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/1488031
Yamaha Reveals 450/250cc Supercross Lineup T he Monster Energy Star Racing 450cc Team will be made up of three riders in 2023, though one will be part-time. Defending Supercross and Motocross Champion Eli Tomac and former outdoor champ Dylan Ferrandis will make up the team's full-time 450cc riders, while Jus- tin Cooper will start getting his feet wet on the big bike. Cooper will ride a 450cc in select Super- cross races, then switch gears back to the 250cc bike for the outdoor championship. "It's been a good off-season," said Cooper. "We took some time off after RedBud [Motocross of Nations] before getting back to grinding away. I got on the 450 a few weeks ago to try and get my feet wet there and learn the bike. There's a lot to adapt to, but the process has been fun. I enjoy riding the 450. I've always felt like I've been a better 450 rider, and I'm looking forward to racing it. It's a new group of guys, and obviously, the power delivery is different from a 250, so there are going to be a lot of things to get used to, but I'm ready for it. I'm just looking to get my feet wet and learn the bike, learn the class and get the experience. I think that's the most valuable thing right now." No definite word from Ya- maha as to Tomac's plans for the outdoors or the SuperMotocross World Championship. He's said in the past that he's contemplat- ing racing only Supercross in 2023. On the 250cc side, the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing Team is going to have a full house with five riders: Stilez Robertson, Jordon Smith, Nate Thrasher, Levi Kitchen and Nick Romano. Robertson and Smith are new to the team. The vet- eran Smith officially joined the team following the 2022 outdoor championship and has been training and testing since then. "I've got a new team this year, and my wife and I have a new baby, so life's changing a lot for me," said Smith. "I'm just excited to get the season going. I've been training for what feels like forever. I trained all throughout the outdoor season and worked with the team, so I'm ready to get racing." CN IN THE WIND P48 Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha's 2023 450 Team is made up of Justin Cooper (32), Dylan Ferrandis (14) and Eli Tomac (3). Cooper is part-time. He'll ride a 250 outdoors. Star's 250cc squad will be made up of new riders Stilez Robertson and Jordon Smith, and returning riders Nate Thrasher, Levi Kitchen and Nick Romano.