Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1466689
from former case studies within the brand. Former Yamaha 450cc riders like Cooper Webb, Justin Barcia and Aaron Pless- inger were eager to get off the blue bike and found success in their own right after starting new rides. In the YZ450F's defense, the team was not run by Star Racing during these times, and Dylan Ferrandis quickly jumped to 450cc success under the Star management. But number-three and the Blue Crew proved me wrong. Tomac quickly made his way to the front of the field and by round three in San Diego, he already took control of the red plate. This was the earliest point he'd ever held the points lead, and it only took another round before he clicked off his first win with the Star squad. Seven wins later and he looks like the Tomac of old, with an improved starting technique to match. And that's without mentioning his new home on the all-time wins list. Fourth place (44 wins) is shared between Tomac and Chad Reed. The only riders above them? How about Ricky Carmichael (48), James Stewart (50), and Jeremy McGrath (72)? That's some good company. Tomac will likely clinch the 2022 450SX Supercross title this weekend in his home state of Colorado, the second Supercross Championship of his career. After seeing the positive out- come that Jason Anderson and Eli Tomac had with their moves late in their careers, I wonder if Ken Roczen will consider one, as well? My other contrasting topic for this week is age; specifically, the age gap between the two 250cc title contenders. Jett Lawrence recently wrapped up his first Supercross Championship in Foxborough, the number 18 becoming number-one at, well, age 18. Jettson's rise to stardom is well-documented and right- fully so. The kid is everything the sport needs and his manage- ment team certainly knows what they have on their hands. This is Lawrence's second title, last year's 250cc Motocross crown and now a Supercross plaque to match. The youngster certainly has a bright future ahead of him. Christian Craig, on the other hand, is 30 and will be 31 by the time the Pro Motocross Cham- pionship concludes later this summer. This means 12-year-old Christian was busy sweeping amateur nationals before Jett was even born. Craig currently has no titles to his name but is the obvious favorite to wrap up his first this weekend in Denver. And no shame here. I'm 27 years old and I feel better than ever on the bike and I'm a more mature rider/person in all aspects of my life. Perhaps the same is true for Craig. His timeline led him astray from the sport for a few years with two seasons of no Supercross results ('14-'15). He returned with a vengeance though and went on to win his first Supercross main the follow- ing year at Glendale 2016. No doubt Craig has since solidified himself as a serious player in the sport, contending for top spots indoors and running up front dur- ing his former 450 class outdoor appearances. He's adamant about moving to a 450 after this season which will certainly please the internet nay-sayers, but taking a title home should be a feather in the cap regardless of age. He won't become the old- est 250cc class champ, howev- er, that record will still stand with John Dowd, who won the 1998 125 West Coast Supercross title just shy of his 33rd birthday. CN CN III THE 411 In the YZ450F's defense, the team was not run by Star Racing during these times, and Dylan Ferrandis quickly jumped to 450cc success under the Star management. But number-three and the Blue Crew proved me wrong. P142