Vital MX Pit Bits: 2024 Fox Raceway | Part One - Motocross Feature

It's a process... Michael Lindsay

Mechanics take their time getting every detail of their rider's start position dialed in. Michael Lindsay

Even brushing out the dirt in between the grates. Michael Lindsay

Tom Vialle is the only rider we noticed with the GP-style starting technique of only using one foot on the ground/stand and one on the pegs. Michael Lindsay

Levi Kitchen took his time to pick his second place gate choice for moto two. Michael Lindsay

Jett Lawrence taking a minute to warm up with a very light demeanor. Pressure? Naw, it's not like he's the defending champ or anything. Octopi Media

Dean Wilson's program was loose come press day, with no graphics in place and his buddy/ex-pro Tommy Week spinning the wrenches. Michael Lindsay

My faith in humanity continues to dwindle. Michael Lindsay

Hunter Lawrence out of the gate like a rocket. Michael Lindsay

The first corner at Fox isn't friendly, with pileups in each moto. Some of these wrecks collected as many as ten-or-so bikes. Here, Derek Kelley looks on in disbelief. Octopi Media

...as his handlebars snapped clean off and left him out of moto two. Michael Lindsay

Chase Sexton dawned his new number four for the first time at the races. Michael Lindsay

Remember how KTM claimed their throttle cable housing on the throttle body broke in Supercross at Nashville? A lot of speculation was offered up after this claim but now the team has a machined aluminum cover in place that is most certainly not stock. Michael Lindsay

The bike with the cutout engine mounts is Plessinger's, as Sexton chooses to run solid engine mounts as seen here. Also, Sexton and Plessinger both chose to revert to the older specification Works WP shock for outdoors. Michael Lindsay

While Vialle and all other factory level Austrian riders are on the latest generation shock that was introduced for the 2024 season. Michael Lindsay

Sexton was one of only two or three factory Austrian riders we found running a WP steering damper. Michael Lindsay

Sexton's KYB insert forks are still in use, but with a 3D printed cover to make it harder to get a clean shot of. Michael Lindsay

KTM typically uses data reels on the forks in the first practice or qualifying session at Supercross and Pro Motocross to help with setup and data collection. Michael Lindsay

However, they left Sexton's on even in the first moto, which is very rare for the brand as the reels can get tangled, especially during the bumping and grinding of turn one. Michael Lindsay

Even though we've mentioned it in Pit Bits twice this year, most have noticed that Red Bull KTM switched from Kite hubs to a new prototype D.I.D. hub, set to be released in the near future. Michael Lindsay

A look at the Technical Touch USA axle brackets with the anodizing blasted off...on Sexton's KYB conversion forks. Michael Lindsay

Sexton and the core of the Red Bull KTM team immediately downloaded after moto two, with Chase breaking down his problem areas and things he wants to improve. Michael Lindsay

Justin Barcia was back on a WP works shock, after finishing Supercross on a modified production shock, similar to what Sexton used mid-season. Michael Lindsay

Justin Barcia is still on the stiffer/out-going generation frame. Michael Lindsay

He was also back on WP 48mm Cone Valve spring forks for the opening round of Pro Motocross, after finishing Supercross onboard KYB conversion forks. Michael Lindsay

Overall, Barcia has been much stronger the past few rounds of racing. Michael Lindsay

Malcolm Stewart was still aboard WP forks and shock and sticking with the older generation frame. Michael Lindsay

The #29 on a Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki for the opening round was not on our bingo card. The decision wasn't made until Thursday, as both Cameron McAdoo and Seth Hammaker were injured during a private track day at Perris Raceway on Tuesday. Both riders were set to race the first round, thus dropping Mitch and the team from three riders to one in a single day. Octopi Media

Ty Masterpool having a chat with his new boss for the Summer. Masterpool's deal is just a fill-in, for now, but is in place for the entire Summer. SMX? We'll see... Octopi Media

Ty was all smiles, all day. Octopi Media

A little last-minute lever adjustment before the start of moto two. The man on the right? Masterpool's dad. It's also funny how much the AMA officials tell everyone on the line "just one rider with one mechanic" and yet no one listens...having trainers and other staff members on the line. Michael Lindsay

Masterpool's pace was great for only having a session or two on the bike from Friday. Crashes derailed his results, but the speed was there. The next round or two should show a lot of improvement. Octopi Media

Ryan Hughes is normally assigned to Maximus Vohland, but with his rider out for the whole Summer...he's been paired with Ty Masterpool. Octopi Media

Intimidating doors to walk through. Octopi Media

Levi Kitchen getting a pre-race stretch in...looks a lil rough there Levi. Octopi Media

Hanging it out on a practice start. Octopi Media

Star's bikes in wait on Thursday... Michael Lindsay

Haiden Deegan's SMX plate colors match up well with the retro Yamaha look. Next week in Hangtown he'll be rocking a red background with yellow numbers as he's now your 250 points leader. Michael Lindsay

Works Connection created a few more purple goodies. Michael Lindsay

Thrasher was still the only rider on the Star 250 we noticed with the hydraulic clutch. It also looks like the Star team has moved to a stiffer swingarm, spot the gusseting? Michael Lindsay

Deegan, Smith, Thrasher, and Bennick all swapped to KYB's spring fork for Pro Motocross...while Nick Romano is the sole 250 rider to stick with the PSF1 air fork from Supercross season. Star has primarily ran the air fork indoors and outdoors since 2013. Michael Lindsay

While most see rivals from the outside, it still appears Deegan and Kitchen get along well behind close doors...or behind the podium in this case. Octopi Media

Your 250 red plate holder. Octopi Media

Justin Cooper was the sole 450 rider for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing at Fox Raceway, and looks to be staying that way until the return of Tomac and then Webb. Octopi Media

Adam Cianciarulo genuinely seemed to be enjoying his first race as a retired spectator. Congrats again on the career AC. Octopi Media

Joey Savatgy made his racing debut for 2024 with the Triumph Factory Racing team. Michael Lindsay

We're used to seeing seat bumps farther back? Is this for the starts? To remind Joey to actually sit father back and behind the bump? He was coy when asked... Michael Lindsay

Steg Pegz! Kitchen has a friend! When asked, Savatgy said he runs them fairly far back and they catch him just when things are about to go bad...but he doesn't rely on them lap-after-lap. Michael Lindsay

One way check valves are common on vent hoses for outdoors, as creating back pressure in the fuel tank and not letting it release can actually make fuel more stable as it gets hot and tries to vaporize. Michael Lindsay

Little X-Trig sag collar peeking through. Michael Lindsay

The Triumph crew is going as long as they can with their wheelbase for outdoors. Michael Lindsay

Joey Savatgy rolled up to the starting line with helmet and goggles on and never took them off prior to moto-two starting. Locked in and ready... Michael Lindsay

Savatgy should bring Triumph their first moto win this Summer. Octopi Media

New Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull GasGas team manager Frankie Latham, holding court with his ex-rider from his mechanic days Ivan Tedesco, and former stable mate at KTM...Ryan Dungey. Michael Lindsay

What's under Schock's jersey? A RXR air-assist chest and back protector. Maybe this explains why Schock bounces so well. Michael Lindsay

It's been two-and-a-half years since Coty Schock lined up for a Pro Motocross National, and the first since 2017 that he was on a 250. He'll get there. Octopi Media

The Muc-Off/FXR/ClubMX Yamaha team rolled up to the opening round of Pro Motocross with two 450 and three 250 racers. With Nicoletti and Marchbanks on YZ450Fs for the Summer, joined by Schock, Reynolds, and Fineis on 250s. Michael Lindsay

The ClubMX crew has been running near flush with the fork setup all year. Michael Lindsay

The ClubMX team has seen a lot of change over the last six weeks or so with suspension. After Enzo Racing parted ways with the team mid-Supercross, the team switched to an in-house technician for the remainder of Supercross and some of their riders are still using that technician. While other riders on the team swapped to new team sponsor, Stapes Suspension. Michael Lindsay

Jake Masterpool has all the starting hook positions, running a two-position Tamer device on each fork leg set at different heights. Four choices? That's way too much for my brain on the line. Michael Lindsay

More first turn messes at Fox. Octopi Media

Who will be the first rider to break this trio on the 450 podium? Ferrandis? Anderson? What's your take. Octopi Media

Part two coming on Thursday... Michael Lindsay

Vital MX Pit Bits: 2024 Fox Raceway | Part One 7

Welcome to another extensive edition of Pit Bits from Fox Raceway

View replies to: Vital MX Pit Bits: 2024 Fox Raceway | Part One

Vital MX Pit Bits: 2024 Fox Raceway | Part One 7

Welcome to another extensive edition of Pit Bits from Fox Raceway

View replies to: Vital MX Pit Bits: 2024 Fox Raceway | Part One

Comments

The Latest

The Latest

Related

Most Popular