2027 Silly Season

MXMattii
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5104
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BE
7/22/2026 7:24pm Edited Date/Time 7/22/2026 7:31pm
t_baum88 wrote:
Seems like we went pretty far in two directions regarding factories hiring 250 riders5-10 years ago they got rid of any second or third years that...

Seems like we went pretty far in two directions regarding factories hiring 250 riders

5-10 years ago they got rid of any second or third years that weren't capable of winning and hired the next best things from amateurs, usually 2 a year or so.

Then the last 5 years it's swung the other way, keep the older more experienced 250 guys in the class longer and try to mold them in to a position to win.

Star has kept their am to pro pipeline largely intact compared to the other 250 teams. That combined with the best motorcycle in the class has resulted in them remaining the top 250 team for what are we at almost ten years now?


Food for thought..

 

I don't think Star has a real pipeline to the amateurs, so much as Bobby just swoops in and buys up all the good prospects other...

I don't think Star has a real pipeline to the amateurs, so much as Bobby just swoops in and buys up all the good prospects other people have discovered. It happened to DB a few times when he was head of the KTM am program, notably with Davies and Minear...

Money wrote:

It’s not stars fault that DB and ktm dropped the ball and didnt offer these kids pro deals. 

The fact that Yamaha signed Davies, while Townley is his wingman and Townley is close to Mitch too is crazy! I know Townley and Coppins (both their kids are coming through the ranks look them up.) are Yamaha ambassadors and their kids are all on Yamaha but at that moment, if you are PC you sell your soul to the devil. Use Townley and do everything to sign Davies. That kid was wheel tapping himself into broken down whoops to blitz them and this all on a lent Austrian bike! It is indeed also ridiculous that KTM didn't offered him a deal or a weak deal.

But it feels a bit like that all teams lose to a deal from Star Racing, Bobby seems to have no problem with overspending some money if that gives him the Davies, Manear, Blake Bohannon, Haiden Deegans ... of this world. I'm curious if PC will scoop up Tim Lopes (rides SX and MX like a charm!). This Frenchie rides for Bud Racing, is riding Loretta has already won the French 85cc championship this season and learns from people like Benjamin Coisy, Marvin Musquin, Eric Sorby... 

11
aeffertz
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La Crosse, WI, USA
7/22/2026 10:38pm Edited Date/Time 7/22/2026 11:02pm
Money wrote:

It’s not stars fault that DB and ktm dropped the ball and didnt offer these kids pro deals. 

It's not really fair to say Blair dropped the ball on those kids he signed. DB didn't have the blank check to write. In fact, he left KTM because they didn't listen to him after they let multiple riders he signed go despite that being exactly what he was hired to do (fix their amateur-to-pro program).

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2
Motofinne
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FI
7/22/2026 10:54pm

And that was during the time when PMG was in financial turbulence. KTM couldn't commit, they had much bigger problems to deal with than signing relatively speaking expensive teenage racers and the riders chose better pathways.

Wrong place at the wrong time.

3
Cortami79
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1965
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NL
7/22/2026 11:56pm
Motofinne wrote:
And that was during the time when PMG was in financial turbulence. KTM couldn't commit, they had much bigger problems to deal with than signing relatively...

And that was during the time when PMG was in financial turbulence. KTM couldn't commit, they had much bigger problems to deal with than signing relatively speaking expensive teenage racers and the riders chose better pathways.

Wrong place at the wrong time.

And something to add here, they did have a period where they did sign young talents for 3 to 5(!) years before turning pro. Mostly with EMX65/85 champions or Junior World Champions. They did it with Pootjes, Laengefelder, Prado, Savaste, Mewse. Some of them worked out well, others didn't. They backed it down massively with that strategy

2

The Shop

-MAVERICK-
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Location
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7/23/2026 6:45am

Anstie

5
Goon645
Posts
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Pyramid Valley, AQ
Fantasy
7/24/2026 3:53am

Crasha, Mathis, Camden, Simon and Guillem are all able to go 1-1 at any AMA outdoor 250 race so Malin isnt even being slightly ridiculous. Sand or not those 5 guys can 1-1 on any given day against any other 250 rider on earth.

2
13
NickoBrap
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Somewhere, MI, USA
7/24/2026 4:41am
-MAVERICK- wrote:

Anstie

I think Anstie is really gonna shine at club. He's just what they need at this point. Hopefully this helps them take a big step.

8
Hodge336
Posts
239
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Location
Waterville, ME, USA
Fantasy
7/24/2026 6:46am Edited Date/Time 7/24/2026 6:47am
t_baum88 wrote:
Seems like we went pretty far in two directions regarding factories hiring 250 riders5-10 years ago they got rid of any second or third years that...

Seems like we went pretty far in two directions regarding factories hiring 250 riders

5-10 years ago they got rid of any second or third years that weren't capable of winning and hired the next best things from amateurs, usually 2 a year or so.

Then the last 5 years it's swung the other way, keep the older more experienced 250 guys in the class longer and try to mold them in to a position to win.

Star has kept their am to pro pipeline largely intact compared to the other 250 teams. That combined with the best motorcycle in the class has resulted in them remaining the top 250 team for what are we at almost ten years now?


Food for thought..

 

I don't think Star has a real pipeline to the amateurs, so much as Bobby just swoops in and buys up all the good prospects other...

I don't think Star has a real pipeline to the amateurs, so much as Bobby just swoops in and buys up all the good prospects other people have discovered. It happened to DB a few times when he was head of the KTM am program, notably with Davies and Minear...

Money wrote:

It’s not stars fault that DB and ktm dropped the ball and didnt offer these kids pro deals. 

I don’t remember which pod it was, but after Davies went to Star Blair was talking about how cheap he got him for, just a few bikes and some parts for futures only and after futures KTM offered him an amateur deal. Star offered a multi year deal that lead to the pros. Kind of a no brainer which I would take

6
Zycki11
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Location
Edwardsville, IL, USA
7/24/2026 7:12am
I don't think Star has a real pipeline to the amateurs, so much as Bobby just swoops in and buys up all the good prospects other...

I don't think Star has a real pipeline to the amateurs, so much as Bobby just swoops in and buys up all the good prospects other people have discovered. It happened to DB a few times when he was head of the KTM am program, notably with Davies and Minear...

Money wrote:

It’s not stars fault that DB and ktm dropped the ball and didnt offer these kids pro deals. 

MXMattii wrote:
The fact that Yamaha signed Davies, while Townley is his wingman and Townley is close to Mitch too is crazy! I know Townley and Coppins (both...

The fact that Yamaha signed Davies, while Townley is his wingman and Townley is close to Mitch too is crazy! I know Townley and Coppins (both their kids are coming through the ranks look them up.) are Yamaha ambassadors and their kids are all on Yamaha but at that moment, if you are PC you sell your soul to the devil. Use Townley and do everything to sign Davies. That kid was wheel tapping himself into broken down whoops to blitz them and this all on a lent Austrian bike! It is indeed also ridiculous that KTM didn't offered him a deal or a weak deal.

But it feels a bit like that all teams lose to a deal from Star Racing, Bobby seems to have no problem with overspending some money if that gives him the Davies, Manear, Blake Bohannon, Haiden Deegans ... of this world. I'm curious if PC will scoop up Tim Lopes (rides SX and MX like a charm!). This Frenchie rides for Bud Racing, is riding Loretta has already won the French 85cc championship this season and learns from people like Benjamin Coisy, Marvin Musquin, Eric Sorby... 

Davies also rode Yamahas so he was familiar with them.  Still a no brainer, Star is the team with the Yamaha currently being the top bike.  They have a structure and facility in place that PC can't come close to matching. It is more than just one thing

7
1
Tyler D
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La, CA, USA
7/24/2026 1:37pm Edited Date/Time 7/24/2026 10:44pm
-MAVERICK- wrote:

Anstie

NickoBrap wrote:

I think Anstie is really gonna shine at club. He's just what they need at this point. Hopefully this helps them take a big step.

idk why but i sorta have anstie fatigue. its sorta like when craig was on 250s. maybe if he'd stop crashing and getting hurt he'd deserve the press he gets?

6
3
kiwifan
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9799
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USA
7/24/2026 2:19pm
I don't think Star has a real pipeline to the amateurs, so much as Bobby just swoops in and buys up all the good prospects other...

I don't think Star has a real pipeline to the amateurs, so much as Bobby just swoops in and buys up all the good prospects other people have discovered. It happened to DB a few times when he was head of the KTM am program, notably with Davies and Minear...

Money wrote:

It’s not stars fault that DB and ktm dropped the ball and didnt offer these kids pro deals. 

MXMattii wrote:
The fact that Yamaha signed Davies, while Townley is his wingman and Townley is close to Mitch too is crazy! I know Townley and Coppins (both...

The fact that Yamaha signed Davies, while Townley is his wingman and Townley is close to Mitch too is crazy! I know Townley and Coppins (both their kids are coming through the ranks look them up.) are Yamaha ambassadors and their kids are all on Yamaha but at that moment, if you are PC you sell your soul to the devil. Use Townley and do everything to sign Davies. That kid was wheel tapping himself into broken down whoops to blitz them and this all on a lent Austrian bike! It is indeed also ridiculous that KTM didn't offered him a deal or a weak deal.

But it feels a bit like that all teams lose to a deal from Star Racing, Bobby seems to have no problem with overspending some money if that gives him the Davies, Manear, Blake Bohannon, Haiden Deegans ... of this world. I'm curious if PC will scoop up Tim Lopes (rides SX and MX like a charm!). This Frenchie rides for Bud Racing, is riding Loretta has already won the French 85cc championship this season and learns from people like Benjamin Coisy, Marvin Musquin, Eric Sorby... 

Good points, my bet is Kawasaki. I wonder if Honda will also look at him as they need a top 250 rider 

-MAVERICK-
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Ontario, CA
7/24/2026 8:49pm

From Racerhead #30

-Coming off another Achilles tear, Jalek Swoll started riding last week and appears headed to the Phoenix Honda squad, with either Casey Cochran or Michael Mosiman possibly moving to the red team as well.

-The Bar X team, which is switching to Husqvarnas next year, is also in talks with Cochran, but seems to have secured Lux Turner for another year.

-MX6 Kawasaki will most likely keep Derek Kelley and Henry Miller but bring in two new riders (possibly Cullin Park and Enzo Temmerman).

-The Beta USA team is also bringing in one or two 250 riders, but there's no word on who that is at this time.

-Ducati will not be fielding a 250 team in 2027 but hopes to do so in 2028 for SX/MX.

-Cameron McAdoo looks to be a done deal at Quad Lock Honda, riding with Webb, Hill, and others in North Carolina.

-In the world of KTM, it looks to remain Julien Beaumer and Sacha Coenen, but Ryder D/Daxton Bennick could come over to the orange side.

14
mb60
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GRAPEVINE, TX, USA
7/24/2026 9:30pm

Matty B asked Cochran about being blue next year. 

2
ML512
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Location
Wildomar, CA, USA
Fantasy
7/24/2026 11:36pm
-MAVERICK- wrote:
From Racerhead #30-Coming off another Achilles tear, Jalek Swoll started riding last week and appears headed to the Phoenix Honda squad, with either Casey Cochran or...

From Racerhead #30

-Coming off another Achilles tear, Jalek Swoll started riding last week and appears headed to the Phoenix Honda squad, with either Casey Cochran or Michael Mosiman possibly moving to the red team as well.

-The Bar X team, which is switching to Husqvarnas next year, is also in talks with Cochran, but seems to have secured Lux Turner for another year.

-MX6 Kawasaki will most likely keep Derek Kelley and Henry Miller but bring in two new riders (possibly Cullin Park and Enzo Temmerman).

-The Beta USA team is also bringing in one or two 250 riders, but there's no word on who that is at this time.

-Ducati will not be fielding a 250 team in 2027 but hopes to do so in 2028 for SX/MX.

-Cameron McAdoo looks to be a done deal at Quad Lock Honda, riding with Webb, Hill, and others in North Carolina.

-In the world of KTM, it looks to remain Julien Beaumer and Sacha Coenen, but Ryder D/Daxton Bennick could come over to the orange side.

There are a few odd ones in there.

Mx6 hasn't asked Kelley to return.

A few people have reached out to Cochran's camp, but he's waiting out a potential Star offer...

8
ML512
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7/24/2026 11:37pm
mb60 wrote:

Matty B asked Cochran about being blue next year. 

Possibly, but not a done deal.

3
kelso.184
Posts
73
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Location
AU
7/25/2026 3:10am
mb60 wrote:

Matty B asked Cochran about being blue next year. 

ML512 wrote:

Possibly, but not a done deal.

Do you have a current “looks to be locked in” list to save going through all 17 pages lol 

1
6
7/25/2026 7:51am

WSX posted Macadoo on Quad Lock. Does that mean he is racing round 1 on a Honda? Will he now race SMX on a Honda? 

1
uncledaddy69
Posts
2516
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Location
Huntington Beach, CA, USA
7/25/2026 7:53am
James538 wrote:

WSX posted Macadoo on Quad Lock. Does that mean he is racing round 1 on a Honda? Will he now race SMX on a Honda? 

No. He’ll be on a Kawasaki until after SMX. 

7
8500rpm
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SE
7/25/2026 9:14am

Hey @Motofinne what is happening with Finnish motocross?  Finland used to at least have some riders in top20 of MX2 and MXGP.... did they move to Sweden and Norway and Denmark ? Smile ....what's going on, how's the amateur scene ?

Money
Posts
1891
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Location
Fresno, CA, USA
7/25/2026 9:16am
-MAVERICK- wrote:
From Racerhead #30-Coming off another Achilles tear, Jalek Swoll started riding last week and appears headed to the Phoenix Honda squad, with either Casey Cochran or...

From Racerhead #30

-Coming off another Achilles tear, Jalek Swoll started riding last week and appears headed to the Phoenix Honda squad, with either Casey Cochran or Michael Mosiman possibly moving to the red team as well.

-The Bar X team, which is switching to Husqvarnas next year, is also in talks with Cochran, but seems to have secured Lux Turner for another year.

-MX6 Kawasaki will most likely keep Derek Kelley and Henry Miller but bring in two new riders (possibly Cullin Park and Enzo Temmerman).

-The Beta USA team is also bringing in one or two 250 riders, but there's no word on who that is at this time.

-Ducati will not be fielding a 250 team in 2027 but hopes to do so in 2028 for SX/MX.

-Cameron McAdoo looks to be a done deal at Quad Lock Honda, riding with Webb, Hill, and others in North Carolina.

-In the world of KTM, it looks to remain Julien Beaumer and Sacha Coenen, but Ryder D/Daxton Bennick could come over to the orange side.

Cam going to NC must mean he will be training with Brayton there. Wonder if that whole NC crew is going to be trained by JB

1
ohh_454
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Nuevo, CA, USA
Fantasy
7/25/2026 9:26am
-MAVERICK- wrote:
From Racerhead #30-Coming off another Achilles tear, Jalek Swoll started riding last week and appears headed to the Phoenix Honda squad, with either Casey Cochran or...

From Racerhead #30

-Coming off another Achilles tear, Jalek Swoll started riding last week and appears headed to the Phoenix Honda squad, with either Casey Cochran or Michael Mosiman possibly moving to the red team as well.

-The Bar X team, which is switching to Husqvarnas next year, is also in talks with Cochran, but seems to have secured Lux Turner for another year.

-MX6 Kawasaki will most likely keep Derek Kelley and Henry Miller but bring in two new riders (possibly Cullin Park and Enzo Temmerman).

-The Beta USA team is also bringing in one or two 250 riders, but there's no word on who that is at this time.

-Ducati will not be fielding a 250 team in 2027 but hopes to do so in 2028 for SX/MX.

-Cameron McAdoo looks to be a done deal at Quad Lock Honda, riding with Webb, Hill, and others in North Carolina.

-In the world of KTM, it looks to remain Julien Beaumer and Sacha Coenen, but Ryder D/Daxton Bennick could come over to the orange side.

Money wrote:

Cam going to NC must mean he will be training with Brayton there. Wonder if that whole NC crew is going to be trained by JB

Isn’t he an agent now too? I thought I heard Anstie say that JB was his agent. 

1
-MAVERICK-
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7/25/2026 10:18am
Money wrote:

Cam going to NC must mean he will be training with Brayton there. Wonder if that whole NC crew is going to be trained by JB

I thought QuadLock was riding out of MTF. Moving the team to NC? 

Anyone know what Davalos is doing? Parted ways with the team. 

3
mxaniac
Posts
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Airway Heights, WA, USA
7/25/2026 10:35am
ohh_454 wrote:

Mitch/PC should’ve made an offer to Farres that he couldn’t refuse.

Flatliner wrote:
For all the guys that want to come over... there's as many or more who enjoy the lifestyle of the gp's, living in Europe as a...

For all the guys that want to come over... there's as many or more who enjoy the lifestyle of the gp's, living in Europe as a whole.

I knew a prominent star on the GP circuit in the 70s. He said he went there a boy, but became a man quite quickly. Groupies were a real thing.

ohh_454
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7/25/2026 10:38am
Money wrote:

Cam going to NC must mean he will be training with Brayton there. Wonder if that whole NC crew is going to be trained by JB

-MAVERICK- wrote:

I thought QuadLock was riding out of MTF. Moving the team to NC? 

Anyone know what Davalos is doing? Parted ways with the team. 

Triumph?

Money
Posts
1891
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Location
Fresno, CA, USA
7/25/2026 10:59am
Money wrote:

Cam going to NC must mean he will be training with Brayton there. Wonder if that whole NC crew is going to be trained by JB

-MAVERICK- wrote:

I thought QuadLock was riding out of MTF. Moving the team to NC? 

Anyone know what Davalos is doing? Parted ways with the team. 

ohh_454 wrote:

Triumph?

IMG 0404 5
13
1
ohh_454
Posts
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Location
Nuevo, CA, USA
Fantasy
7/25/2026 11:01am
-MAVERICK- wrote:

I thought QuadLock was riding out of MTF. Moving the team to NC? 

Anyone know what Davalos is doing? Parted ways with the team. 

ohh_454 wrote:

Triumph?

Money wrote:
IMG 0404 5

Ohh Marty you sly devil 🤣🤣🤣🤣

7/25/2026 11:15am
-MAVERICK- wrote:
From Racerhead #30-Coming off another Achilles tear, Jalek Swoll started riding last week and appears headed to the Phoenix Honda squad, with either Casey Cochran or...

From Racerhead #30

-Coming off another Achilles tear, Jalek Swoll started riding last week and appears headed to the Phoenix Honda squad, with either Casey Cochran or Michael Mosiman possibly moving to the red team as well.

-The Bar X team, which is switching to Husqvarnas next year, is also in talks with Cochran, but seems to have secured Lux Turner for another year.

-MX6 Kawasaki will most likely keep Derek Kelley and Henry Miller but bring in two new riders (possibly Cullin Park and Enzo Temmerman).

-The Beta USA team is also bringing in one or two 250 riders, but there's no word on who that is at this time.

-Ducati will not be fielding a 250 team in 2027 but hopes to do so in 2028 for SX/MX.

-Cameron McAdoo looks to be a done deal at Quad Lock Honda, riding with Webb, Hill, and others in North Carolina.

-In the world of KTM, it looks to remain Julien Beaumer and Sacha Coenen, but Ryder D/Daxton Bennick could come over to the orange side.

Money wrote:

Cam going to NC must mean he will be training with Brayton there. Wonder if that whole NC crew is going to be trained by JB

ohh_454 wrote:

Isn’t he an agent now too? I thought I heard Anstie say that JB was his agent. 

I’m not sure if he would call himself that but he does act as an agent for several people. He has said he is an advisor but it’s just a different word for agent to me. 

3
7/25/2026 11:30am
t_baum88 wrote:
Seems like we went pretty far in two directions regarding factories hiring 250 riders5-10 years ago they got rid of any second or third years that...

Seems like we went pretty far in two directions regarding factories hiring 250 riders

5-10 years ago they got rid of any second or third years that weren't capable of winning and hired the next best things from amateurs, usually 2 a year or so.

Then the last 5 years it's swung the other way, keep the older more experienced 250 guys in the class longer and try to mold them in to a position to win.

Star has kept their am to pro pipeline largely intact compared to the other 250 teams. That combined with the best motorcycle in the class has resulted in them remaining the top 250 team for what are we at almost ten years now?


Food for thought..

 

I don't think Star has a real pipeline to the amateurs, so much as Bobby just swoops in and buys up all the good prospects other...

I don't think Star has a real pipeline to the amateurs, so much as Bobby just swoops in and buys up all the good prospects other people have discovered. It happened to DB a few times when he was head of the KTM am program, notably with Davies and Minear...

Money wrote:

It’s not stars fault that DB and ktm dropped the ball and didnt offer these kids pro deals. 

DB and KTM offered both their guys deals, Star offered more. Star told Davies dad what he was willing to pay, DB went to his bosses to match, then said no. I can’t blame them, but Star flat out stole Menear after he won a combine race.

DB took a chance on those two, got them here, and Star offered them the world. 

5
2
7/25/2026 11:32am
-MAVERICK- wrote:
From Racerhead #30-Coming off another Achilles tear, Jalek Swoll started riding last week and appears headed to the Phoenix Honda squad, with either Casey Cochran or...

From Racerhead #30

-Coming off another Achilles tear, Jalek Swoll started riding last week and appears headed to the Phoenix Honda squad, with either Casey Cochran or Michael Mosiman possibly moving to the red team as well.

-The Bar X team, which is switching to Husqvarnas next year, is also in talks with Cochran, but seems to have secured Lux Turner for another year.

-MX6 Kawasaki will most likely keep Derek Kelley and Henry Miller but bring in two new riders (possibly Cullin Park and Enzo Temmerman).

-The Beta USA team is also bringing in one or two 250 riders, but there's no word on who that is at this time.

-Ducati will not be fielding a 250 team in 2027 but hopes to do so in 2028 for SX/MX.

-Cameron McAdoo looks to be a done deal at Quad Lock Honda, riding with Webb, Hill, and others in North Carolina.

-In the world of KTM, it looks to remain Julien Beaumer and Sacha Coenen, but Ryder D/Daxton Bennick could come over to the orange side.

Money wrote:

Cam going to NC must mean he will be training with Brayton there. Wonder if that whole NC crew is going to be trained by JB

ohh_454 wrote:

Isn’t he an agent now too? I thought I heard Anstie say that JB was his agent. 

JB is Cams and Ansties agents. He’s negotiated Cams first deal at Moto Concepts. 

2
JDub067
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Location
AU
7/27/2026 1:07pm Edited Date/Time 7/27/2026 1:08pm

Anyone hear Lewis post race interviews yesterday? Ferrandis sounds like he is really considering retirement, maybe he calls it a career and Barcia stays?

1
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