2027 Silly Season

Thats the same Prado did. I know its dificult and only agree if Lucas is 100% healthy but thats the way to go. Practice does mean nothing to racing

Who is doing the 250 Motors are they in house?

In-house.

Lucas doing select rounds would be the best decision they could make IMO. He needs to get 100% healthy and not knock his confidence jumping straight into the deep end. If he’s killing it, let him go for it. 

Interesting thank you👍

MARIETTA, Ga. – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing is pleased to announce a multi-year deal with Casey Cochran that will see the 20-year-old make his debut with the team in the upcoming 2027 Supermotocross World Championship season. Completing a powerhouse lineup aboard the all-new YZ250F, Cochran joins the reigning 250SX East and 250MX Champion Cole Davies, Kayden Minear, Caden Dudney, Landen Gordon, and Pierce Brown.

One of the sport’s top up-and-coming riders, Cochran made his first pro start at the Budds Creek National in 2023. That year, the six-time Loretta Lynn’s AMA Amateur National Motocross Champion enjoyed a successful conclusion to his amateur career, earning the 250SX Futures Championship and AMA Youth Rider of the Year honors. Although injuries over the past two seasons have not allowed him to show his full potential in the pro ranks, the 20-year-old from Portsmouth, Virginia, has shown the speed to challenge up front and is eager to make his debut with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing in 2027.

The 2027 season kicks off on January 9 with the opening round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.

Jensen Hendler – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 250 Team Manager

“We are very excited to have Casey join us. He has impressed me for years, and I am looking forward to seeing what he can do on our team. With our program, Casey’s talent and his strong work ethic, I feel we have a winning combination."

Casey Cochran – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #49

“I’m super stoked and grateful to be joining Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing for the 2027 SMX season. This is an opportunity I’ve worked hard for, and I’m ready to make the most of it. I can’t wait to get to work with the team and see what we can accomplish together.”

MARIETTA, Ga. – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing is excited to announce the addition of three talented riders to its amateur program: Levi and Jaggar Townley, and Easton Graves. The trio has signed multi-year deals with the team and will join Carson Wood to battle for top honors at the amateur nationals.

For Levi Townley, 2027 marks not only a debut with the team but his racing debut in the U.S. The son of Ben Townley, Levi brings an impressive international résumé, highlighted by the 2024 FIM 85cc Junior Motocross World Championship, four New Zealand motocross titles and a runner-up finish in the YZ125 class at the 2024 YZ BLU CRU SuperFinale at Matterley Basin in the U.K. He spent the past two seasons competing in Europe, including the EMX125 Championship with the MJC Yamaha Official EMX125 team. The 16-year-old from New Zealand now moves up to the 250 class for a full season, racing 250A and Open Pro Sport at the amateur nationals and competing in SMX Next aboard the YZ250F.

Jaggar Townley also joins the team to make his debut in the U.S. The 14-year-old New Zealander had a strong showing during his two-year tenure in Europe. He finished third in the 2025 EMX85 Championship and, despite little seat time aboard the YZ125, earned a runner-up finish at the 2026 YZ BLU CRU SuperFinale in Ernée, France. Also a former New Zealand Junior Motocross Champion, the younger Townley brother looks to build on that success as he steps up to the 125cc category aboard the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing YZ125, racing the 125 B/C and Schoolboy 1 classes at the amateur nationals.

Fellow new recruit Graves has established himself as one of the top rising talents in amateur motocross. The young rider from Louisiana earned his first Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s in 2023, along with a runner-up finish at the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship in the 65cc class. He added another national title in 2026, earning the number-one plate in Supermini 2 at Loretta Lynn’s as well as sweeping all three of his classes at the Spring-A-Ding. Graves now moves up to the 250B class and aims to continue his progression through the amateur ranks and SMX Next aboard the team’s YZ250F.

The amateur team will get its racing season underway at the 54th Annual Thor Mini O’s, November 21–28, at Gatorback Cycle Park in Alachua, Florida. 

Jensen Hendler – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 250 Team Manager

“We are very excited about the future of our team and adding three talented riders to our program. Easton is coming off a very dominant run in the Supermini classes. He is adapting quickly to the bigger bike and showing a lot of potential, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do on the 250. It’s also great to have both Levi and Jaggar join the team. They’ve gained valuable experience racing in Europe over the past two years, and we’re excited to help them continue their development here in the U.S. All three riders have a lot of potential, and we’re looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish together.” 

Levi Townley – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #26

“I’m really excited. I can't wait, really. It’s been a dream of mine since I was little to come to America and race, and obviously to do it with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing is super exciting. It’s one of the best teams, if not the best team, right now in America. So it’s super exciting to be able to come over here and race on this team.”  

Jaggar Townley – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #43

“I’m really excited to come over to the U.S. It’s a dream come true, and to ride for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing is a really awesome opportunity. We’ve had a couple of days already, and the bike’s amazing and the team has been really supportive.”

Easton Graves – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #31

a rumor floated was Quadlock is talking to Chase. IF, he went there i cant imagine he wouldnt be on factory equipment but with the 27 being all new, parts would be an issue. Would Honda do a deal like giving Chase the Lawrences '26 bikes? Theyre already sorted out and wouldnt need much in testing

Mx6 kawi is shutting down

Seriously? Any word on what’s happening with their riders? 

Mx6 closing up shop. One and done. 

Yup, it's done. Riders and staff all looking for jobs.

So what changed at MX6?

I thought it was another "Rich guy starts a team" type of deal.

Major health issue with one of the owners, very major and sad.

any word on where Ollie Stone is going?

It sounds like Olly is going to focus on finding his staff their new gigs, shutting down the operation, getting stuff prepped for sale, etc. So I think he will be the last Mx6 employee in a sense.

Good grief. That dark cloud just won't quit following Jett Reynolds around.

Enzo has gotten the short end of the stick many times too. 

Would be cool to see AEO or BarX take a shot on him. 

Big Oof for the whole roster. what does a team like this do with all the parts, bikes, truck etc? 

Bummer deal for everyone

I think it would be cool to see HEP or another team get some support from suzuki and get a 250 program going again  (can hope for 2028 season)

Hope Olly finds a decent gig, think he’d be a good replacement to manage a certain green team.

The level MX6 were at, I was really anticipating them running the Ducati factory 250 effort next year. 

Don’t they own a private facility on the west coast, as well as, Bam land?

I think PMG might run a few 250s but I’m not 100%

Chad Reed is quoted as saying he needs to get busy ordering a truck and equipment for his new team… Looks turn-key to me. 

Bro just came in and dropped the info early- of course vital downvotes it 🤣

This aged well. In the last 12 months we’ve seen not one, but two riders who were mid-contract change teams. 

Nothing is impossible.