Tampa - Incoming!

By David Hogan (@always.moto on Instagram)

Monster Energy AMA Supercross is heading to Tampa, Florida this week for round 5 of the 17-round Supercross series.

The news heading to Tampa has mostly been surgery talk for Jett Lawrence. But what else is going on in AMA Supercross this week?

Yes, Jett’s knee and confirmation of his ACL tear have dominated the news. The interesting part of this whole story for me is the fitness race to be ready for Round One of ProMotocross. From surgery to Round One. It's 3 months and 20 days. That's a short turnaround even for a 21-year-old. Will he be ready in time?

• Who steps up? With Jett Lawrence going for surgery. He has essentially handed in the number one plate for Supercross as of Tampa. But who is going to take the step forward to grab hold of it come round 17 in Salt Lake City?
  Chase Sexton is the current points leader, the first man to win two races so far in 2025. Along with also looking much more settled on his KTM so far this season compared to last year. For some reason though. There is something about this season so far that isn't jumping out at me to say he will be your champ in 2025. Why is that? Could it be the fact that he won the Glendale Triple Crown with 3-3-2 Moto scores and wasn’t ever really in the hunt for a Moto win in Glendale? Or is it the fact that his starts are so inconsistent? Something about the four rounds so far isn't telling me he is in tip-top form just yet.
  
  Ken Roczen has been his spritely opening-round self in 2025. The Suzuki is looking on point and Ken has been jumping Quads and pulling holeshots. But as is all too familiar with Ken Roczen in Supercross. Ever since that infamous 2017 crash. Is Ken’s inability to maintain the pace and his health over 17 rounds of Supercross. As much as most people's hearts will be with Kenny for this title fight. Until he proves he has the speed and fitness late in moto’s much later in this season. Only then will we all be able to put our heads with our hearts for Ken’s title hopes.
  
  Eli Tomac. Beast Mode is somewhat there in 2025. It might just be a tick-off at present but something is happening there for Eli. his Achilles heal in this series (Pardon the pun but it was worth it), his starts. Inconsistent starts couple with a Beast Mode that is a tick under its glory days where any start could be overcome with a balls-to-the-wall ride to first. Is not quite capable in this file at this stage of Eli’s career. At least not what we have seen through four rounds so far. But with Jett out. You have to think Eli will see this as his opportunity to go out on top. A fairy tale that should have happened in 2023 if not for that Achilles rupture in Denver.
  
  Cooper Webb, The little auditing accountant that just picks up points has had a slow start to the season so far due to a crash and time off the bike in December. But Glendale was a turn-up for Cooper Webb. not known for good results in Glendale. He was only a bad start in one race away from the overall after Jett went out injured. But for a guy like Cooper Webb. That is confidence-inspiring. Confidence is what Webb thrives on. I bet he feels about a foot taller this week with the knowledge that Jett is out and his riding is coming around. I feel that Cooper Webb, despite being fourth in points at present is actually the man in the driver's seat of this 450 championship. 

• Let's not forget that this week marks the start of maybe the most stacked East Coast 250 championship on record. But the interesting part of the East Coast is always how fit the riders are for round one. Many come in off delayed pre-seasons from offseason surgery or injuries that forced a switch to the East. RJ Hampshire is one such rider. He would obviously love to be running the Number One out West, but his wrist decided otherwise (Interesting point here, why can’t he run a 1W this year anyways. Or at least during the Showdowns?). 

• Tom Vialle will be doing well to hold onto the 1E in 2025. The list of guys chasing him is astonishing for a single coast. RJ Hampshire, Levi Kitchen, Austin Forkner, Max Anstie, Seth Hammaker, Cameron Mcadoo, Chance Hymas, Nate Thrasher, Daxton Bennick and even Carson Mumford. This field is deep. Qualifying from the heat straight to the main event will be a feat in itself.

• Sand in Tampa. It’s become somewhat of a Tampa staple. A rhythm sand section that is more challenging than trying to ride up a freshly oiled conveyor belt with a fresh paddle tyre. The goggle guys must love this round as there is also a sweeping sand section making this track seem more like the riders went to the beach to catch a wave than Raymond James Stadium for a Supercross Race.
  

Who do you predict will be this week's winner? Will it be the sign of who takes hold of the championship?

That’s the news heading to Tampa. See you at the track.

By David Hogan (@always.moto on Instagram)