Underdogs from RedBud National

The RedBud MX National was a fireworks spectacle at the front of the field during the Fourth of July weekend. Yet, the spotlight shouldn't only be on the frontrunners. Several standout riders, including notable international talents, also deserve recognition.

450MX

Garrett Marchbanks #26

Manchild! The Muc-Off/ClubMx/FXR Yamaha rider is back to his 2023 form, finishing a solid 7th OA with 6-7 moto scores. Missing the first four rounds due to a thumb injury, Garrett was the best “non-factory”/ privateer from RedBud in the 450 class. Last year, his best finish was 5th at Southwick, and he is looking to grab another top 5 with five rounds left this summer. Marchbanks is gaining points quickly for the SuperMotocross World Championship in September. He is currently sitting 28th, but with those moto finishes and overall continuing, he is projected by We Went Fast to be inside the top 20 by the final round at Ironman.

Kyle Webster #762

What a remarkable story from the Australian, Kyle Webster. The Mobile X/FirePower Honda rider, currently leading the Australian Motocross Championship, came to the States to race AMA Pro Motocross, starting at Southwick and finishing an impressive 10th overall. Known for his excellent sand skills, he showed that he could also put in great riders at a more “traditional” track at Redbud. Finishing 10th in the first moto from a mid-pack start set him up for a great moto 2. He nearly pulled the holeshot, and exiting turn two, he was in the lead, passing Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson! He was out front for about half of the lap and eventually dropped back to finish 9th. Still, to come to the United States to race Pro Motocross for the first time and run up front, you must tip your hat to that.

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Harri Kullas #79

Another great story that started last year and has progressed into this year, Estonia’s Ponsse/Annkriss KTM rider and MXGP veteran Harri Kullas, has been putting in great rides after great rides here in the States, finishing 9th overall at RedBud. 9-12 moto scores on the day for Harri, and looks to better that in the coming rounds. Last year, at Unadilla, he finished an impressive 6th. Not knowing if he could continue racing after this year’s High Point a few rounds ago because of money, he has found some support and put in two back-to-back top 10s, leaving Redbud ready to fight for the next two rounds.

Grant Harlan #23

Hardog! Texas native Gizmo Mods/Rock River Yamaha’s Grant Harlan is starting to regain his form from last year. Finishing 11th overall with solid 11-11 moto scores, looking to the near future, Harlan needs to keep scoring points. Southwick was a disappointment, finishing outside the top 20, but rebounding in a big way by tying his best finish so far this year. He is another rider with his eyes set on the SuperMotocross World Championship in September as “the only way to make any money” for these guys and is projected to be in again here in 2024.

Dylan Ferrandis #14

During the first moto, Phoenix Racing Honda, Ferrandis tangled with Muc-Off/ClubMx/FXR rider Phil Nicoletti early, causing them both to go down and start from the back of the pack, literally last. Dylan charged through the field to take 19th and came out, firing the second moto to a 5th, finishing 12th overall on the day. Hovering that top 5 overall when on two wheels, he is looking to better that for his first podium of the summer, coming off six podiums from 2023.

Marshall Weltin #75

Weltin is back inside the top 15 for the Gizmo Mods/Rock River Yamaha team, finishing 17-14 moto scores to 14th overall. Marshall was granted the RC Hard Charger award for his moto 1, starting 39th to finish in that 17th-place position. He has had solid performances this year and is looking to top his best finish of the summer from Fox Raceway, where he was 12th overall. He is projected by We Went Fast to be 21st OA in points, leaving Ironman for the SuperMotocross World Championship in September. If he doesn’t have a non-paying position like Southwick (39th), he will be close to that top 20 and not in the LCQ.

Anthony Rodriguez #84

Venezuela’s Anthony Rodriguez on the Rides Unlimited KTM put in his best overall finish of the summer so far with a 17th and moto scores 14-20 on the day at RedBud. He stated earlier in the Pro Motocross season, leaving Hangtown (18th overall), “I’ve been kind of quiet lately. I’m really just working on trying to be the best that I can be. A lot goes on behind the scenes, but everything is finally starting to pay off! Being a better rider each weekend is the goal.” From that statement, it seems like a ton has been happening that most don’t get to see behind the scenes, and after a couple of rounds, back inside the top 20. He is looking forward to going back-to-back in point-paying positions this weekend at Spring Creek.

Alvin Ostlund #290

Another MXGP veteran, Sweeden’s Ostlund, on the JWR Honda, grabs another top 20 in his second appearance in AMA Pro Motocross here in the States. Finishing 16th at Southwick and backing that up on a more traditional style track at RedBud, we would say that’s a win for the end of his United States stay this year.

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Cullin Park #58

The second rider on the Phoenix Racing Honda, Cullin Park, put in a great ride in moto 1 to finish 15th. Then, in moto 2, a bike malfunction occurred, leaving him managing the machine to 26th for a top-20 result of 19th overall. That’s five out of six rounds Cullin has been in the points-paying position this summer. He is on the outside of the top 20 looking in for the SuperMotocross World Championship and potentially could challenge that final spot with some stellar finishes with five rounds remaining.

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Romain Pape #68

Pape, a Frenchman on that TPJ/Fly Racing team and GasGas machine, finished 24-16 for 20th overall on the day at Redbud. This is now five out of six rounds that Romain has been inside the top 20 this summer and best finished 15th from the high elevation of Thunder Valley a couple of rounds ago. He looks to keep improving each round heading into Spring Creek this weekend.

250MX

Mark Fineis #705

The Muc-Off/ClubMx/FXR Yamaha rookie season rider, Fineis, has been a standout rider in this 250 class this season. Coming out strong at the opening round at Fox Raceway and finishing 12th has been a learning year for Mark, still finishing inside the top 20 in each round. He showed what he could do by leading some laps during moto 2, battling with the front runners, and re-passing those guys at times at High Point before a tip-over and bike malfunction took him out of the race for that moto. As some team managers say, “We can work with speed.” At RedBud, he put in two solid motos for 11-12 and 10th overall on the day. That position granted him the highest placing position in 250MX on a “non-factory”/ privateer effort in Michigan.

Jett Reynolds #99

Following a string of injuries, Jett Reynolds, a teammate of Fineis on that Muc-Off/ClubMx/FXR Yamaha team, is starting to find his groove this outdoor season. It’s about building, staying healthy, and improving each round for Reynolds first season with the team and bike. This past weekend at RedBud on Saturday was his best overall finish with 12th and moto scores of 15-11. As the season progresses, dont be surprised to see the #99 machine closer to the top 10.

Dilan Schwartz #40

RmArmy’s Schwartz, on the Toyota of Redlands BarX Suzuki, has been underrated this outdoor season while being a top 15 overall guy. In four out of six rounds, Dilan has finished 14th overall, including this past weekend at RedBud with 14-16 moto scores. He has just been right there, putting in solid motos and going after the factory-supported riders.

Looking forward to the SuperMotocross World Championship, We Went Fast projects, Dilan and Fineis will have a heated battle for that final 20th spot to transfer straight into the three races with their current pace at the end of Pro Motocross. Who will have to transfer from the LCQs? That will be something to keep in mind during these remaining rounds.

Talon Hawkins #35

Coming off his best finish this Pro Motocross season two weekends ago in the sand of Southwick, the AEO Powersports KTM Racing rider of Hawkins grabs his second top 20 overall. With moto scores of 17-17 on the day, the California native looks to continue that momentum into Spring Creek this weekend. As stated in the Underdogs article last week, Hawkins has fought to keep progressing each round and is doing just that and keeping the ball rolling.

Tom Guyon #444

Another Frenchman coming to the States for the first time, Wildcat Racing Team GasGas rider Tom Guyon, coming off that top qualifying spot from Southwick, had only one more race this year in Pro Motocross at Redbud to compete in. Finishing 22-15 for 19th overall on the day, tying his Southwick overall, this is the end from Guyon this season. He stated, “This was actually incredible (for the opportunity to race the two races here in America).”

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Lux Turner #473

Another AEO Powersports KTM Racing rider and first-year pro, rookie Lux Turner, has improved with each round, granting his first top 20 result this past weekend at RedBud. In the first moto, he crossed the holeshot line in 32nd position to a come-from-behind ride. He placed 18-19 moto scores to finish 20th overall on the day. He looks to keep this improvement rolling into Spring Creek this weekend.

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Evan Ferry #751

Just outside the top 20 at RedBud, finishing 22nd overall, Evan Ferry is a rider to watch out for on that Wildcat Racing Team. He has improved these last few weekends and is getting closer to the top 20. Ferry has had a steep climb back from parting ways with Triumph Factory Racing a few months ago. On a completely new machine and team, Evan still feels like he has much more in the tank and more to improve on in the remaining rounds of this Pro Motocross Championship from where he started in the first round.