The most likely line is going to be to stick to the inside through the corner and then go 2-3-3-3-1. The reasoning is that the inside through the corner is ideal and there is no benefit to tripling in from the outside. The angles of the rhythm section set up for this particular combo. The goal is to always jump “over” the taller jumps and jump from the smallest jumps. That ensures the highest speeds and lowest trajectories. This combo provides that. It also sets up for a single into the final corner which provides needed deceleration and setup for the inside line.

The next short section is a basic step-up-over and a triple into a 180 right. Riders will fire out of that 180 into a short-straight and into a 180 left. We could see contact in these two 180s but it will be aggressive if utilized.

The next straight cuts across the start (and mechanics’ area) and features two step-on step-off’s. The first one will likely be the usual step-on step-off as they won’t have a ton of speed exiting that berm but the second one could turn into a quad, especially with the little single giving them the “compression pop” they will use.

The next left 180 sends riders into the finish line so watch for heavy contact coming out of that fast section leading up to it.

Another 180 after the finish line leads to the only whoops section at A1 and they could be tough. Anaheim has had some of the nastiest whoops but it all depends on how the crew decides to build and maintain them.

Exiting the whoops, a long, right hand sand corner leads to a rhythm section that once again crosses the start straight. Watch for the sand corner to be inside-dominated as there is no real upside to going outside. I expect the rhythm to just be doubled unless the first jump is low enough to wheelie and then triple.

A left hand 180 sends riders back across the start yet again and into another right hand 180. These 180s are going to be crucial for finding the right angles to protect or pass. The last chute across the start sets up into a left and a double-double back into the first corner. That’s one lap around a very busy Angel Stadium.

Who’s Hot

Jett Lawrence won this race last year and then went on to win the SX portion of the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX), as well as the whole enchilada in Vegas. He has a new 2025 to wrangle and will likely face some Deegan-fan wrath on Saturday but when the gate drops, none of that likely matters.

Eli Tomac won the FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) and looks to be back to 2023 form. My only question for Tomac is if he can sustain that level all season and more importantly, is that level enough to beat Jett’s best?

Cooper Webb has been ahead of the game all off-season and he surprised at this race last year. Will he again? Should we be surprised?

Haiden Deegan looks like he’s ready to fight for this West Coast title. It’s the only 250 box left to check (outside of MXoN).

Levi Kitchen is going to get what he wanted: Deegan has come West. The question will now become is if he still wants that come Salt Lake City? I don’t think Kitchen fears Deegan at all. This should be fun.

Simmering

This is a new section for 2025 and for those in that ‘tweener land between hot and cold.

Chase Sexton had a miserable end to 2024 with an injury at Vegas. He’s also dealing with a lot of behind-the-scenes drama with his employer. On the plus side, I hear he is riding much better than last year and has the bike in a better place, too. See... Simmering.

Hunter Lawrence had a fantastic rookie 450SMX season and then won the AUS-X Open in a return to his homeland. He also looked like he was fighting the motorcycle a bit in Paris (and was not the fastest guy in Australia, to be fair). Is this the breakout year or sophomore slump?

Jason Anderson had a tough 2023 and 2024 but is in a contract year and is always dangerous when motivated. Is this the comeback year?