focus on returning to 100%, with an update on his return to follow at a later date.
Eli Tomac looked very comfortable to start the season and said he had never felt better on the bike.
Rich Simmons – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 450 Team Manager stated: “We’re all really bummed for Eli. He has been riding so great and was right there in the hunt for this championship. Also, I have to say it was already impressive for him to go out and race the heat race and the main event Saturday night to score some points for the championship, but knowing what we know now, it speaks volumes about Eli’s grit and determination. We look forward to having him come back stronger.”
Eli Tomac – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #3 said:“Unfortunately, this was more than an ankle sprain and a bruised calf. After two days of pain not improving, I got additional scans on my leg, and I do have a broken Fibula. This is such a bummer as I’ve never felt better on the motorcycle in Supercross and getting a win at San Diego was great. I don’t have an exact timeframe of recovery at this time but will be working to come back as soon as possible.”
Eli Tomac stayed tough the through entire night of racing even though he could be seen in visible pain.
MALCOLM STEWART CLAIMS MAIDEN 450SX MAIN EVENT VICTORY IN TAMPA
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Malcolm Stewart has captured a first-career 450SX Main Event victory, with the Floridian putting in a spectacular performance in front of his home crowd at Tampa’s fifth round of the 2025 AMA Supercross Championship. Stewart’s day during Round 5 of the season started off in convincing fashion, with the 32-year-old charging to the third fastest lap time on a dry, technical Tampa circuit which put him and his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition to the ultimate test.
A hard charge in his Heat Race saw Stewart capture a commendable second-place finish, maintaining momentum from qualifying into the night show at Raymond James Stadium. In the Main Event, Stewart got off the line well, with steady progress forward seeing him in second position by the midway mark. From there, he continued to close into the deficit of the leader, before utilizing his superior whoop speed to complete what was ultimately a race-winning pass. That was all that he needed, as he went on to record his maiden premier class race win.
Malcolm Stewart said: “This has been an emotional rollercoaster to get here. I did my knee in ’23 and from that point I wasn’t sure… especially after last year, just not being able to figure it out and I was so down on myself. I felt like I was fighting everything, until my Dad sat me down and said ‘Look, either quit racing or go out there and make sure you have fun, because that’s why we do this in the first place.’ Fast forward from there to now in 2025, I had a great off-season, and I felt like I was in a position to do this. At my home race, I couldn’t hear my motorcycle at times the crowd was so loud! Between my Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team and my also family, it’s been a real effort together – this one is special!”
SOON-TO-BE-DAD: AUSTIN FORKNER HAS A NEW OUTLOOK ON RACING
MXA PHOTO TRIVIA
Who is this rider? The answer can be found at the bottom of the article.
We’re on to the sixth race of MXA Fantasy League presented by ON X Offroad with all new prizes up for grabs. Currently, we have a new update out that helps revolutionize the gameplay from last year. However, you can still play seamlessly with the current version you may have. Last year we were able to give away a Triumph TF 250-X to the winner of the full SMX season. We were able to get some awesome prizes from our amazing sponsors and supporters. You can download the app today in both app stores and get set up for racing in San Diego. See you at the races!
Download for Android: Click here!
KTM JRSX PRESENTED BY FORD LIGHTNING
If you didn’t know, MXA has helped develop a brand-new app for the KTM JR SX Challenge that takes place during the “halftime” of the Supercross events. It starts after the heat races prior to the race Last Chance Qualifiers. Currently, the app is available on Android in the Google Play Store and in the Apple app store. In this fantasy, users will pick six kids receiving points for the correct predictions in first, second, third, fifth, seventh, and tenth. Throughout the season, KTM and Ford will be giving away unique prizes to the winners. If you’re looking to join the KTM JRSX Fantasy you can do so by clicking here!
Mini Testers Review: Yamaha YZ85 vs Honda CRF150 – 2-Stroke vs 4-Stroke
KEN ROCZEN INTERVIEW: “I AM JUST TRYING TO ENJOY MYSELF AND NOT PUT ON A LOT OF PRESSURE”
I must admit, before the 2025 Monster Energy Supercross championship season started, I didn’t have Ken Roczen battling for the title, however, the Progressive Insurance Ecstar Suzuki rider has shown he still has what it takes. Although losing the red plate to Red Bull KTM’s Chase Sexton after the Glendale Supercross, Roczen is only two points back. we were able to talk to the father of two, who took the second moto win, and after a dramatic final lap battle in the final moto, finished third on the podium.
BY JIM KIMBALL
Ken Roczen was the winner of the 2024 Glendale Supercross and was able to win on of three main events in 2025.
KENNY, CONGRATS ON WINNING GLENDALE MAIN, AND FINISHING ON THE PODIUM. Thank you, absolutely, I am enjoying it and taking it all in.
HOW DO YOU PREFER THE TRIPLE CROWN FORMAT? Well, I don’t prefer it more than a normal format. It feels better winning a full main event, meaning twenty laps plus one. There is a lot of chaos that can happen on Triple Crown nights, that is for sure. Your goal is to execute every single start to put yourself in good positions and then see how the race unfolds.
Ken Roczen seems to like the hardpack conditions that Glendale has to offer.
YOU LOOK LIKE YOU ARE RIDING AND RACING BETTER THAN EVER. WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THAT TO? I honestly think I am in a good sustainable mindset and when it comes down to it, I take it for what it is. I try to enjoy wherever that puts me. You know what I mean? Sometimes things can happen, you can get a bad start, or you tip over, so it is really about the effort that you put in. Every weekend, I am just trying to enjoy myself and not put a lot of pressure on myself, to be honest. I just take it for what it is, and after the racing go back home and hang out with the family. That is a nice distraction from the racing stress.
WITH THAT SAID, DO YOU THINK MAYBE YOU COULD HAVE PUT TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON YOURSELF IN THE PAST? No, you just change over the years. You get older and as I said, having a family makes it a little bit easier to get away from the everyday grind. Having a family is a nice welcoming distraction for me personally. I am turning 31 this year, and my mindset is going to be different than say when I was in my twenties. I had other issues back then and things were just different, so I did not enjoy it quite as much as I do now.
Good starts all evening helped Ken Roczen to finish third overall.
YOU LOOKED AMAZING TAKING THE SECOND MOTO MAIN WIN, BUT IN MY MIND, YOU WERE THE BEST WHEN YOU WERE TRYING TO CATCH JUSTIN BARCIA IN THE FINAL LAPS OF THE FINAL MOTO. I was made aware that I needed to pass Barcia to get on the overall podium, so I went for it. Justin was riding great, but I just knew I had to pass him. It was close, but I was able to make it happen.
LAST QUESTION, WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN THIS STACKED SERIES? That is a good question. Obviously, we are only four rounds in, and the racing has been incredible. Everybody is firing on all cylinders. Right now, I have been one of the most consistent guys, and I am going to try to continue doing the same thing. You know, it is going to be very important to put it on the box, and always finish top five. But I don’t know if that is going to be enough. You know, this is a long season. We will all have our bad nights. Hopefully, we can click up some wins at some point but there are just four or five guys that are insanely good. Actually, if you look at the whole field, there are ten guys that are just ripping right now. It is difficult but honestly, I am not worrying about it. I really am not. I am trying to enjoy this and go into every weekend just to take it for what it is and wherever that puts me at the end of the year. It is an exciting mindset to be in.
Ken Roczen now sits two points out of the lead, behind Chase Sexton.
MOTO4KIDS THRILLER BEEZZ SERIES
On February 2nd marked the second round of the Moto 4 Kids Racing – Thriller Beezz Series at the iconic Barona Oaks MX Park in Lakeside, California.
With the long history of Racing at Barona Oaks MX Park it’s always nice to take a look back at this legendary track made so famous by all the motocross legends – Including the late great, Scott Burnworth. This past weekend’s race was dedicated to his legacy!
No Cap! Soda Pop serves up smiles and is the perfect beverage to compliment all the tasty racing. The next-gen soda pop for our next-gen riders!
Hendrix Misiaszek kept it consistent through Round No. 2 of racing never stepping off the podium in each of the 3 classes he did battle in.
Moto Dad’s with that laser focus on their Future Stars.
Head down and check out the next event which is round number three at Fox Raceway on March second.
MXA PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Max Anstie with high energy levels after winning the first round of the East Coast 250 series in Tampa.
CLASSIC MXA PHOTO
Mike LaRocco back in 1999 racing the Daytona SX.
MXA Photo Trivia Answer: Jean-Michel Bayle was one of the most successful riders of his era, achieving success at the highest levels in both motocross and road racing.
The post MOTOCROSS ACTION MID-WEEK REPORT appeared first on Motocross Action Magazine.
