2021 Houston One Supercross | Race Preview & Details

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2021 HOUSTON ONE SUPERCROSS | COMPLETE COVERAGE

Race day. With all of the training, testing, and anticipation complete, we’re finally ready to start the 2021 Monster Energy Supercross with the 2021 Houston One Supercross. This truly is one of the most talented fields in the history of the sport, something that has been stated countless times over the last few months, and riders will be tested in every way possible over the next seventeen races. They will have to be fast on the track, avoid any sort of injury or issue (a positive test result and resulting isolation period would effectively end any championship hope), and do it multiple times a week as part of the condensed schedule. This season will be a true test of a rider’s skill.

THE COMPETITION

We’ll say it one more time: this is one of the most decorated and well-supported field of competitors in recent memory. The 450 Class entry list is highlighted with factory-backed, championship-winning riders, all of whom believe that this could be their best year every, while the 250 Class is complete with young talent that want to make a mark. As eager as everyone is to get to battle, they know getting through the first round without issue is the key to a championship.

It’s almost impossible to say with confidence who will take the win in either class. The opening round is known for unpredictable finishes and big swings in results, which could certainly be the case again this weekend. Every rider mentioned featured on the entry lists below have experienced the highs and lows of race one, so will they push the pace or will they wait for the right opportunity?

Friday’s press riding session didn’t give us much insight as to what Saturday could bring. The 250 Class riders were a bundle of energy and clicked off very quick laps in both sessions while the 450 Class riders seemed to be more reserved in their actions. We should have a real idea of the competition by the end of the free practice sessions.

THE TRACK

Having the first set of races at NRG Stadium in Houston brings a whole other set of challenges. The rectangular floor is meant for a football team, which means the track design is much different than the baseball diamond we’re used to see at Angels Stadium. Long lanes of obstacles are connected by 180-degree bowl turns, and only two 45-degree left turns, we should see ample passing opportunities.

The first round is usually a mellow build, as no one wants to see a rider claimed on the first day by an unruly section. The shape of the whoops, transitions between the jumps, and obstacles are challenging, for sure, but don’t seem to be too gnarly. There are plenty of options and lines for riders to choose from, especially in the two back-to-back rhythman lanes. Could bring the pack closer together or allow a runaway?

One last thing about the track: the dirt will develop differently throughout the track. We watched holes and ruts get carved into the turns during Friday’s riding session, but saw how slick and hard the clay was in the flatter sections. 

2021 HOUSTON ONE SUPERCROSS
250 CLASS EAST COAST REGION
PROVISIONAL ENTRY LIST

18. Jett Lawrence
24. RJ Hampshire
29. Christian Craig
30. Jo Shimoda
38. Austin Forkner
42. Michael Mosiman
49. Mitchell Oldenburg
50. Enzo Lopes
55. John Short
64. Colt Nichols
76. Grant Harlan
85. Kevin Moranz
87. Curren Thurman
88. Logan Karnow
95. Josh Osby
99. Hunter Sayles
115. Max Vohland
116. TJ Albright
122. Jeremy Hand
124. Lane Shaw
125. Luke Neese
134. Jess Pettis
151. Carter Gordon
160. Vincent Murphy
162. Max Sanford
170. Devin Simonson
181. Wyatt Lyonsmith
185. Wilson Fleming
193. Hunter Schlosser
216. Devin Harriman
241. Josh Varize
260. Dylan Woodcock
364. Chad Saultz
384. Lorenzo Camporese
512. Austin Cozadd
551. Guillaume St-Cyr
604. Max Miller
625. Jonah Geistler
693. Rene Garcia
773. Thomas Do
914. Geran Stapleton

MISSING FROM THE ENTRY LIST

6. Jeremy Martin | Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha has assigned Martin to the 250 West Coast region.

26. Alex Martin | Manluk/Rock River Yamaha/Merge Racing and Martin will race the 250 West Coast region.

31. Cameron McAdoo | Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki has assigned McAdoo to the 250 West Coast region.

32. Justin Cooper | Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha has assigned Cooper to the 250 West Coast region.

33. Derek Drake | The BAR X/Chaparral/ECSTAR Suzuki is currently recovering from a compound fracture to his femur. He is hopeful to race the 250 West Coast region.

35. Mitchell Harrison | Muc-Off Honda has assigned Harrison to the 250 West Coast region.

39. Carson Mumford | FXR/Chaparral/Honda and Mumford will race the 250 West Coast region.

41. Hunter Lawrence | The Team Honda HRC rider spent much of the offseason recovering from a shoulder injury. He will line up in the 250 West Coast region.

45. Pierce Brown | The Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing rider is currently recovering from a knee injury. He will line up in the 250 West Coast region.

47. Jalek Swoll | Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing has assigned Swoll to the 250 West Coast region.

48. Garrett Marchbanks | Club MX and Marchbanks will race the 250 West Coast region.

52. Luke Clout | The Australian racer has signed with CDR Yamaha in Australia for 2021.

56. Kyle Peters | The Phoenix Honda rider is currently competing in the Kicker Arenacross series. He is set to line up for the 250 West Coast region. 

58. Jacob Hayes | A badly broken femur and complicated recovery will keep Hayes from lining up in the near future.

59. Jarrett Frye | Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha has assigned Frye to the 250 West Coast region.

60. Chris Blose | AJE Motorsports/GASGAS and Blose will race the 250 West Coast region.

61. Joey Crown | Club MX and Crown will race the 250 West Coast region.

62. Mason Gonzales | A broken ankle and lower leg will sideline Gonzales for the start of the season. 

63. Martin Castelo | JMC Motorsports Husqvarna and Castelo will race the 250 West Coast region.

65. Carson Brown | JMC Motorsports Husqvarna and Brown will race the 250 West Coast region.

66. Jordan Bailey | The rider split from TiLube Honda and will compete in the 250 West Coast region as a privateer.

67. Stilez Robertson | Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing has assigned Robertson to the 250 West Coast region.

68. Jace Owen | Club MX and Owen will race the 250 West Coast region.

69. Robbie Wageman | Team Solitaire/Nuclear Blast/Yamaha and Wageman will race the 250 West Coast region.

71. Killian Auberson | The Swiss rider suffered a career-ending injury in 2020. You can donate to his Road2Recovery fund by clicking this link.

72. Coty Schock | FXR/Chaparral/Honda and Mumford will race the 250 West Coast region.

73. Derek Kelley | AJE Motorsports/GASGAS and Kelley will race the 250 West Coast region.

74. Mitchell Falk | AJE Motorsports/GASGAS and Falk will race the 250 West Coast region.

80. Jordon Smith | The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider is recovering from a wrist-hand injury. He will line up in the 250 West Coast region.

90. Dilan Schwartz | BAR X/Chaparral/ECSTAR Suzuki has assigned Schwartz to the 250 West Coast region.

91. Nate Thrasher | Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha has assigned Thrasher to the 250 West Coast region.

93. Hardy Munoz | Team Solitaire/Nuclear Blast/Yamaha and Munoz will race the 250 West Coast region.

464. Dominique Thury | Club MX and Thury will race the 250 West Coast region.

510. Seth Hammaker | Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki has assigned Hammaker to the 250 West Coast region.

951. Ryan Surratt | PRMX/Wossner/Deep South Kawasaki has assigned Surratt to the 250 West Coast region.

2021 HOUSTON ONE SUPERCROSS
450 CLASS
PROVISIONAL ENTRY LIST

1. Eli Tomac
2. Cooper Webb
7. Aaron Plessinger
9. Adam Cianciarulo
10. Justin Brayton
11. Kyle Chisholm
14. Dylan Ferrandis
15. Dean Wilson
16. Zach Osborne
17. Joey Savatgy
19. Justin Bogle
20. Broc Tickle
21. Jason Anderson
23. Chase Sexton
25. Marvin Musquin
27. Malcolm Stewart
28. Brandon Hartranft
36. Martin Davalos
37. Benny Bloss
40. Vince Friese
43. Fredrik Noren
51. Justin Barcia
57. Justin Rodbell
81. Justin Starling
83. Alex Ray
94. Ken Roczen
114. Nick Schmidt
121. Chris Howell
184. Scott Champion
280. Cade Clason
282. Theodore Pauli
309. Jeremy Smith
330. AJ Catanzaro
421. Vann Martin
447. Deven Raper
501. Scotty Wennerstrom
509. Alex Nagy
597. Mason Kerr
606. Ronnie Stewart
637. Bobby Piazza
722. Adam Enticknap
795. Aaron Leininger
805. Carlen Gardner
824. Carter Stephenson
848. Joan Cros
952. Ludovic Macler
974. Brian Marty
976. Josh Greco
981. Austin Politelli

MISSING FROM THE LIST

4. Blake Baggett | A contract dispute with Rocky Mountain ATV-MC/WPS/KTM and recent surgery have put Baggett’s career on pause for the time being.

12. Shane McElrath | The SmarTop/Bullfrog Spas/MotoConcepts/Honda rider will miss the opening round due to a Grade Three AC separation. A return date has not been established.

22. Chad Reed | The two-time champion has retired from full-time professional racing.

34. Max Anstie | The Twisted Tea/HEP Motorsports/Suzuki rider had a hard crash during his last day of preseason practice. Anstie will miss the first rounds of the season with a back injury.

44. Tyler Bowers | The privateer will miss the first six rounds of 2021 after a recent change in sponsorship funding.

46. Justin Hill | It’s unclear what Hill will do in 2021 following a split from the SmarTop/Bullfrog Spas/MotoConcepts/Honda team.