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/1542841
Beta Changes Focus to Motocross L iqui Moly Beta Factory Rac- ing has withdrawn from the remainder of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Cham- pionship due to a series of inju- ries to both of its premier-class riders, Benny Bloss and Mitchell Oldenburg, who were sidelined during the opening rounds of the season. The team will now redirect its full resources toward the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Champion- ship, as well as the three SMX Playoff rounds. While the origi- nal 2026 program included only a few select outdoor appear- ances, the team will now contest the entire series for the first time in Beta's history. The Supercross season be- gan with adversity when Bloss sustained a broken wrist during the press-day session at the season opener in Anaheim. Just one week later at the San Diego round, Mitchell Oldenburg suf- fered a heavy crash in qualifying, resulting in a concussion and fractures to the radius and ulna in his left arm. Both riders have since undergone successful surgeries and are beginning their respective recovery processes. Rather than rushing the recovery timeline for a late- season Supercross return, the team has elected to give both Bloss and Oldenburg the time they need to heal completely. This pivot enables the team to focus exclusively on developing the Beta 450 RX for the outdoor nationals. "This is certainly not how we envisioned our 2026 Supercross season unfolding," said Car- len Gardner, race team direc- tor. "Both Benny and Mitchell showed incredible pace during the off-season, and to have them both sidelined so early is heart- breaking for the riders and the crew. However, we are turning this setback into an opportunity. By committing to the full Pro Motocross season, we are giving our riders the time they need to get back to 100 percent and giv- ing our fans the chance to see Beta compete at every outdoor national." The 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championship is set to kick off on May 30 at Fox Raceway in Pala, California. CN WIND IN THE P28 Injuries to Beta's Benny Bloss and Mitch Oldenburg have forced the team to skip Supercross and focus on motocross in 2026.