2027 Silly Season

ML512
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7/16/2026 8:19am
ML512 wrote:

Kind of the opposite problem. More capable guys than rides, so average 250 salaries are going up right now.

philG wrote:

That sounds a little bass-ackwards.    Explain how that works.

My brain isn't fully functioning right now. I can't even describe what's going on. 

There are going to be more guys than rides, but there are a few really good guys on the market, so prices are all over the place.

I know plenty of riders who were free or nearly free last year who are getting good pay bumps this year.

Teams like BarX, AEO, Phoenix, and Mx6 are getting aggressive to land riders who can put them in the top five or even podium.

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1
philG
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7/16/2026 8:24am
ML512 wrote:
My brain isn't fully functioning right now. I can't even describe what's going on. There are going to be more guys than rides, but there are a...

My brain isn't fully functioning right now. I can't even describe what's going on. 

There are going to be more guys than rides, but there are a few really good guys on the market, so prices are all over the place.

I know plenty of riders who were free or nearly free last year who are getting good pay bumps this year.

Teams like BarX, AEO, Phoenix, and Mx6 are getting aggressive to land riders who can put them in the top five or even podium.

Ok, so that kinda makes sense now, what we have is more better paid rides, that are also better equipment, so the old way of riding PC for Bonuses because that is the only way to win, or podium doesnt apply so much. 

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7/16/2026 9:06am

@ML512 heard any rumors of when or who the townley kid will ride for when he comes over?

Someone said star is making a push but I can’t remember who but it would make sense with Davies at star and the townley kid riding Yamahas in Europe. 

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ML512
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7/16/2026 9:28am
@ML512 heard any rumors of when or who the townley kid will ride for when he comes over?Someone said star is making a push but I...

@ML512 heard any rumors of when or who the townley kid will ride for when he comes over?

Someone said star is making a push but I can’t remember who but it would make sense with Davies at star and the townley kid riding Yamahas in Europe. 

I would think with Ben's relationship, Star or PC would be the given. With Star doing more with SMX Next and transitioning the riders into pro, I could see that being likely if Ben's kid keeps progressing.

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The Shop

El Capitan
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7/16/2026 11:40am
ML512 wrote:
My brain isn't fully functioning right now. I can't even describe what's going on. There are going to be more guys than rides, but there are a...

My brain isn't fully functioning right now. I can't even describe what's going on. 

There are going to be more guys than rides, but there are a few really good guys on the market, so prices are all over the place.

I know plenty of riders who were free or nearly free last year who are getting good pay bumps this year.

Teams like BarX, AEO, Phoenix, and Mx6 are getting aggressive to land riders who can put them in the top five or even podium.

philG wrote:
Ok, so that kinda makes sense now, what we have is more better paid rides, that are also better equipment, so the old way of riding...

Ok, so that kinda makes sense now, what we have is more better paid rides, that are also better equipment, so the old way of riding PC for Bonuses because that is the only way to win, or podium doesnt apply so much. 

Yes, kinda… But, where is all of this funding coming from? New sponsors? With ClubMX appealing for a major partner/sponsor, the situation in the marketplace  seems even more opaque. 

ML can you give us a hint as to who, exactly, is holding negotiating power? That would be a cool story/video. 

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truck
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7/16/2026 5:39pm

Will be interesting to see how sustainable some of this is. MX6 for example is spending all kinds of money, buying bam land, etc, and has almost zero sponsors. Sounds like it's all being funded by the owner and not sure where that money is coming from? 

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AZ35
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7/16/2026 6:09pm Edited Date/Time 7/16/2026 6:17pm
truck wrote:
Will be interesting to see how sustainable some of this is. MX6 for example is spending all kinds of money, buying bam land, etc, and has...

Will be interesting to see how sustainable some of this is. MX6 for example is spending all kinds of money, buying bam land, etc, and has almost zero sponsors. Sounds like it's all being funded by the owner and not sure where that money is coming from? 

Hopefully it wasn't from Stanley Pophal from Wausau Wi..... (:

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dn315
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7/16/2026 6:23pm
ohh_454 wrote:
ML was saying HEP was pushing for Mookie to do outdoors so that could be a hold up there for him. Barcias also going for that...

ML was saying HEP was pushing for Mookie to do outdoors so that could be a hold up there for him. Barcias also going for that spot at HEP now. 

If Barcia lands that spot, gear deal? Troy Lee Designs gear? Seems like he’s always had a good relationship with them no matter what team he is on, ex: Troy Lee Painted helmets A Stars gear Yamaha days, personal drink deal, Red Bull? Seems unlikely, but you never know 

7/17/2026 6:23am
ohh_454 wrote:
ML was saying HEP was pushing for Mookie to do outdoors so that could be a hold up there for him. Barcias also going for that...

ML was saying HEP was pushing for Mookie to do outdoors so that could be a hold up there for him. Barcias also going for that spot at HEP now. 

dn315 wrote:
If Barcia lands that spot, gear deal? Troy Lee Designs gear? Seems like he’s always had a good relationship with them no matter what team he...

If Barcia lands that spot, gear deal? Troy Lee Designs gear? Seems like he’s always had a good relationship with them no matter what team he is on, ex: Troy Lee Painted helmets A Stars gear Yamaha days, personal drink deal, Red Bull? Seems unlikely, but you never know 

Bam has never screamed “Red Bull guy” to me. If he goes HEP, I’d bet we see him in full TLD with some insane custom Twisted Tea lids. 

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ohh_454
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7/17/2026 6:56am
ohh_454 wrote:
ML was saying HEP was pushing for Mookie to do outdoors so that could be a hold up there for him. Barcias also going for that...

ML was saying HEP was pushing for Mookie to do outdoors so that could be a hold up there for him. Barcias also going for that spot at HEP now. 

dn315 wrote:
If Barcia lands that spot, gear deal? Troy Lee Designs gear? Seems like he’s always had a good relationship with them no matter what team he...

If Barcia lands that spot, gear deal? Troy Lee Designs gear? Seems like he’s always had a good relationship with them no matter what team he is on, ex: Troy Lee Painted helmets A Stars gear Yamaha days, personal drink deal, Red Bull? Seems unlikely, but you never know 

Bam has never screamed “Red Bull guy” to me. If he goes HEP, I’d bet we see him in full TLD with some insane custom Twisted...

Bam has never screamed “Red Bull guy” to me. If he goes HEP, I’d bet we see him in full TLD with some insane custom Twisted Tea lids. 

I feel like Barcia will be down to do whatever the team wants so that he gets the ride. Who’s making the rider decisions at TLD Ducati, TLD or Ducati because with Barcias relationship with Troy, you’d think he’d have a spot there over Ferrandis. 

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DunnySeat
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7/17/2026 8:02am Edited Date/Time 7/17/2026 8:03am
ML512 wrote:

Rick Ware Racing picked up a lot of the tab on this one.

I know the general consensus is that coop is going to Tedder. Is there even outside chance he goes to Club too with Rick Ware picking up the tab since he's doing the opening SMX round with him? Seems like it would be a better fit all around for coop with sponsors and being closer to home.

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Perky
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7/17/2026 8:04am

I’m sure I missed it - do we know if Hymas is staying with HRC next year?

ML512
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7/17/2026 8:11am
ML512 wrote:

Rick Ware Racing picked up a lot of the tab on this one.

DunnySeat wrote:
I know the general consensus is that coop is going to Tedder. Is there even outside chance he goes to Club too with Rick Ware picking...

I know the general consensus is that coop is going to Tedder. Is there even outside chance he goes to Club too with Rick Ware picking up the tab since he's doing the opening SMX round with him? Seems like it would be a better fit all around for coop with sponsors and being closer to home.

Nope. It will be Tedder, Husky, factory support, and Monster for Webb.

Moving to back to NC, the bike will be housed at RWR's shop (much, much closer to Coop's house near Lake Norman than Club which is like an hour and 30 mins south).

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dn315
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7/17/2026 8:30am
dn315 wrote:
If Barcia lands that spot, gear deal? Troy Lee Designs gear? Seems like he’s always had a good relationship with them no matter what team he...

If Barcia lands that spot, gear deal? Troy Lee Designs gear? Seems like he’s always had a good relationship with them no matter what team he is on, ex: Troy Lee Painted helmets A Stars gear Yamaha days, personal drink deal, Red Bull? Seems unlikely, but you never know 

Bam has never screamed “Red Bull guy” to me. If he goes HEP, I’d bet we see him in full TLD with some insane custom Twisted...

Bam has never screamed “Red Bull guy” to me. If he goes HEP, I’d bet we see him in full TLD with some insane custom Twisted Tea lids. 

ohh_454 wrote:
I feel like Barcia will be down to do whatever the team wants so that he gets the ride. Who’s making the rider decisions at TLD...

I feel like Barcia will be down to do whatever the team wants so that he gets the ride. Who’s making the rider decisions at TLD Ducati, TLD or Ducati because with Barcias relationship with Troy, you’d think he’d have a spot there over Ferrandis. 

Ducati is calling the shots 

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Tyler D
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7/17/2026 8:31am

What's going on with Jett Reynolds?

3
Money
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7/17/2026 8:38am
truck wrote:
Will be interesting to see how sustainable some of this is. MX6 for example is spending all kinds of money, buying bam land, etc, and has...

Will be interesting to see how sustainable some of this is. MX6 for example is spending all kinds of money, buying bam land, etc, and has almost zero sponsors. Sounds like it's all being funded by the owner and not sure where that money is coming from? 

Be interesting to watch. Race shop in Cali that has to be massive money in rent each month. 

ohh_454
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7/17/2026 4:27pm
Tyler D wrote:

What's going on with Jett Reynolds?

I’d like to see him get one more shot, hopefully someone takes a gamble on him, he was starting to get some top 10s outdoors for Club when he was there. 

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MX Guy
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7/17/2026 5:48pm
image 3423.png?VersionId=y7VKbiwltWWtEDo1KP7KEtp6O
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MX Guy
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7/17/2026 5:50pm

image 3184

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MX Guy
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7/17/2026 6:08pm Edited Date/Time 7/17/2026 6:09pm

image 3426.png?VersionId=JyF7FZK0l

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1
7/17/2026 6:24pm

Cole Davies to the Reed/Jordan 22/23 Yamaha 450 team. 

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11
-MAVERICK-
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7/19/2026 11:11am

From Matthes:

-Aaron Plessinger will be taking his talents to Triumph for 2027 and beyond. Good signing by both, from people I talk to, Aaron wanted a two-year deal from KTM and there was interest from KTM but not for two years and AP decided to check out. No matter how AP is doing, he’s an amazing ambassador for any brand.

-RJ Hampshire will be moving over to Ducati and from what I hear they’re doing a two-man team so either Dylan Ferrandis or Justin Barcia will be out. Seeing as how Ferrandis told us that there’s been some talks about him coming back, look for it to be DF and RJ in 2027. Tough season for Bam, who has been off the bike a ton due to injuries.

-I think Eli Tomac will be back on a SX-only deal with Red Bull KTM. He is back for Millville this weekend BTW.

-We all thought Pipes Motorsports [Twisted Tea Suzuki] would have Malcolm Stewart there with Ken Roczen and Jason Anderson (Colt Nichols is doing WSX for them so I assume he’s back also?) and he still might be as they’ve talking, I think Stewart has tried the bike (Barcia as well BTW). But Stewart’s in a good spot as there’s talks about returning to Star Yamaha as a third 450SX guy and maybe heading to Monster Energy Kawasaki as well for SX only. Whether that would mean Malcolm takes a third spot (Kawasaki hasn’t had a third premier class guy there since the '90s but, hey, you never know!) or to takes the place of Chase Sexton, that’s up in the air.

-If Sexton and Kawasaki part ways, most think he gets a spot at Star and who knows what in the hell else happens. Chase Sexton is the king of the “IDK Man” for 2026!

-If Stewart doesn’t do Pipes Suzuki, then yeah, Barcia could go there.

-Phoenix Racing is signing Jalek Swoll, Nate Thrasher, and Casey Cochran or maybe none of them or maybe one of them. They’ve all been linked there. Cochran has some interest from Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki as well, but I think Nick Romano has that spot. Maybe Mitch Payton adds a sixth bike because he sees what Star Yamaha is doing?

-Speaking of Pro Circuit, Cameron McAdoo is headed to Quad Lock Honda in 250s. I’ve heard Team Green kid Enzo Temmerman maybe gets put over at MX6 Kawasaki as well, as sort of a holding spot.

-Speaking of Quad Lock Honda, sounds like Shane McElrath is taking his talents from there to Team Beta. Whether that means Benny Bloss or Mitchell Oldenburg is out, I don’t know but I lean towards Mitchell being out. Beta has a 250 coming, they want to put someone on it so maybe kick Freckle back down to 250’s?

-Cooper Webb goes to Tedder Husqvarna alongside Justin Hill with factory services help. He does WSX and SX only. There’s been talk of a third guy but nothing lately.

-Bar-X switches to Husqvarna and keeps Dilan Schwartz and Lux Turner from what I hear.

-The Coenen twins are coming to the USA, but it doesn’t sound like Fly Racing is coming with them. Fly is a DeCarli team (DeCarli runs half of the Red Bull KTM factory squad in MXGP) deal so the twins run the gear there, but if they come here they’re able to shop for whatever they want, and it sounds like Alpinestars is in the lead. Like, seriously Gabrielle, leave some talent for the other brands, please? 

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truck
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7/19/2026 8:04pm Edited Date/Time 7/19/2026 8:05pm

Pulp review pod said kawasaki didn't know sexton was coming to Millville, he bought a ticket and showed up. Couple of comments about if you're looking for a ride you go to where the teams are, implied weege had some info about who he was talking to, Steve said chances he's on kawasaki at A1 went from 50% to 5% this weekend. Chase said in interview it was insulting to suggest he'd be on support team. Did long interviews with Steve and Lewis and was clear in both that this topic was otherwise off limits. Chase said he was there with his agent. Was a comment from the agent standing in the background during one of the interviews about him being under contract and everyone nervously laughed..... 

Star probably has their lawyers looking for the holes in his contract already. Might as well start working on the PR.

12
CPan
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7/19/2026 9:13pm

Based on those Sexton interviews I’d say there’s about a 0.1% chance of seeing him on a Kawi again. 

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7/19/2026 9:15pm
truck wrote:
Pulp review pod said kawasaki didn't know sexton was coming to Millville, he bought a ticket and showed up. Couple of comments about if you're looking...

Pulp review pod said kawasaki didn't know sexton was coming to Millville, he bought a ticket and showed up. Couple of comments about if you're looking for a ride you go to where the teams are, implied weege had some info about who he was talking to, Steve said chances he's on kawasaki at A1 went from 50% to 5% this weekend. Chase said in interview it was insulting to suggest he'd be on support team. Did long interviews with Steve and Lewis and was clear in both that this topic was otherwise off limits. Chase said he was there with his agent. Was a comment from the agent standing in the background during one of the interviews about him being under contract and everyone nervously laughed..... 

Star probably has their lawyers looking for the holes in his contract already. Might as well start working on the PR.

Chase said he was also attending a MXGP event......hmmmmmm.....

7
7/19/2026 9:25pm
truck wrote:
Pulp review pod said kawasaki didn't know sexton was coming to Millville, he bought a ticket and showed up. Couple of comments about if you're looking...

Pulp review pod said kawasaki didn't know sexton was coming to Millville, he bought a ticket and showed up. Couple of comments about if you're looking for a ride you go to where the teams are, implied weege had some info about who he was talking to, Steve said chances he's on kawasaki at A1 went from 50% to 5% this weekend. Chase said in interview it was insulting to suggest he'd be on support team. Did long interviews with Steve and Lewis and was clear in both that this topic was otherwise off limits. Chase said he was there with his agent. Was a comment from the agent standing in the background during one of the interviews about him being under contract and everyone nervously laughed..... 

Star probably has their lawyers looking for the holes in his contract already. Might as well start working on the PR.

Chase said he was also attending a MXGP event......hmmmmmm.....

He said he was attending as a fan, Lewis made sure to mention that a few times in his interview with chase.

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Tyler D
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7/19/2026 9:46pm

Kawasaki will win another title before Sexton does. 

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8
The Wolf Man
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7/19/2026 9:56pm
MX Guy wrote:

image 3184

If this is the case we shall see the following sequence of events:

  • Sexton says the bike is amazing, best he's ever ridden etc.
  • Crashes in SX (most likely through tucking the front)
  • Starts publicaly saying he's working on the bike
  • Rumours out of the pits that Sexton is not happy with the bike
  • Serious 'personality clashes' between Sexton and those at Star
  • Blazing rows between Sexton's dad and the team - especially Bobby
  • Outdoors starts: crashes out early - 'banged up'
  • Starts enquiring through back channels for any potential new rides
  • Leaves the team...

     

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