Troy Dog
When Christian Craig signed a two-year deal to step up to the 450 class full-time for the 2023-2024 SuperMotocross the sky was the limit.
He was just coming off of the best years of his career on the Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha Team, including a 250SX West Region title in 2022 as well as his best 450 Pro Motocross Championship result with a fifth in points that same year.
Then Craig made the switch to the Austrian brand and it’s clear that he had some adjustments to make in order to get comfortable on the bike. After all, this was his first time not riding a Japanese bike in his career and riders do say that it takes time to get used to everything. Craig’s whoop speed was clearly not where it needed to be either and that was no secret.
However, as things were coming together and the results started coming, Craig only made it almost 12 rounds of the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross Championship before hurting himself in Glendale. He dislocated his hip, which was the biggest concern at the time, and also hurt his elbow…which ended up being an issue for more than a year.
“I’ve had way worse injuries than this,” Craig said on the Vurbmoto Podcast Network before this past summer’s Pro Motocross Championship.
Craig came back to fill-in for Team USA during last year’s Motocross of Nations in France and eventually tried to come back and race the Monster Energy Supercross Championship this season before bowing out by round six.
When all was said and done, Craig had four surgeries on the elbow and it played a huge part of most of his deal with the Rockstar Husqvarna team. This was a very rough stretch for Craig and he had a little redemption during Pro Motocross, racing his way into arm strength and an eighth in the standings.
However, now Craig is setting his sights on 2025 and something new. His wife Paige Craig went to Instagram on Monday and confirmed that Las Vegas Motor Speedway was Christian’s final race with the Rockstar Husky crew.
Now, am I jealous that I’ve never been offered any candy salad from the Craig fam? Absolutely.
But, this now opens up the playing field for Craig and his future. The rumors that I’ve heard from quite a few people is that he’s going back to Star Racing on a two-year deal. Craig will be racing, in charge of bike development, and will also serve as a mentor for Haiden Deegan.
Of course none of this has been confirmed and my sources could be completely off base, but we will have to wait and see. Christian hasn’t put out a ‘thank you’ post yet. Maybe we will hear about the new deal on October 1st?
We will keep you posted if we hear or see anything related to this deal. Either way, it’s been a long road these past few years for Christian and it’s cool to see that he’s setup for at least the next two seasons no matter where he lands.
Dear Paige,
Send candy salad to the Vurbmoto crew. CC Troy Dog and VurbWes.
Sincerely,
T-Dog
Main Image: Octopi Media
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