Slaw Dog
The series doesn’t start until Daytona… or something like that. We have reached the halfway point of the 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the 450SX and 250SX East Division title chases are shaping up to be barn burners. Cooper Webb vs Chase Sexton vs Ken Roczen? Yes, please. Vialle vs Anstie vs Hammaker vs Hampshire? Feed me more.
Title chases aside, I was thinking about four riders I think are poised to have a “breakout” or “really ridiculously good”, if you want to form it that way, second half of the season.
Here are those four riders.
Justin Cooper
I have been on this train all season. Go back and read some of the stuff I wrote on the OG Dog, Coop Dog. The only thing holding Cooper back in the first half was the whoops, and while he still needs improvement on that department, he’s shown progress.
In just his second year in 450SX, Cooper has five straight top five finishes and is coming off a career-high second at the last round in Indianapolis. To further strengthen my case, Cooper has just two finishes outside the top 10 all year. His stock is at an all-time high, and I’m buying.
Justin Barcia
It’s crazy that I’m writing this, but Justin Barcia has quietly had a very good season. Justin rarely does anything quiet, but here he is, just going about his business, putting in solid results. Would you believe me if I told you Barcia has just one finish outside the top 10 this year? Well, you should, because his lone blemish was a 12th at the Glendale Triple Crown.
At the last round in Indianapolis, Barcia grabbed the holeshot, ran up front and finished a season-high fourth. Per Steve Matthes, he of PulpMX Hockey fame, Barcia said he’s made some bike changes and what “we saw at Indy should be more the norm.” Well, sign me the f up. I’m in on Bam Bam to finish the year strong.
Tom Vialle
While we are on the topic of under-the-radar, TOM VIALLE IS LEADING THE EAST DIVISION POINTS. I had to double-check to make sure that was right. And guess what? It was. Vialle has quietly gone about his title defense with precision. After starting the season 5-4, he’s had back-to-back runner-up finishes and has vaulted to the top of the standings, holding a slim one-point lead over Max Anstie.
Last year, in his run to the title, Vialle began to hit his stride after Daytona. Expect more of the same in 2025. While I’m not ready to call him for the title, Vialle is going to be a force in this championship and will snag a few wins.
RJ Hampshire
Man, that Tuff Block excursion at the opener in Tampa is weighing heavily on RJ Hampshire right now. After that 18th, the defending 250SX West Division champ has gone 3-1-4 and is only 12 back of Vialle. RJ knows better than anyone that wins will be vital if he’s going to make up that gap, and with his wrist improving by the week, I think we see RJ go next-level (is that a word? Probably not) in the second half of the season.
Images: @octopi.media
