Slaw Dog
We’re only two rounds down in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship and honestly, that’s not a lot to make wide ranging judgements on. Well, throw that out the window, because that’s what I’m going to do.
I’m going to look at five riders that have surprised me thus far (in a good way. We like to spread positivity here at Vurb when we can) in the 250 Class. No, Jett Lawrence doesn’t count. If you didn’t think the Jett was going to be close to where he is, I can’t help you.
Garrett Marchbanks
After missing all of Lucas Oil Pro Motocross last year, Marchbanks has been super solid through two rounds this year, with consistent 8-6-7-7 finishes through two rounds. ClubMX is a great team, but it’s also not a factory team. Which, to me, makes a huge difference outdoors. Plus, Garrett is like 6’4 and 200 lbs. Kidding, but he is around 6’1” and 180 lbs. Again, that makes a huge difference in Pro Motocross. That hasn’t mattered much, though, as he is currently ahead of factory dudes like RJ Hampshire, Jo Shimoda, Colt Nichols, Austin Forkner, Michael Mosiman and more in points.
Jalek Swoll
Swoll had just six career Pro Motocross starts entering this year, so there wasn’t much to judge him on. He was also riding was a bum shoulder last year, so while his results weren’t good, they were understandable. After a breakout Monster Energy Supercross campaign, I was curious to see if Swoll could carry it over to Pro Motocross. Thus far, he has. He wasn’t great at Fox Raceway, but his sixth in the second moto at Thunder Valley really put him on my radar, and this list!
Jo Shimoda
Shimoda has been great in Monster Energy Supercross in his first two seasons and had a decent Pro Motocross campaign in 2020, finishing the season with five straight top 10 overalls. But, I really wanted to see more. Well, after a terrible start at Fox Raceway (14-11 motos) he broke out at Thunder Valley with a 6-4 for fourth overall. I really think the future could be bright for him.
Dilan Schwartz
Another rider who broke out last weekend was the Bar X/Chaparral/Ecstar Suzuki rider. Schwartzneger has just three career starts coming into the season, and while he wasn’t overly impressive at the opener at Fox Raceway (22nd OA), he put in a solid ninth overall at Thunder Valley. Like Marchbanks, he’s not on a factory team, and he’s also on a bike that well… we’ll just leave it there.
Max Vohland
I mean just watch the first moto at Fox Raceway! Which, by the way, was his first career start. Kid maybe could had won if not for a bike problem. He bounced back with a seventh in the second moto at the opener, though. Apparently he was sick last weekend, so let’s not judge his 15-17 motos. Watch out for this kid this summer. I’m telling you.
Main image: Octopi Media
