Who was the worst 250 SX champ turned 450 ?

jmo443
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12/14/2025 1:14pm
Boomslang wrote:
How can there be a "worst" 250 Champ?They had to be shit hot to win it in the first place...then they move up and have to...

How can there be a "worst" 250 Champ?

They had to be shit hot to win it in the first place...then they move up and have to face a whole bunch of champions. 

Wins and championships in the 450 class is reserved for the very special dudes.

Any 250 champion that goes through a 450 career without a win should not be smirked at. 

Yep. Let’s hand out ALLLLL the participation trophy’s bud. 

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Spoonguy
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12/14/2025 1:19pm

I can certainly see Boomslang's point. Any qualifier for a 450 main is a bad ass scooter racer.

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UpTiTe
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12/14/2025 1:35pm
Nairb#70 wrote:

Pourcel got the shaft worse than anyone, after 2 titles in a row.

UpTiTe wrote:

I truly like Poucel, but he did it to himself, twice. 

Flatliner wrote:
I mean,  to a degree maybe.... but he was dominant two years in a row sx wise.... and also won a bunch outdoors.  I don't think...

I mean,  to a degree maybe.... but he was dominant two years in a row sx wise.... and also won a bunch outdoors.  I don't think RV had any interest in being teammates.  Really doubt they signed Weimer on the cheap, but probably less than 377 was asking for.

Pourcel moved up during bad economic times for motocross. RV took a sizable cut to stay on Kawasaki, and Pourcel was demanding more than RV got. Kawasaki countered, he said no, Weimer told them he would race for that amount. 

 I felt bad for him until he turned down a factory connection Honda ride on a bike he tested and rode because they would only pay bonus money, to take a paid ride on a Yamaha he hated but for good money. Them left early because he hated the bike. 

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bc775
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12/14/2025 1:37pm

I know people say bogle but he was winning heat races in 450sx and won an outdoor overall and a moto. Unfortunately the guy that comes to mind for me even tho he is successful as a test guy is tickle. Wilbur is the next guy that comes to mind. 

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The Shop

Mikeh0870
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12/14/2025 1:53pm

I know AC didn't win a 250SX championship but he did win a 250 outdoors championship, and with all his hype to not even win 1 450 SX overall would have to be underwhelming for sure

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kage173
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-MAVERICK- wrote:
Number of 450/250 SX ChampionsSince 1974 there's been a total of 24 Champions out of a possible 52.Pierre Karsmakers: 1974Jimmy Ellis: 1975Jimmy Weinert : 1976Bob...

Number of 450/250 SX Champions

Since 1974 there's been a total of 24 Champions out of a possible 52.

Pierre Karsmakers: 1974

Jimmy Ellis: 1975

Jimmy Weinert : 1976

Bob Hannah: 1977, 1978 & 1979

Mike Bell: 1980

Mark Barnett: 1981

Donnie Hansen: 1982

David Bailey: 1983

Johnny O'Mara: 1984

Jeff Ward: 1985 & 1987

Rick Johnson: 1986 & 1988

Jeff Stanton: 1989, 1990 & 1992

Jean-Michel Bayle : 1991

Jeremy McGrath: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999 & 2000

Jeff Emig: 1997

Ricky Carmichael: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005 & 2006

Chad Reed: 2004 & 2008

James Stewart: 2007 & 2009

Ryan Dungey: 2010, 2015, 2016 & 2017

Ryan Villopoto: 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014

Jason Anderson: 2018

Cooper Webb: 2019, 2021 & 2025

Eli Tomac: 2020 & 2022

Chase Sexton: 2023

Jett Lawrence: 2024

Number of 450/250 MX Champions

Since 1972 there's been a total of 28 Champions out of a possible 54.

Gary Jones: 1972, 1973 & 1974

Tony DiStefano: 1975, 1976 & 1977

Bob Hannah: 1978 & 1979

Kent Howerton: 1980 & 1981

Donnie Hansen: 1982

David Bailey: 1983

Rick Johnson: 1984, 1986 & 1987

Jeff Ward: 1985 & 1988

Jeff Stanton: 1989, 1990 & 1992

Jean-Michel Bayle: 1991

Mike Kiedrowski: 1993

Mike LaRocco: 1994

Jeremy McGrath: 1995 

Jeff Emig: 1996 & 1997

Doug Henry: 1998

Greg Albertyn: 1999

Ricky Carmichael: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 & 2006

Grant Langston: 2007

James Stewart: 2008

Chad Reed: 2009

Ryan Dungey: 2010, 2012 & 2015

Ryan Villopoto: 2011 & 2013

Ken Roczen: 2014 & 2016

Eli Tomac: 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2022

Zach Osborne: 2020

Dylan Ferrandis: 2021

Jett Lawrence: 2023 & 2025

Chase Sexton: 2024

Edit:

69 Riders have won at least one 250/450SX Main Event. 

96 Riders have won at least one 250/450MX overall. 

Makes you realize how under rated Dungey is

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ohh_454
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UpTiTe wrote:

I truly like Poucel, but he did it to himself, twice. 

Flatliner wrote:
I mean,  to a degree maybe.... but he was dominant two years in a row sx wise.... and also won a bunch outdoors.  I don't think...

I mean,  to a degree maybe.... but he was dominant two years in a row sx wise.... and also won a bunch outdoors.  I don't think RV had any interest in being teammates.  Really doubt they signed Weimer on the cheap, but probably less than 377 was asking for.

UpTiTe wrote:
Pourcel moved up during bad economic times for motocross. RV took a sizable cut to stay on Kawasaki, and Pourcel was demanding more than RV got...

Pourcel moved up during bad economic times for motocross. RV took a sizable cut to stay on Kawasaki, and Pourcel was demanding more than RV got. Kawasaki countered, he said no, Weimer told them he would race for that amount. 

 I felt bad for him until he turned down a factory connection Honda ride on a bike he tested and rode because they would only pay bonus money, to take a paid ride on a Yamaha he hated but for good money. Them left early because he hated the bike. 

This would’ve been cool to see 


IMG 4064 1.jpeg?VersionId=cmayG1FREp1f

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FroDiddy
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12/14/2025 3:23pm

He definitely isn't the worst, but Damon Huffman was thought to be the heir apparent to McGrath, or at least a guy who would challenge him.

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ohh_454
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Hate to say it, but Ben Townley didn’t really do jack on a 450 mainly due to injuries, not speed. He had a good 450 season outdoors with TLD in 2010 and man it would’ve been awesome to see him on the Reeds Honda on 2012 if he hadn’t yard sailed himself before the opener. I think he did win a 450 go on Everts Suzuki team in 2016 or 2017. 

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BusterScruggs
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12/14/2025 3:45pm Edited Date/Time 12/14/2025 6:19pm

Robby Reynard

It says “Champions”. Not only did a 250 Championship elude Reynard, he didn’t have one single SX win. 

He always was an over-hyped, fragile crasher. 

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Piston Slap
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12/14/2025 4:00pm

Robby Reynard

I was there at the sx race the first time he separated shoulder/collarbone. . Was and am still a huge fan....

That started a long string of shoulder injuries. .

He had a badass win at Unadilla one year tho!!!!

Pisto .

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Piston Slap
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12/14/2025 4:02pm

It says “Champions”. Not only did a 250 Championship elude Reynard, he didn’t have one single SX win. 

He always was an over-hyped, fragile crasher. 

Ala Allesi???

Trey Canard???

Tough crowd here. . .carry on.

 

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12/14/2025 4:07pm Edited Date/Time 12/15/2025 12:46pm
Mikeh0870 wrote:
I know AC didn't win a 250SX championship but he did win a 250 outdoors championship, and with all his hype to not even win 1...

I know AC didn't win a 250SX championship but he did win a 250 outdoors championship, and with all his hype to not even win 1 450 SX overall would have to be underwhelming for sure

In my unofficial book, AC is close enough to being included in this list.    

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KurtJ99
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12/14/2025 4:27pm
ohh_454 wrote:
Hate to say it, but Ben Townley didn’t really do jack on a 450 mainly due to injuries, not speed. He had a good 450 season...

Hate to say it, but Ben Townley didn’t really do jack on a 450 mainly due to injuries, not speed. He had a good 450 season outdoors with TLD in 2010 and man it would’ve been awesome to see him on the Reeds Honda on 2012 if he hadn’t yard sailed himself before the opener. I think he did win a 450 go on Everts Suzuki team in 2016 or 2017. 

Don’t let big Lew hear you say that. 

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yamahaha131
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12/14/2025 4:38pm
ThreadKill wrote:

Unpopular opinion - Pastrana

Was gonna say it. And it kills me. My favorite of all time hands down 😬

BusterScruggs
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I tried to quote @Tokyo_Tiddler but they had already deleted their nonsensical reply. 

IMG 1448.png?VersionId=wgiohjFlFRpSaSz

CrGuy2T
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12/14/2025 6:20pm

Cianciarulo

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matze
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12/14/2025 6:27pm Edited Date/Time 12/14/2025 6:28pm

bogle & nichols

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Tokyo_Tiddler
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12/14/2025 6:34pm
I tried to quote @Tokyo_Tiddler but they had already deleted their nonsensical reply. 

I tried to quote @Tokyo_Tiddler but they had already deleted their nonsensical reply. 

IMG 1448.png?VersionId=wgiohjFlFRpSaSz

You were right, I admit it!... I thought he had won a 125 championship and googled it to double check and found a statement that he had won the 125cc regional SX championship in 1998.  I reread the source a second time after noticing some peculiarities and googled further, and yes you are right as Carmichael was the east coast 125 SX champ in 1998. You can't even trust AI search engines sometimes. Here is what it pulled up for me, which proved to be incorrect;

=============================================

Robbie Reynard Career History

Robbie Reynard's career in motocross began with his amateur success and transitioned into professional racing. Here's a brief overview of his career highlights:
 
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BusterScruggs
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12/14/2025 6:42pm

Biggest hyped mini cycle racer, who never came to pro fruition? 

Justin Buckelew. 

Won everything as an amateur. Won San Diego in 2001 and promptly fell off the map! His Mom, Sandy, was a great person. 

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ohh_454
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Biggest hyped mini cycle racer, who never came to pro fruition? Justin Buckelew. Won everything as an amateur. Won San Diego in 2001 and promptly fell off the...

Biggest hyped mini cycle racer, who never came to pro fruition? 

Justin Buckelew. 

Won everything as an amateur. Won San Diego in 2001 and promptly fell off the map! His Mom, Sandy, was a great person. 

Yaa that one was pretty crazy. He got a PC Kawi ride for ‘03 and then tore his ACL I think and that was his last shot at a factory bike. I remember seeing him at a race at Racetown 395 up in the high desert on his PC Kawi and win the pro class, my brother beat Chris Blose in one of the novice motos 😁🤣🤣

flopper12
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12/14/2025 6:50pm

Reynard won the World SX Championship in 99 on a Suzuki I believe. 

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yamathumb
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12/14/2025 6:56pm
I tried to quote @Tokyo_Tiddler but they had already deleted their nonsensical reply. 

I tried to quote @Tokyo_Tiddler but they had already deleted their nonsensical reply. 

IMG 1448.png?VersionId=wgiohjFlFRpSaSz

You were right, I admit it!... I thought he had won a 125 championship and googled it to double check and found a statement that he...

You were right, I admit it!... I thought he had won a 125 championship and googled it to double check and found a statement that he had won the 125cc regional SX championship in 1998.  I reread the source a second time after noticing some peculiarities and googled further, and yes you are right as Carmichael was the east coast 125 SX champ in 1998. You can't even trust AI search engines sometimes. Here is what it pulled up for me, which proved to be incorrect;

=============================================

Robbie Reynard Career History

Robbie Reynard's career in motocross began with his amateur success and transitioned into professional racing. Here's a brief overview of his career highlights:
 

Um, Ai i usually wrong in some way about 95% of the time in my experience. Social media comments are a more accurate source even. 

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yamathumb
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12/14/2025 7:00pm Edited Date/Time 12/14/2025 7:01pm

This is why I asked in another thread: if Deegan Never wins a 450sx main, Do we feel sorry for him? It wouldnt be that out of the ordinary and, I myself though not a fan per se, will feel sorry for him. Many guys have been spirit crushed by the 450sx class ie: Alessi cried just to win a heat race. How about all the 1 win wonders: DR D, Josh Grant come to mind. Did Josh Hill win more than 1?

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yamathumb
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12/14/2025 7:02pm

Brayton only won a single main as well correct?

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endurox
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12/14/2025 10:04pm

Anyone have a list of lites champions that never went on to win a 250/450 race? 

-MAVERICK- wrote:
125/250 SX Champions to Never Win a 250/450 Race* Riders in italics are still activeEddie Warren: 1985 125SX East ChampionBobby Moore: 1985 125SX West...

125/250 SX Champions to Never Win a 250/450 Race

* Riders in italics are still active

Eddie Warren: 1985 125SX East Champion

Bobby Moore: 1985 125SX West Champion (never moved up)

Keith Turpin: 1986 125SX East Champion (only did one 250SX race and finished 20th.)

Donny Schmit: 1986 125SX West Champion

Ron Tichenor: 1987 125SX East Champion

Willie Surratt: 1987 125SX West Champion

Todd DeHoop: 1988 125SX East Champion 

Denny Stephenson: 1990 125SX East Champion

Ty Davis: 1990 125SX West Champion

Brian Swink: 1991 & 1992 125SX East Champion

Jimmy Gaddis: 1993 125SX West Champion 

Ernesto Fonseca: 1999 125SX East & 2001 125SX West Champion

Stéphane Roncada: 2000 125SX East Champion

Shae Bentley: 2000 125SX West Champion (never moved up)

Travis Pastrana: 2001 125SX East Champion 

Travis Preston: 2002 125SX West Champions

Branden Jesseman: 2003 125SX East Champion (never moved up)

Ben Townley: 2007 SX Lites East Champion

Jason Lawrence: 2008 SX Lites West Champion

Christophe Pourcel: 2009 & 2010 SX Lites East Champion

Jake Weimer: 2010 SX Lites West Champion 

Broc Tickle: 2011 SX Lites West Champion 

Wil Hahn: 2013 250SX East Champion

Justin Hill: 2017 250SX West Champion 

Colt Nichols: 2021 250SX East Champion

Justin Cooper: 2021 250SX West Champion

Christian Craig: 2022 250SX West Champion 

Edit: Typo

Though Bobby Moore and Donny Schmidt went on to win mxgp championships. 

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Gukamonster
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12/14/2025 11:16pm

Factoid of the day.  Brandon Jesseman actually did move up to 450 for one national at Freestone in 2009 on the factory Kawasaki.  They brought in him and Ricky Dietrich to fill in for the injured Tim Ferry and Villopoto.  Jesseman crashed hard in practice and never raced.

Also, few people remember, but Jesseman actually beat out Chad Reed for 2nd in the 2002 125 Motocross standings.  The RacerX vault has it wrong and shows them tied.  Jesseman got one more point and was second to James Stewart.

image 2383.png?VersionId=ZyC
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