Quick thoughts: Anaheim one

Image: Feld Entertainment Inc. Article: Jonathan McCready

It was an unforgettable opener for the 2025 supercross season at a sold out Anaheim 1 with both title favourites coming from the back and rivals showing they are up for the challenge and have upped their pace from 2024!

Here are a few take-aways from being at Anaheim 1:

  • Julien Beaumer is the real deal, qualifying quicker than Deegan and showing poise and composure in the main event to accept second. He is calm and confident and ready to challenge for the title.
  • Cole Davies is ready! The Kiwi was not phased in his first ever supercross and could quickly become one of the contenders. Last to 8th in the main event, and he wasn’t far off Deegan’s pace for a long time coming through the field. This kid could become something pretty special, the technique is there and so is the speed and mindset. Star have signed a future star.
  • Aaron Plessinger got the loudest cheers in opening ceremonies, the fans absolutely love him! Eli Tomac was next in the popularity stakes… and the crowd went nuts when he took the lead!
  • Sexton is ready! This was the Chase Sexton we had all been waiting for. He said he only got the setting feel he wanted the Friday before the race, but it was worth the wait. Sexton looked back to his 2023 form and that could be a problem for the rest of the field.
  • Tomac is back! The off-season races clearly paid dividends for Eli Tomac who looked great from the moment he hit the track in press day. Last to fifth in a deep field can’t be overlooked either. He salvaged some good points and is set to be a title threat.
  • The Lawrences have work to do. 11th and 12th are not the results the Brothers are here for but the set-up still isn’t quite there as Jett admitted in his Instagram post. Numerous times through the whoops Jett’s bike was fish tailing, it wasn’t just the time he crashed – and Hunter crashed in the same spot. Can they figure it out in a week? The momentum has switches and Jett needs to get it back quickly and he usually does. He said no more Mr. Nice Guy coming into San Diego but the door is open and Sexton and the rest want to take advantage.
  • Ken Roczen says hello! Even Ken Roczen didn’t feel like a title contender in the pre-race press conference but if he rides like he did at A1, then he could well be in that battle. Not shining in the day time, Roczen came to life in the night show and it was great to see. Roczen said he got sick a couple of weeks ago but before that he fell great, let’s see if he can keep the momentum going because Ken Roczen on form makes things exciting.
  • Deegan giving everyone hope. Haiden Deegan was bubbling with confidence going into A1 and, with Forkner and then Kitchen switching to the East it looked like he would have very little competition. But then Deegan crashed on the first lap and Jo Shimoda took an impressive win with Beaumer second and suddenly they now have the confidence that a title is possible. But they better beware of Deegan, he will come out angry in San Diego and his pass on Schock on the last lap may be an indication of what the rest could be in for… but they know they have a shot at Deegan and the title now!