SmarTop/Bullfrog Spas/Motoconcepts/Honda Team Photos

SmarTop/Bullfrog Spas/Motoconcepts/Honda Team Photos

After a productive preseason of testing, practice, and international races, SmarTop/Bullfrog Spas/MotoConcepts/Honda is ready to take on the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross Series with riders Malcolm Stewart, Vince Friese, and Justin Hill aboard Honda CRF450R motorcycles. With two former 250 Supercross champions and an accomplished racer on the roster, the team is ready to be in the mix for race wins and top-10 finishes at every round of the prestigious championship.

A broken femur cut Malcolm Stewart’s 2019 season short, but his determination during the recovery process earned him an extended contract with the team and the former 250 East Coast Supercross champion is riding better than ever. Stewart’s speed was evident at the Monster Energy Cup in October when he claimed a win in one of the night’s three races and finished third overall. “I am looking forward to a great season. Last year my series was cut real short due to injuries and I’ve been waiting to get back to racing,” says Stewart. “I don’t really have any expectations or goals; I just want to go out and have fun and enjoy the season. Everyone gets riled up about A1 and gets real tense. I am going to go in with the same attitude as last year…just glad to be at the races.”  Expect Stewart to be a contender for race wins through the championship.

It’s easy to see the improvement in Vince Friese’s riding over the years and the class veteran is expected to make more progress in 2020.  “I guess I am the veteran on the team, but I feel better than ever,” stated Friese. “My season was cut short with a knee injury last year but I am 100% healthy and anxious to return to racing. I feel stronger than ever and am looking forward to a great 2020.” An excellent starter that isn’t afraid to defend his position on the track, Friese has figured out the pace and personal fitness needed to run at the front of the pack and is poised for career-best results.

Injuries and issues saddled Justin Hill through the past year, but with a clean bill of health and a new outlook on racing, the former 250 West Coast Supercross champion is eager to show he has what it takes to compete in the 450 class. “I am excited to join the SmarTop/Bullfrog Spas/Motoconcepts/Honda team,” said Hill. “It’s obvious that they’ve always had fast bikes and I’m excited about joining the team and racing alongside Malcolm and Vince. I’ve gotten on a new training regimen in preparation for 2020 and I am excited for a fresh start.”

Team principals Mike Genova and Tony Alessi oversaw the development of the riders and motorcycles during the preseason and both anticipate the 2020 season to be the most successful in SmarTop/Bullfrog Spas/MotoConcepts/Honda’s history. “We are very excited about the new season,” said Team Manager Tony Alessi. “Last year we had some very unfortunate injuries that kept Vince and Malcolm from showing their true potential, but both riders are fit and healthy and ready to pick up where they left off. We are also very excited about bringing Justin Hill onto the team as he is a past champion and knows how to win. This is by far our strongest effort yet, and 2020 is sure to bring some exciting things for our team.”

The 2020 Monster Energy Supercross Series begins at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in California on January 4th, travels the country through seventeen weeks, and concludes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Utah on May 2nd.

Follow Team SmarTop/Bullfrog Spas/Motoconcepts/Honda on Instagram @motoconcepts