RacerX Interviews Chase Sexton

A lot of eyes are on Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton heading into 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and for good reason. The now 23-year-old had a remarkable year in 2022 where he clicked off his first career 450SX main event win and parlayed that success into a just-missed Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship title. Only one of the greatest ever to do it, in Eli Tomac, could stand in his way. He then was part of the winning Team USA group at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations that brought the Chamberlain Trophy home for the first time since 2011. Sexton has arrived and is here to stay.

With that in mind, many believe he comes into 2023 as one of the favorites to win. He’s now also the team leader at Honda HRC after longtime Honda rider Ken Roczen departed to Suzuki in the off-season. As we build up to the season, we caught up with Chase to see how his off-season is going as hey eyes the prize in ’23.

Racer X: Let’s talk about the off-season a little bit. You did the MXoN, then you took some time off, then you were in California for a little bit with Peter Park, and then now back in Florida. Just describe the last couple of months and how it has been for you.
Chase Sexton: Yeah, obviously we had MXoN which made my season a little bit longer, which went really well, actually. Obviously got the win. After that, I came straight here [California] actually, and we got on supercross. Tested, then I actually got to go to Hawaii for my first-ever vacation, so that was pretty sick. Got to go with a whole bunch of my buddies. Got to kind of just chill and relax. Went to Kauai. A lot of surfing. Just overall got to relax and kind of check out a little bit. So, that was good. I went back to Florida for a week and a half. Got to chill a little bit at home. Then came back out here, tested for two days and then went to Santa Barbara and actually didn’t ride for three weeks. I just was off-the-bike training. Then went back home and now I’ve been on the bike for, this will be my third or fourth week. The [early] testing kind of allowed me to take more time off. I’m actually in a really good spot with the bike. Riding has been good. I’m overall happy. I feel like I got a little bit of refreshment this off-season, so I’m looking forward to Anaheim 1.

You did that kind of the same program last year where you were out here in California, you did the Peter Park [training] thing, and then you went back to Florida. What are you trying to fine-tune a little bit this year to make a little bit better?
Actually last year I was riding. I was riding at Castillo. This year it didn’t work out so much, so I was just off-the-bike training, which I think allowed me to really focus on that aspect. Then when I go to the dirt bike, I’m not trying to do two things at once. I can really focus on that specific thing. My off-the-bike training was really, really good. I gained more fitness, and then when I got back on the bike, I was already comfortable because we had done that testing. I’ve been at Jack Chambers’ place in Florida which is different from last year. I was at [Tyla] Rattray’s but his place unfortunately got shut down. So, everything has been good. I’ve been comfortable on the bike. Colt [Nichols, teammate] has been helping a lot with testing. We made a change this week actually at our photoshoot that has really gotten my comfort level up even more. Overall, everything is good. The team vibe is good. As far as program-wise, it’s fairly the same. Just minor few tweaks. Trying to train off the bike and then get back on the bike and focus on that. That’s really the only changes for this year. I guess more maturity is the biggest thing.

Riding and training at Chambers’ place, how much different is that than last year? What kind of program do you have built around you?
Everything is relatively the same. I’m just at a different track. Being at Chambers’, the dirt is really soft. It breaks down like a main event, as close as you can get in practice. During a 20-minute moto, I have to change my line three or four times because certain ruts get super chewed out. So, that’s one thing that’s really helped me, I think. When you do laps at the test tracks out here, the lines are so hard-packed that you can just do the same thing every lap. For me, at the races I feel like I struggle with changing lines. So, that’s something that I feel like I’ve worked on this year so far. We’ve got a month left to really fine-tune things, but honestly right now I’m really happy in the spot I’m at.

You talked about it a little bit in this intro press conference here, that you’re like the team leader now. Obviously, Colt is coming into his first year, trying to learn a little bit. You had Kenny before to kind of lean on maybe for some advice, but now that’s going to be more your role. Does that add a little bit more pressure to you, or is it something that you welcome?
I definitely welcome it. In the past with Kenny, I was not second guy. I was expected to win, but I was also kind of under his shadow a little bit. Especially after last year, even throughout the year last year I feel like I’ve kind of taken that role over. So, for me, I like it. I like being in this position. I’ve said it a hundred times that my expectations are higher than anybody else’s. I go out there every weekend and do my best and that’s all I can do. So, for me, the goal stays the same. Just stoked the position I’m in, having Colt alongside of me. I’ve known him since I was probably 12 years old training at Robbie Reynard’s place. We have a good relationship and I think that’s going to pay off.

• Chase Sexton in his 2023 threads.Honda HRC

You talked a little bit too about the goal last year, you wanted to click off that win and finally you did. Then it started kind of snowballing outdoors. How much has your mindset changed going into this year where you know you’re going into A1, you want to win this title, and you’ve got to start off on the right foot?
For me, I won the third race last year which came fast. But I think for me this year, you’ve got to really look at what Eli [Tomac] has done in the past. When he goes on a run mid-season, that’s really the meat of the year. That’s when you want to make the most points, at least for me. I think starting off hot is good and it’s good for your confidence, but the main goal is to be on the podium and then really start ramping up middle of the year and that’s always towards the end. I want to come in at A1 and my goal is to win, but I want to obviously be smart with it. There are so many good guys that you can’t go out there and ride conservative. You have to be on your toes. So, just really about putting yourself in a good position. Getting that win last year was good, but we’re going to need a lot more of those coming into this year. So, looking forward to it and I’m ready for the challenge.

We go into October now with this racing and the SMX thing. How do you prepare yourself mentally and physically for that, to know that it’s going to be so much longer of a grind, in a way? We’re not going until September. We’re going into October now.
That’s really one of the main reasons I started riding later. All these guys start riding so soon. Obviously, you want to be ready for A1, but you start riding in October, you’re going to be riding for 12 months straight and grinding. So for me, I wanted to take my time and really pick and choose when I started riding, just because I know when I’m on the bike I’m going to be hammering down. So, I just wanted to start a little bit later this year. Not going to be underprepared at all, but kind of just take as much time off the bike as I needed just to be fresh, and then come in ready to go. Throughout the season last year I felt like I did a really good job of being on top of where I was recovery-wise and if I needed time off. Some of those off-weeks, I wouldn’t not ride, but I wouldn’t ride on a strict schedule. I would take time off as I needed. So, that’s going to be the biggest thing, just taking time off when needed and being recovered for the races. That's the biggest thing.

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Herlings 99 Wins and Counting

When Jeffery Herling lines up for the 2023 MXGP season opener in Argentina on March 12, it will have been 499 days since he last raced MXGP (November 10, 2021). The Bullet will start with 99 career MXGP wins, two less Stefan Everts’ all-time record 101 wins. How much longer will the record stand?

2023 MXGP, Monster SX, AMA Nationals, WSX

Spotlight: Tim Gajser’s Dominant 2022 MXGP Crown

Coming into the 2022 season having failed in his quest to defend his title, as Jeffrey Herlings pipped him and Romain Febvre to glory, Tim Gajser was fully motivated to reclaim his position as MXGP champion.

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Words: Edward Stratmann | Lead Image: Ray Archer

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“The aim every year is to become world champion. It is what every rider wishes and especially for me, having won some in the past and having come so close this year, it is what I will be focusing on for every gate drop,” he insisted.

“Of course, I know it won’t be easy as the class is getting more competitive every year and I believe a lot of riders will keep improving, so I need to keep improving as well but I am confident that I can come out on top, especially with the support of everyone at Team HRC who continues to work extremely hard making sure everything possible is done to get me to perform at my best.”

Spurred on by narrowly falling short in 2021, this, in combination with the fact both Herlings and Febvre suffered devastating injuries to take them out of contention, meant he was the undisputed favourite heading into the new crusade. And, to his credit, despite the aforementioned heavy hitters missing, the fiercely competitive maestro got the job done comfortably to reign triumphant and claim his fifth title.

Focusing on the task at hand with unwavering determination and commitment, the Slovenian began his campaign exceptionally by rattling off three consecutive overall victories to lay down a real marker to his adversaries.

Feeling and looking extremely confident on the bike, and importantly improving his previously troublesome starts, although Gajser didn’t win in Portugal, his 3-1 still secured second overall at Agueda to continue his upward momentum.

Eager to re-establish his dominance over the rest of the field, the #243 flexed his muscles again in the subsequent three GPs by winning six straight motos to claim emphatic overalls at Trentino, Kegums and Maggiora.

 

Ray Archer

Heading into round eight at Sardegna with a whopping 81 point lead in the championship, a frustrating stomach bug halted his progress at both Riola Sardo and for the subsequent GP in Spain, where he fought valiantly to claim seventh and fourth overall respectively in the sweltering conditions.

Back fully fit and firing for Ernee, Gajser endured an uncharacteristically off day, where he crashed in both motos to eventually bag fourth overall in a weekend that was overshadowed by the qualifying race drama.

He wouldn’t have to wait long until he was back in the groove, however, for the Honda HRC star produced a flawless display at Teutschenthal. Setting the tone for his outstanding round by recording the fastest times in free and timed practice, he then scorched to a striking qualifying race win.

So at ease with the tricky track conditions and riding with clarity and conviction, there was plenty to admire about his exceptional raceday too, as he not only won both motos, but he also banked the quickest lap time in each race.

Having returned to form in outstanding fashion, Gajser then admirably replicated his feats from Germany in Indonesia, where another win in qualifying was beautifully accompanied by his 1-1 in the points scoring motos.

Despite not standing on the top step of the podium in the following four races due to a combination of hard to pass tracks, sketchy surfaces, the immense heat and him managing his advantage intelligently, he still claimed two podiums at Loket and Uddevalla.

Riding in a controlled and safety-first manner knowing the title was his, this strategy ultimately paid off, as he was officially crowned champion in Finland with two rounds to spare.

 

Ray Archer

Knowing he didn’t have to push the limit, could ride within himself and remaining in control, Gajser certainly deserves credit for managing the situation masterfully.

“The pace is there and there is really good competition. I am super happy. I would say that from the experience that I have in the past… I learnt a lot from last year especially and the end of the year when the pressure was over the roof,” he told MX Vice during the season.

“The pressure was really, really high when me, Romain and Jeffrey were fighting for the title. I would say that I learnt a lot by losing that championship. I have experience with how to act and prepare myself under pressure. I would say that I always try to analyse the things that happened in the past and take them as a positive, but also learn from them.”

With the shackles off and relieved to have bagged his fifth world title, he then confidently claimed overall victories in the final two stops on the calendar, with his sensational second moto at St Jean d’Angely, where he produced some final lap heroics to run out the victor, being the undoubted highlight.

Rubber stamping his accomplished campaign wonderfully, this was a fitting end to his fantastic season, where he handled the pressure and weight of expectations, which loomed large over him in the absence of Herlings and Febvre, with aplomb.

While some were quick to discredit his achievement due to the injuries to the aforementioned hotshots, Gajser offered a stern response when speaking to the excellent Adam Wheeler in his distinguished OTOR publication, with the hard working #243 clearly agitated at this outlook. “People who see the races understand. It is also strange that last year I was leading the championship and then nobody – nobody – mentioned the fact that I broke my collarbone and I was still fighting until the end. Everybody was only talking about Jeffrey and his broken shoulder blade,” he asserted.

“So, sometimes it is like you don’t feel the best. Deep inside you know how it was…so I don’t really care what other people are writing and usually the ones that are making these comments are those who haven’t really done anything in life and have too much time behind a computer. To be honest I don’t give a f**k.”

By the numbers from his season, his 10 overall victories, 14 race wins and four qualification race wins illustrated his ascendancy. Interestingly, the latter figure indicates what a brilliant Sunday man he is, for he rarely pushed the envelope on the Saturday, instead keeping his powder dry for when it mattered.

Extending his fantastic relationship with HRC by signing a new contract in September, the gifted pilot, who’s still only 26, now has his sights firmly set on title number six next term.

“Obviously it will be tough, but I know what I am capable of and I know that everyone in Team HRC is working towards that goal alongside me. I am feeling fit, healthy and I know that we have already made some improvements to the bike since the end of the season, so I’m excited for the first gate-drop of 2023,” he stated.

Primed for another title assault and ready to battle it out with the likes of Herlings, Febvre, Jeremy Seewer, Jorge Prado and Maxime Renaux, the consistent and durable Gajser will certainly be the man to beat in what will be a stacked, compelling MXGP class in 2023.

Team Honda

With the racing season fast approaching, Team Honda HRC presented its 2023 roster to the media during a special event today at Southern California’s Blackmore Ranch. This markS the 50th anniversary in motocross for American Honda, which approaches the ’23 AMA Supercross season with a powerful rider lineup comprising Chase Sexton, Colt Nichols, and Hunter and Jett Lawrence, along with Chance Hymas. Let's go, boys!

HEP Suzuki signs Chisholm for multiple seasons from 2023

Seasoned contender confirms next step in professional career.

Image: Foremost Media

HEP Motorsports has announced the signing of the ever-popular Kyle Chisholm, with the experienced Monster Energy AMA Supercross mainstay set for multiple seasons with the organization from 2023.

Chisholm last raced for the HEP Motorsports Suzuki effort in 2019, before departing to start his own ‘Team Chiz’ program aboard YZ450F machinery.

This year saw Chisholm as staple in his own privateer Yamaha 450SX set-up, before receiving the call to fill-in at Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing in 250SX East rounds and achieving a best result of fourth overall in St. Louis.

He later competed in select outdoor nationals on a YZ450F, before contesting the ‘pilot’ World Supercross Championship (WSX) with CDR Yamaha Monster Energy in SX2, unfortunately suffering misfortune across both rounds.

The HEP Motorsports opportunity is expected to see him join Ken Roczen in the team for at least 450SX, however, it remains unclear if Chisholm will compete in Pro Motocross with the squad or the six-round 2023 WSX championship under the Pipes Motorsports Group (PMG) banner at that point.