Second Run

Last year was Julien Beaumer’s rookie run in supercross, and he did pretty well, earning seventh overall and picking up sixth, in Anaheim, as his best result of the season. He also earned AMA 250SX rookie of the year honors along the way and was extremely impressive at the first round of SMX, where he took second overall. His fitness has improved since last year, and he’s also armed with experience and knowledge. Will it be enough for him to land on the podium this weekend? -Hansel

Reloaded

Eli Tomac made an impressive return to racing last year following his torn Achilles tendon, sustained in Denver in 2023, but he wasn’t quite back at his previous level when he lined up to race in 2024. Well, he’s had whole year to get back on pace, and he even recently won the 2024 World Supercross Championship. How will Tomac fare when the gate drops this Saturday night? -Hansel

The Australian Elephant in the Stadium

Whether you admit it or not, you’re wondering whether or not Jett Lawrence is going to win the season opener on Saturday. Everyone is, and the people who aren’t are already convinced he will. That’s because he’s the best in the world right now, and it’s been quite a long time since anyone has been able to mount a sustainable challenge against him. Will the dominance continue, or has the competition closed the gap during the offseason? -Hansel

The World Champ

Riders coming from Europe to race in America is nothing new, but this year there is a gigantic name coming to America—Jorge Prado. Fresh off his second MXGP championship, the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider is set begin his first full season in America this Saturday. He raced a few 450SX races at the beginning of last year, finishing as high as seventh, but that was a mud race, as was much of the first leg of 2024. How will the world champ stack up in his first race of his first dedicated season of Monster Energy Supercross? -Hansel