Tom Vialle Would Be Forced to 450 Class If He Wins 250SX Title

Indianapolis Supercross may feel like a distant memory, one of those long forgotten races in a sea of them. But the last round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship could be a career-defining moment for one rider.

In just his third-year racing in the U.S., Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle has quickly established himself as a top contender. Since his debut in Houston on February 4, 2023, his rapid rise speaks for itself:

2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship 250SX East Champion

2024 AMA Pro Motocross Championship 250 runner-up

2024 SuperMotocross World Championship 250SMX runner-up

2 career AMA Pro Motocross Championship 250 wins

2 career Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX wins

With a second place finish in Indianapolis, Vialle vaulted to the top of the 250SX East Division point standings, where he holds a slim one point lead on Max Anstie. While his path to a second title remains uncertain—six rounds remain in the East Division including this Saturday in Birmingham—if Vialle were to clinch, it would expedite his move to the 450 Class.

Pointing Out Rules

The eligibility rules for the 250 class have evolved over the years, but for Vialle, only one rule matters: a rider who wins a second championship in their third year of 250 competition is ineligible to remain in the class. Simply put—if Vialle wins another title, he must move up to the 450 Class in Monster Energy AMA Supercross as he is currently in his third year and if he were to win, it would be his second title in the class.

Below are the official rules from the AMA rulebook.

AMA 250 Regional Champions may defend their championship’s the following season, with the following clarifications:

i. Champions may ride either region the following year but must only compete with the no. 1 plate when defending in the region in which they won the Championship.

ii. A rider that wins a 250 Championship will be eligible to participate in the 250 class for a maximum of four years total.

a) If a rider wins the 250 Championship in their fourth of more season, that rider will be eligible to compete in the 250 class the following season only.

b) A rider must earn at least five points for it to count as a season.

A rider that wins a second 250 Championship will be eligible to participate in the 250 class for a maximum of three years total regardless of what year they won their second title. (i.e., if a rider wins their second Championship in their third year of 250 competition, they will be ineligible for the 250 class.)

Riders who have been advanced to the 450 class through points or championships won will not be eligible to return to the 250 class.

Options

While Vialle would age out of the 250 Class in Supercross, AMA Pro Motocross has no such rule—riders can stay in the 250 Class indefinitely. If he wins, could he follow a path similar to Justin Cooper in 2023?

After pointing out in 2022, Cooper remained with Monster Energy/Yamaha Star Racing, racing select 450SX rounds in Supercross before returning to the 250 Class in Pro Motocross. He then made the full-time move to the 450 Class in 2024. It has, so far, worked out for Cooper as he is coming off a second place in Indianapolis and is fourth in points in just his second year. Or would Red Bull KTM move him up immediately? And what would this mean for Aaron Plessinger if Chase Sexton stays?

All of these questions are still unknown, but it’s something worth watching over the next six rounds.

Images: @octopi.media