Pre-season review

450

Jess Pettis

Jess is heading into 2025 with a new bike, a new team, and a new number. The reigning champ is coming off a strong offseason, making stops at a few key training spots down south, including a notable visit to ClubMX. Observers have already spotted some team-specific parts on his bike. ClubMX has a reputation for pushing boundaries, embracing trial and error to unlock real performance gains, especially with the Yamaha platform.

While the YZ450 is a proven machine straight out of the crate, it’s a significant shift from the KTM Jess rode last season. Still, with a strong 2024 campaign behind him and momentum on his side, Jess looks ready for round 1 from what we saw at the AMO race at team home track Sand De Lee.

Cale Foster has returned to the team to spin wrenchs for the champ this season, some familiar faces has created a very happy Jess at the races, and that can easliy translate to a very fast Jess. Not to mention, theres a wedding in the near future for Mr. Pettis.

“Obviously lots of change in the off season switching to a new team and brand. I’m very excited to drop the gate and get into this race season! It’s been a productive and fun off season

no injuries, and the body is feeling good and ready

my eyes are set at the top! The biggest goal is to be consistent each weekend and be in the title hunt come Walton!”

Dylan Wright

After one of the scariest crashes in recent memory, and a gutsy, though self-admitted “stupid” attempt at an early comeback, Dylan enters this season healthy. And a healthy Dylan is always a threat. While nothing major has changed on the outside, his offseason looked a bit different. He spent long days testing with HRC while the Lawrence brothers recovered from injuries sustained during Supercross, logging more hours on the bike than ever before. Expect him to come in sharp and ready.

Phil Nicoleti

This may be the most unpredictable rider of the year.

Parker Eales

gasgas switch, same team. full time job.

Tanner Ward

Tanner enters the new season with big changes, new bike, new team, and a new role as a dad. Despite ending last fall with an injury that required surgery, he’s had the time to fully recover and build a solid foundation heading into 2025. The 450 rider looks ready to turn the page and make a fresh statement when the gate drops. The team change looks to be a major win, not just for his racing career, but personally as well. He’s not only secured a ride, but also taken steps toward a future with Priority Mechanical beyond the track.

“Nothing too new and exciting, it’s been an uneventful offseason (which is good aha.)

Been healthy and getting even healthier since my injury in the fall!

Honestly I just want to continue to build off last season… it’s been a couple tough years, so just trying to get back to where I once was.”

Quinn Amyotte

New bike, solo gig. best canadian marketing.

Sam Gaynor

After a few years mixing it up on a two-stroke, Sam is set to return to the 450 class. He’s made the move from GasGas to Husqvarna, joining the Atlantic-based AVL Racing team. One unexpected twist this offseason was a switch in gear, after a long run with Troy Lee Designs, Sam is now representing Ontario-based brand OGs. His preseason performances have already turned heads, with moto wins serving as a quick reminder of just how fast he is on a big bike.

“I’m just really excited to get racing and get the season underway! The new Husqvarna 450 is awesome!

Still majorly struggling with my left wrist. Very minimal movement and minimal grip strength but I plan to give it my all!

Goals are to finish the season healthy! I obviously want to be a too 5-8 contender but the class is deep so we will see where I fit in!”

Julien Benek

Julien spent most of the offseason chasing the Supercross dream in the 250 West, eventually wrapping up the series aboard a Triumph 450. Unfortunately, a practice crash in Salt Lake City cut things short, and he’s currently in recovery. But in true Julien fashion, he's confident he’ll be ready to line up for Round 1 in Calgary. Although we saw him on the Triumph all winter, this marks his first outdoor season on the bike, paired with a fresh look in Troy Lee Designs gear.

“Nothing too crazy going on coming into this season. Same old Canadian nationals.

Yeah I did Injure myself at the last supercross round and I’m feeling the injuries more than I would like unfortunately.

Obviously it would be nice to get some podiums but just gonna focus on riding smart and in control.”

Tyler Gibbs

Running his own program, Tyler grabbed a season-best 9th at Deschambault last year. He’s remained consistent with key sponsors, Yamaha and Fox Racing gear, and recently lined up at Seattle Supercross, where it seems his passion for SX was reignited. Here’s hoping we see more of him under the lights next year. Tyler’s always a showman on the track, so when the gate drops in Calgary, expect him to lay it all on the line.

“I’m excited to be back with Yamaha Canada for the outdoors again wouldn’t be able to do it with them and GA Checkpoint. I’m pumped to go racing here very soon.

As for injuries just the usual sore lower back some other stuff but my Guy Dr Sigalet have been working on it.

Goals top 5 each weekend nothing worse then that. Also podium guy is pretty cool so we will see what happens at round 1.”

Lars Van Berkel

Euro

Tanner Scott

i know nothing about this kid

Preston Masciangelo

The big debate with Preston is will he race in US or Canada. Being 1 of 2 Canadians to put a bike in a 250 supercross main this winter it would be an asset to the series to see him on the gate.

250

Ryder McNabb

Preston Kilroy

Dylan Rempel

“Everything has been going very well with the new team and bike!

Exited to go racing and hope to be on the box and battling for some wins.”

Dylan Walsh

Noah Viney

“Excited to be here to race the full series in Canada - the place I was born and where riding started for me. I love the GDR team and I have a long standing relationship with Honda - so this is where I want to be. This series fits perfectly between Supercross/Arenacross and WSX. I am friends with both Ryder and Dylan so that makes this even better.

I had Labrum Surgery (shoulder) it’s been an issue for a while, but I had a bad crash and dislocation at San Diego SX - so it needed to be fixed. I have not been on the bike long but I am feeling strong

Make it through the season injury free and work my way to podiums - I feel like my starts and sprint speed is there, the endurance will come with time on the bike”

Sebastien Racine

Wyatt Kerr

Blake Davies

Clayton Schmucki

Noah Porter

Liam Dodds

Zach Ufimzeff

“Just super excited to be with the Guaranteed Comfort Racing team this year. We’ve really got a great group of people this year and I’m looking forward to spending the summer with these guys. Not an injury but still just dealing with health issues.

We’ve come a long way, and are in a much better spot and looking to battle. Just have to be super on top of things. If you see me pulled over cooking, that’s why hahaha. Goal is to be in the fight. Week in and week out, put myself in good positions. And most importantly have fun, take on the challenge as it comes.”

WMX

Kaylie Kayer

Kitty Ferguson

‘This winter has been a lot different then years previous with training and school. I was able to finish my first year of university , while sneaking away during my breaks to go train for outdoors down south. I have been training in Oklahoma at Reynard training complex, Robbie’s insight and attention to detail has been great to work with. He is demanding and loves to point out what I’m doing wrong , haha. It’s been a great match for me.

As some of you might know, if you keep up with my Instagram, I was in a crash in the fall. I was landed on over a jump and broke my scapula in three spots, two ribs and punctured my lung. I was back in the gym as soon as I was cleared working on rehab with my dry land trainer Chris McDole. I am now the strongest I have ever been coming into the 2025 season, ready to make a comeback.

My goals for this season are to continue to to tap into my agressive riding style while staying consistent through out the year. I would like to finish within the top 5 in all of the west and east coast rounds.”

Destiny Singerland

Brandy Mcarthy

Ani Ferguson

Tea Ferguson

“I’ve been enjoying my grade 11 year, playing all the school sports and maintaining an over 95 average. As well as working with a dry land trainer and spending a bit of time riding down in Oklahoma, the track pig and constant tornado warnings have kept things exciting there!

With my previous pelvis and back injuries, I still have nagging symptoms but do not feel like they will affect me substantially this season.

As for this years goals I would like to be closing in on the top five.”

Jamie Astudillo

Amelie Croteau

Eve Broduer

“Haha yeah only Ste-Julie and Deschambault!”

Hannah Cole

“I’m super excited to be racing west coast this year and I’m ready to get the season started! I’ve been working really hard this winter and I’m excited to prove myself.

This year I’m looking to be in the mix every weekend. Last year was a learning year for me so I’m more than ready to get things started and show everyone how hard I’ve been working.

No injuries feeling healthy and ready and I’d like to keep it that way!”

Kianna Kurtz

Danika White

Bailee Bancarz

follow up"*just got out of surgery