Usually the 250 West tends to be the most glamorous coast but with injury, illness and maybe a little, say it quietly, avoiding Haiden Deegan, the East coast is absolutely stacked heading into this weekend in Tampa!
Last year’s West champ RJ Hampshire is is in after injury stopped his chances of running the number 1 plate, and he will go up against defending champion, Tom Vialle, and now, thanks to illness at A1, Levi Kitchen, the guy who came so close to winning West last year until McAdoo’s crash took down Kitchen and Mitch Payton had more, “I cant believe this,” thoughts.
McAdoo is also East as is Seth Hammaker. Star have Max Anstie and new signing Pierce Brown as title contenders plus Nate Thrasher and Daxton Bennick. Triumph moved Forkner East and he should be a contender with that fire breathing machine, Honda have the returning Chance Hymas coming off his ACL injury but when that kid is on he is FAST. Club MX have the returning Max Vohland who has the skills to impress if he has recovered from his injury.
So, who is the favourite? About eight guys will think they are the man to win this title, but for me, it might just be Levi Kitchen. He was fantastic last year until he ended up involved in McAdoo’s crash, now he has a years more experience and could just be the guy to beat along with Hampshire and Vialle but the Star boys and Brown could also have their say. If Forkner stays fit and can adapt the Triumph he might be the fastest rider on the track.
This could be a year to remember in 250 East!
Title Predictions:
- Levi Kitchen
- Tom Vialle
- Max Anstie
- Austin Forkner
- RJ Hampshire
