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After a breakout season in 2017, Justin Bogle will be switching teams but staying on a Suzuki. (Photo: Jeff Kardas / Racer X Online) |
450 Class silly season update
It's been a few weeks since the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship season ended, which means that riders with expiring contracts have been free to officially sign new deals. Here's a recap of some offseason items you may have missed.
Red Bull KTM signs Broc Tickle
With both Ryan Dungey and Trey Canard retiring midseason in 2017, there was a spot open on the factory KTM team alongside Marvin Musquin, who signed a multi-year extension through 2019 several months ago. That spot will be filled by Broc Tickle, who moves over from the now-shuttered RCH Suzuki team that had been his home since 2013. That also means that, like Musquin, Tickle will now be working with renowned trainer Aldon Baker as part of this arrangement.
JGR adds Justin Bogle, re-signs Weston Peick
With the RCH Suzuki program now gone, Joe Gibbs Racing has become Suzuki's official factory team. The team's big signing was Justin Bogle, who was in search of a ride thanks to the disbandment of his old team (RCH). With two moto wins during the 2017 outdoor season, Bogle had raised his stock too high to pass up. He'll pair up with Weston Peick, who will return to JGR, the team where he has been since 2015.
Justin Barcia remains unsigned
In this game of musical chairs, it was clear that someone would be left without a ride. For the time being, the biggest name still without a firm plan for 2018 is Justin Barcia, who is no longer with JGR after riding for them the last three years. In an Instagram post, Barcia said that he has "an option or two that I will be looking into for 2018," but his immediate plan is to contest the Monster Energy Cup in October aboard a privateer Honda. Barcia has a lot of experience on a Honda — he broke into the 250 Class with GEICO Honda years ago and later rode for the factory team when he moved up to the 450 Class.
What will factory Yamaha do?
Cooper Webb will be back with the factory Yamaha team in 2018 for his sophomore season in the 450 Class, but who will be alongside him in the pits? This spot was held by Chad Reed last year, but his deal was supercross-only.