Slaw
For over a century, Michelin has been a pioneer in the motorcycle industry. Embracing the philosophy of continuous improvement, Michelin consistently delivers innovative solutions and cutting-edge technology for all segments of motorcycling. Michelin’s off-road motorcycle tires incorporate state-of-the-art materials and tread designs to deliver optimal grip, durability, and riding confidence to meet the demands of riders in all conditions and terrains. Learn more at https://www.michelinman.com/motorcycle/
We are down four rounds! The Monster Energy Supercross season continues in Tampa on Saturday and in this edition of Most Likely, we examine some key talking points. Like, will who will win the 250SX East Region? Has Eli fixed his starts? And much more.
Read on…
Who is most likely to win the 250SX East Region title?
Slaw: Lots of depth, lots of questions surrounding the East Region. How healthy is Chance Hymas? What about RJ? Rumors of him easing into the season following off-season wrist surgery are out there. How will Austin Forkner adjust to the Triumph? Jordon Smith is making it look easy in the West Region, but until we hit the track you never know.
This may be one of the deepest fields entering a series we’ve seen in a while. Race winners and champions line the gate. And yet… I have zero clue who will win the title. I spun a wheel and landed on Levi Kitchen. I will not be held responsible for this title pick… unless he wins. Then I’m a genius.
Wes: I was going to cheat on this one and just look at NXTBETS, but sadly, it looks like they leave out the 250s. That being said, the East Region is beyond stacked, but the common denominator for most of these riders is inconsistency. Any one of them could, and very well might, win a race, but when results tend to be all over the place, a single win won’t make much of a difference. I’d love to see Forkner get one, FINALLY, but statistically (as if I actually cross-referenced this data), I think it’s going to come down to Vialle or Kitchen. And Mitch needs a win in a bad way, so I’m going with The Chef.
Who is most likely to have a breakout year in the East?
Slaw: Nate Thrasher. In years prior, he’s either won (4 times) or finished eighth or DNS. That’s it. Injuries have stunned his progression, but if he can find a way to make it through all the rounds, his speed will have him in the thick of the title chase.
Wes: In the factory squad, it’s Pierce Brown. I feel like he’s been in the game for a while but finally got his first victory last season at the final SMX Playoff in Las Vegas. Then, he switched to the most highly-touted 250 team in the sport, Monster Energy/Star Racing Yamaha. He’s got confidence and the “change of scenery” vibe going for him. I mentioned consistency above, and he certainly falls under that umbrella as well, but maybe 2025 is the year he settles in.
The non-factory side of things is a TOUGH CALL! Mark Fineis, Max Vohland, Nick Romano, Carson Mumford (who I feel really showed his worth as a fill-in rider at PC), Gage Linville, and the list goes on and on. I’m going to pick Romano. He’s been plagued with injuries, and he knows he has no choice but to turn his career around.
Who are the riders most likely to win a race in the East Region?
Slaw: Is 5 too many? Here is who I think WILL win races. There are a bunch that COULD.
Levi Kitchen
Cam McAdoo
RJ Hampshire
Tom Vialle
Pierce Brown
Austin Forkner
Okay, that is six and I could have listed Max Anstie, Nate Thrasher, Seth Hammaker and on and on. DEEP FIELD BRO.
Wes: I’m going bold here and saying only one rider wins twice, and it’ll be Austin Forkner. Hampshire will get a win, so will Vialle, Kitchen, McAdoo, maybe Hammaker, and Thrasher. Maybe I’m optimistic, but this will be the best 250 region to ever grace our sport.
Is Eli Tomac most likely to have figured out his starts?
Slaw: Ehhhh…. Maybe? The only thing holding back Tomac right now are his starts. They have not been good. After Glendale, Tomac did lead on that he got something figured out and that he hopes to bring it to Tampa:
“[My] riding’s just fine, but I’ve gotta fix these starts. The first two were a total disaster, basically last again. That’s three in a row there [counting last weekend] being in dead last, but hopefully that’s it [with that]. I think I got some things figured out in that third [start] and hopefully we’ll carry that to next weekend.”
I won’t be the one to doubt Eli, so I will say yes. Starts have been figured out.
Wes: Eli just has this ebb and flow about him that continually makes him an enigma. Just when you think he’s got one thing dialed, he falters on another, only to figure that out, but then messes up again on the former. If he can figure out starts and Beast Mode simultaneously, the championship is his. But it just doesn’t seem like that is possible with Eli 100% of the time. And there are four other guys who want the blood right now. This weekend, starts are dialed, but Beast Mode might be struggling.
Who is the next 450 rider most likely to land a podium?
Slaw: Hunter Lawrence. He’s been the best of the non-podium riders thus far and I think a move to the East Coast will help him.
Wes: Gotta go with Hunter. I think every week that goes by, he’s getting stronger, getting better on the bike, and with Jettson out, he’s THE GUY at Honda now. That little bit of extra pressure (as if he doesn’t have enough already with everything else going on) will push him to new heights.
Images: @octopi.media / Yamaha
