Story and Photos: Tom Cooper

Alex Hotchkiss has been on our radar since his early ‘B' class days. But don't be surprised if you haven't heard of him. Hotchkiss has been on the cusp of amateur motocross stardom on numerous occasions, but, in our opinion, has yet to get the credit he deserves. At 19 he's a bit older than most pro riders lining the gate at the amateur nationals, but he sees that as an advantage. With a year in the pro class under his belt, and a noteworthy performance at Loretta's this year, Alex Hotchkiss is ready to make good on his goals. Between working, training and school, his schedule is relentless, but his desire to make a name for himself amongst the future heroes of the sport is even more relentless. We are honored to Introduce to you Michigan's own, Alex Hotchkiss.

Before we start, who are you in your own words?
My name is Alex Hotchkiss, I'm nineteen years old, I ride 125A and 250A; Pro-Sport and A classes. I'm from Michigan and I ride a YZ 250 two-stroke #914.

We've noticed some great finishes from you this year in the A classes and Pro-Am races.  Where have you been lately (besides hiding from the Michigan weather)?
I've really been working a lot. Well, yeah.  I've basically been working pretty much every day during the week. It's been hard to come home from work and try to ride- plus to train, and do school and all that good stuff. To top it off- like two weeks ago I had a little bit of a rough time at the Baja Brawl; I re-injured my shoulder. Actually, it first happened in Texas just before I came home to Michigan. At Lake Whitney I separated my shoulder slash tore my rotator cuff, so I got that all fixed up in the spring- went to therapy and all that jazz.

Does that mean you are going to be out for a while?
We'll have to see what the doctors say this time around...

Well, what happened at the Brawl?
It was kind of a series of things- I think I crashed more in those three days than I have all year! But....In a 250A moto, I was behind (Kyle) Corman and (Trevor) Donie, and I just had a pretty nasty get-off in the goofy whoops, and kind of superman'd it, and bombed through a pond. I pulled my shoulder out pretty good, but I kept going. I crashed again, but Corman and Donie tangled over a berm to give me the moto win after all. I'm kind of assuming that was the moto that really did the damage.

Loretta's went pretty good for you. With a stacked gate in the A classes, you brought home a solid top ten. Tell us a little about your week, and give us your thoughts on how you did.
You know, I actually think I did a little bit better than I expected in a sense. I always like to think of doing well, but there was a lot of big names in the A classes this year. I just went down there with a good mind set and everything. I just put together some consistent, solid motos. I just rode the best I could, and I knew I had to get some good starts- and I pretty much did that all week. So I think it ended up pretty well.

It was sick to see someone doing so well on a two-stroke 250.
Yeah, about that. I ended up bringing down one bone stock YZ 250 and rode it in both my classes. I actually borrowed a pipe when I got down there from Nick Moulton and that beast was ready to go.-Thanks Nick. (laughs)

So, a top 10 at Loretta's means you get your pro license, right?
Uh, I pretty much had it before then from racing Pro-Am races all year. That would mean that I definitely do now though.

Does that mean we will see the #914 at Supercross or Arenacross this winter?
As of now, no. I want to be able to be in the top fifteen consistently. I would like to make more of a name for myself before then though. I'm planning on going back to Underground MX around November to be on my game, hopefully before Mini O's. I really just want to show everyone what I've got and have a ton of fun doing what I love.

Who would you like to thank?
Mom and Dad ,MSR, Factory Connection, Scott, Yoshimura, Ray C's, Dunlop, Decal Works, Stheart Clothing, ASV, Hinson, & Underground MX

Thanks Alex.
Right on!