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Ken Roczen Returning to HEP Suzuki
Suzuki Motor USA is thrilled to announce an extension to the partnership with elite athlete Ken Roczen and HEP Motorsports. Ken Roczen and HEP have brought a new level of success and excitement to Suzuki racing in 2023, and Suzuki is pleased to be able to partner with Ken Roczen again for 2024.
In 2023, Ken Roczen and the HEP Motorsports’ Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki team delivered a consistent and successful season of racing, including an incredible win at the Indy Supercross, several podium finishes, and a tie for third place in the AMA Supercross Championship.
In addition, Ken Roczen gave Suzuki fans across the country a thrilling end to the season in the SuperMotocross World Championship by claiming key podium positions, taking another impressive win in the second moto at the Chicagoland Speedway, and two second place finishes in the final race at the LA Memorial Coliseum to secure second place in the inaugural SuperMotocross World Championship.
“I am extremely excited to re-sign with the team,” said Ken Roczen. “We have done some amazing things so far in 2023 and I am really eager to do even better things in 2024. It has been one of the most fun and rewarding years of my career and I am happy to keep it going.”
“Excited to have Roczen back on the team for 2024,” said Team Manager, Larry Brooks. “We came a long way from the beginning of the year to being one of the top competitors. Every time Ken Roczen raced, he was in contention to win. The whole team, including Ken himself, worked extremely hard and it showed in the results. When I took a step back and looked at what we’d done, I was really impressed. I am sure Ken will have continued success in 2024.”
“Everyone at Suzuki is really thrilled to be able to partner with Ken Roczen again in 2024,” said Chris Wheeler, Motorsports Manager at Suzuki Motor USA, LLC. “ Kenny has brought a new level of racing performance and excitement to Suzuki this year and we look forward to continuing that performance with Kenny in 2024!”
Suzuki’s RM-Z450 and RM-Z250 are poised for more competition excitement in 2024 and beyond. Suzuki is excited to continue its successful racing heritage with Ken Roczen as they compete in the 2024 SMX World Championship and look forward to seeing the continued enthusiasm and loyalty of the RM Army.
Dylan Ferrandis Leaving Star Racing
Here is the official announcement via his IG:
Season 2023 done, not the best way to finish for sure, a crash in practice during the week and at the start of moto 1 in LA not ideal.
End of my time with @yamaharacingcomofficial @starracingyamaha too, 7 years with lot of memories and success, I wish you guys the best !
Not sure what will be my future yet but now it’s all about rest and recovery from a long season.
Kitchen, Vohland to PC
Monster Energy® Kawasaki and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki are ready for more world-class racing in 2024. The Monster Energy Kawasaki racing teams will compete against the top supercross and motocross talents from around the world as they look to compete for the 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, the AMA Pro Motocross Championship and the revolutionary SuperMotocross World Championship.
Monster Energy Kawasaki will continue with its two title favorites in the 450 class aboard the all-new 2024 KX™450. Kawasaki Team Green™ alumni, 2019 250MX Champion, 2019 Monster Energy Cup Champion and 2020 AMA Pro Motocross runner-up Adam Cianciarulo will compete for his fifth year alongside 2018 Monster Energy Supercross Champion and 2022 Supercross runner-up Jason Anderson. In the 250 Class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki is set to lineup with established race winners, Austin Forkner, Cameron McAdoo, and Seth Hammaker, while also welcoming the championship contenders Levi Kitchen and Maximus Vohland.
Cianciarulo will line up with Monster Energy Kawasaki in 2024 to continue his notable 19-year partnership with Kawasaki as he enters his fifth year of 450 Class racing. The No. 9 graduated through the Kawasaki Team Green™ program on his way to the 2019 AMA Pro Motocross 250 Championship, 2020 Pro Motocross Rookie of the Year and a total of 21 combined professional SMX wins. After completing the entire 2023 season injury-free, Cianciarulo is set to capitalize on a full off-season of preparation riding the new 2024 KX™450 with the team to be in prime form for his 2024 Championship efforts.
Anderson and his KX™450SR proved to be a strong duo throughout the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross Championship, earning seven Top-5 finishes. After injury at Round 15 of Supercross, Anderson carried his success into the Pro Motocross Championship where he claimed four Top-5 finishes and two overall podiums. Looking forward to the Monster Energy Supercross Championship, Pro Motocross Championship and SuperMotocross World Championship in 2024, Anderson aims to continue his fight for premier class supremacy.
“We have great confidence in our 2024 team roster and are excited to introduce the all-new KX™450SR,” said Kawasaki Racing Senior Manager, Dan Fahie. “We finished the 2023 SMX season strong and playoffs provides us with a strong foundation as we enter the off-season.”
Supported by an astonishing 31 years of professional racing success, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki race team will contest the 2024 SuperMotocross World Championship with a new lineup. The team who has achieved an unmatched 294 combined SMX wins, and 31 total championships, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki is gearing up for more victories with Forkner, McAdoo, Hammaker, Kitchen and Vohland.
Entering his ninth year with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki, Forkner’s impressive 13 victories position him as a top contender for the championship in 2024. This seasoned 250 Class rider is primed to clinch his inaugural professional championship.
McAdoo earned his 17th Monster Energy Supercross podium in 2023 before an injury after Round 5 sidelined him the remainder of the 2023 season. The Iowa native aims to come back stronger than ever and build upon his success with a full championship campaign in the year ahead.
As Hammaker lines up for his fourth year in the professional circuit, his supercross Main Event win and his five podium finishes attest to his readiness to contend for the championship throughout the season.
“We have a proven group of five riders for the 2024 racing season. Austin was able to race Pro Motocross this year and will be ready for the new season,” said Pro Circuit Owner, Mitch Payton. “Seth had a major setback, but we are looking forward to his comeback. Cameron has been training on the bike and we are excited to have him back in the mix. Levi had an impressive 2023 season with great starts and a moto win at the last SMX race at Los Angeles Coliseum. Finally, we anticipate Max to shine on his KX™250 in 2024. Overall, I am looking forward to each rider on the team to challenge for wins and championships.”
New to the team, Kitchen and Vohland look to infuse their skill, determination and passion into the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki lineup for the 2024 season. These rising stars in the motocross realm are determined to achieve even more remarkable results in the upcoming year. With a combined track record that includes Kitchen’s outstanding eight podium finishes and a main event victory, alongside Vohland’s impressive 10 Top-5 finishes, positions them as premier contenders in the class.
Ryder D Heading to GasGas
Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing has signed Ryder DiFrancesco for the 2024 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) season, spanning the AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross Championships, as well as the high-profile SMX Finals series.
- Ryder D is GASGAS-bound for 2024 onboard the MC 250F Factory Edition
- Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing lands talented teenage prospect
- 2024 season will mark DiFrancesco’s first in 250SX regional division
Still just 18 years of age, Ryder D is regarded as one of the sport’s finest young talents in U.S. competition, emerging from a highly-decorated amateur career into the professional ranks this year with immediate promise and a share of encouraging results.
The 2024 season will see DiFrancesco line up for his rookie 250SX campaign – the specific region yet to be determined – when the gates drop on Supercross early next year, in addition to his second term of lining up outdoors in 250MX, and the SMX post-season.
Max Lee, Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing Team Manager: “We’re super-excited to have Ryder DiFrancesco join the team for the 2024 racing season. He has a lot of talent and a good work ethic, so I think he’s a great fit for the group and the GASGAS brand!”
After beginning this year in Supercross Futures, Ryder went on to contest the entire Pro Motocross Championship, achieving four top 10 overall results in 11 rounds, and a season-best of sixth at Ironman Raceway’s final round, which earned him 10th place in the standings.
DiFrancesco continued that form at SMX Playoff 1 in Charlotte, where he finished fourth overall, and would eventually race to 12th position in the 250SMX Championship. Now, the opportunity to GET ON THE GAS arrives, and the teenager is eager to take on fresh challenges in a new environment, equipped with the razor-sharp MC 250F Factory Edition.
Ryder DiFrancesco: “I am very excited to make the transition to the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing Team for my first full professional season! I’m ready for new challenges and learning a new bike, which is the exciting part of what’s ahead together.”
Casey Cochran Turning Pro in 2024
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing will take Casey Cochran into the professional ranks full-time in 2024, scheduled to contest the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) onboard the FC 250.
Cochran, 17, has enjoyed an outstanding final year in amateur competition, in which he clinched the Schoolboy 2 (12-17) B/C class title in the 2023 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s, as well as the Supercross Futures AMA National Championship in Salt Lake City and the Moto Combine overall at RedBud.
The teenage Virginia native gained immense experience in his first pro-level appearances across the final two rounds of this year’s AMA Pro Motocross Championship at Budds Creek and the Ironman National, which will also help in setting him up for a full-time transition next year with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing.
“I’ve really enjoyed this past year working with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing and getting to know everyone, so I’m super-excited to extend what we have going on and progress into the pro ranks with such a good team behind me,” Cochran commented. “Couldn’t be more stoked for the future!”
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager, Nathan Ramsey, welcomed Cochran to the factory program and is excited to see him progress throughout the 2024 AMA Supercross Championship and Pro Motocross Championship, leading into the SMX Finals series.
“Casey put together an amazing final year as our elite Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing amateur athlete and he absolutely hit all the marks that we put together for him to earn his first pro contract,” explained Ramsey.
“I am both happy and proud to have Casey join our pro team. He’s a very hard worker and is full of potential for a great future with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team. Now, I am looking forward to spending some time with him during the off-season as he builds into 2024.”
Jalek Swoll Leaving Husqvarna
Announcement via his IG:
Man I have no idea where to start, at 13 I got picked up by @husqvarnafactoryracing and its been family ever since, these years have flown by and I have some of the best memories with the guys on this team, they’ve gone above and beyond for me and my family and I would not be here without this team…. Will never forget how fun it was through amateurs and definitely will forever be grateful for this team and all the guys that make this team what it is….. and a special thank you to @ultibro my brother for life, @pauldelaurier @clomxwrench @t_thomas522 @jedidiah831 @nramsey25 @jackrichards709 @amos528
Carson Mumford Headed to MotoConcepts
The MCR Honda team is excited to announce the signing of 21-year-old Carson Mumford to contest the remaining two rounds of the 2023 WSX Championship, as well as a jam-packed 2024 schedule. Mumford, a highly decorated racer with over 80 Amateur National Championships, made his professional debut in 2019 and has shown great potential. The MCR Honda team is thrilled to have the Southern California native round out the squad, which also includes Vince Friese, Mitchell Oldenburg, and Mike Alessi.
“Carson Mumford is an elite-level rider,” said Team Manager Tony Alessi. “The way he jumps, corners, attacks whoops…it is obvious that he is one of the sport’s most talented racers. Carson is very competitive and determined to turn in the results he is capable of. He’s been shoved around on the track the past couple of years, but he has matured and is ready to do some damage.”
Mumford is equally excited about his new home. “First and foremost, I am very excited to work with Mike Genova and Tony Alessi,” he said. “He’s one of those guys who loses sleep overthinking ways to make everything the best. I haven’t ridden with my new teammates yet, but I think it will be an excellent experience for me. Friese and Oldenburg are experienced veterans I know I will learn plenty from.”
Mumford will make his racing debut with MCR Honda on November 4 in Abu Dhabi at the penultimate round of the 2023 WSX Championship and wrap up the series on November 24 in Australia. Mumford will contest the 250 class alongside Mike Alessi, while Vince Friese and Mitchell Oldenburg will race in the 450 division.
“I am stoked to travel abroad to race,” said Mumford. “The WSX Championship is an exciting new series, and it will be good to get back to racing. I am also very excited to be back on the Honda brand, where I started my professional career. The Honda CRF250R is a great bike, and it’s obvious that the CRF450R is, too. Look at all the success Honda enjoyed in 2023!”
In 2024, Mumford will contest the entire Monster Energy 250 West Coast Supercross Championship with teammate Oldenburg, while Friese will race all of the West Coast races in the 450 division. When the series heads East, all three riders will field 450s in Dallas and St. Louis.
Though MCR Honda has had a focus on Supercross in recent years, the trio (Mumford, Friese, and Oldenburg) will race the Fox Raceway, Hangtown MX, and Washougal MX rounds of the 450 National MX Championship to secure their positions in the end-of-season Supermotocross Playoffs.
When the 2024 WSX Championship resumes, Mumford will contend for the 250 championship, while Friese and Oldenburg will vie for 450-class successes.
“It is going to be a busy year but also an exciting year,” said Tony Alessi. “Our guys are up to the task, and we are looking forward to some great success.”
