Reed Wins McGrath's Holeshot Challenge
O
n Saturday night at the
2025 Motocross of Nations,
fans were transported back to
the Golden Age of motocross
as a legendary lineup of riders
gathered for Jeremy McGrath's
Holeshot King Challenge. Past
champions such as Ricky Carmi
-
chael, Jeff Emig, Damon Brad-
shaw, Jeff Stanton, Chad Reed,
Jeff Ward and The King himself,
Jeremy McGrath, competed
in a best two out of three race
format. Most of the races came
down to a third gate drop.
Bradshaw showed he still
has speed, but keeping his bike
straight proved difficult for The
Beast from The East, as he was
beaten by Stanton. Jeff Ward rode
a new Triumph, a bike he had nev
-
er even sat on before the event,
and was eliminated early on.
Ricky Carmichael abandoned
his usual Oakley goggles and
rode only with his prescription
glasses so he could see the
dimly lit course. He also couldn't
keep his bike in a straight line
and fell behind the other cham
-
pions.
Ryan Villopoto rode a YZ450F
and did power wheelies down
the start straight during his runs.
Eventually, he lost his matchup
with McGrath.
Chad Reed reached the final,
racing his personal Yamaha
YZ450F against his childhood
hero, McGrath. The two legends
battled until the third and final
gate drop, with Reed gaining a
slight lead at the final start. Reed
was the only rider of the night to
beat MC.
Even though McGrath's fac
-
tory Kawasaki KX450 has had
little use, his mechanic, Derik
Dwyer, said he was, "still going
to frame it the next day to keep it
fresh for the King."
CN
WIND
IN THE
P34
Chad Reed took the
win against Jeremy
McGrath in the MXoN
Holeshot Challenge.
PHOTO: BROWNDOG WILSON
