Kawasaki: Let Prado go and move Kitchen to the 450 asap

Besides Prado, Kitchen has been about the biggest letdown on the track all year.  He’d certainly not be my first choice at this point.  Until you can win on 250s, you don’t belong on 450s.

Marchbanks would be a better candidate for the 450. But he's already locked down with PC for next year. 

Unfortunately, Kitchen is nowhere near ready for the 450 class.

I live about 45M from Washougal and all the background comments are that Kitchen rides a 450 way better than a 250

And Masterpool isn't far down the letdown list from Kitchen...

Not sure about the Kitchen on 450, but for damn sure Mitch is not keeping Masterpool.  He is fully cooked at this point.

My thoughts exactly. I like both of them and want them to do good but both have been a let down this year. I know materpool switched to the same nutritionist as Sexton so hopefully that helps but we will see. 

Yes,  but the mothership pays his salary, something can always be arranged.  Think 99' when RC was in the kawi truck for supercross and back tp PC on the 125.

Kitchen must have an injury or something we don't know about.  He should be a podium guy every week.

I'd love to see Sexton's other training partner take that seat, but energy drinks . . .

“Kitchen” is a really odd way to spell Marchbanks.

But for real, Levi is great but I think the 450 better suits Marchbanks. 

Levi needs to find his mojo again. Marchbanks is ready to do damage and would fit the big bike well. Could be another RJ in the making. I could see him at least knocking down some top 5's.

I heard on one of the podcasts the other day there is a clause for him to go 450 if the opportunity presents itself. It sure looks like the handwriting is on the wall for a Prado exit and Kawi is dangling a hook in front of Kenny. Marchbanks could be an overachieving number 2 on the team if Kenny doesn't bite. Who knows what Sexton we are going to get for that matter.

Kitchen is one of the most talented riders in the 250 class. But talent isn’t everything. He’s a confidence rider, a “feel” rider, and not much different from prado with the fact that if he doesn’t have the “feel” and he’s not feeling “it”, he won’t push through. He won’t grind it out. He doesn’t have the grit for an outdoor championship. He doesn’t have the grit to grind through on his bad days and still get a top 5 to be a real contender. He’s definitely a contender for a regional sx championship though.

He may be better on the 450 though where he’s able to rely more on technique for speed 

The Kitchen hype is ridiculous.

Masterpool is only a letdown for those who were delusional enough to think he was actually going to do something this year.  He’s been a pro since 2019 and has only competed in 10 Supercrosses during that time.  Sorry, but that’s a big part of the game here in the US.

Merchants is a better choice for that spot. 

Tough crowd on Kitchen however, after his crash in Daytona he's lucky to still be on the circuit.  Gonna have to be patient with him and perhaps next year is his year to shine after an offseason to regroup.

Mcadoo

I totally agree with you. 

OMG, I shiver to think of him on a 450. 

Kitchen needs a program like bakers. When he was contending for the title in Sx first year on pc he was still riding the wave from the Swanny program. Since then he’s gone down hill. He needs someone to hold him accountable daily and a structured program. Mitch needs to invest in someone to do that. 

People said the same about RJ and hes ripping on the 450. The extra power make him not have to ride the bike as hard and squeeze everything out of it. 

It could have a similar effect on mcadoo if he were to get an opportunity. 

Dude, the crashes will be epic! I hope that kid wears ALLLLLL the gear. 

He has this. The same person who trains Chase trains him. Peter Park. He trains with Chase, Tom Vialle, and other fast people at a top tier facility. 

He will be fine. He won races this year. He just had a violent crash at high speeds and he isn't fully back to the fine line you have to walk to be at the tip of the spear. 

His crash earlier this year is the kind that can really disrupt between the ears momentum too. No one is talking about that at all. 

Yes,  but RJ has an sx title under his belt, and rode his nuts off this year with an injured wrist.  He earned the factory 450 shot.

Mcadoo is hurt as much as anyone in this sport.  He needs some results.

And followed that up by being an also ran in the outdoors all summer long.