Meet the World Supercross ‘Rookies’

‘Rookie’ is hardly the term but the appeal of World Supercross and five rounds in five different continents has attracted fresh supercross talent to GPs for the first time. While the likes of Ken Roczen, Eli Tomac, Shane McElrath and Max Anstie are world supercross veterans, they have some renowned peers who will be taking their maiden SX1 and SX2 gatedrops.  

Perhaps the most extreme example of a grizzled supercross ‘rookie’ is Christian Craig. The 34-year-old Californian will steer a CRF450R for the Quad Lock Honda crew as he bids to add the SX1 class crown to his 2022 250SX West title.

Craig, who recently featured in the spotlight on this site, has raced for Honda, Yamaha and Husqvarna in a long, notable 17-year career punctuated by highs, injury lows and is distinctive for his special supercross aptitude, especially when it comes to speed through the notorious whoops sections. “It has been a while, but I still have the fire,” he says. 

It has been a while, but I still have the fire – Christian Craig

Compared to some of his countrymen, who will be entering the paddock as wildcards for rounds one, two and three in Buenos Aires, Canada and Australia, Craig has his eyes set on P1 and the FIM gold medal rather than brief and temporary glory. 

“I think that if it’s down to the title and time to be smart, then obviously it is best to ignore the wildcards,” he offers. “Man, these first two and three rounds? I am embracing that challenge. Cooper Webb, Tomac and some other guys are going to be there! I’m up for it.” 

It will be 14 years since Craig took his very first professional supercross start as an authentic rookie. He remembers the weekend at Anaheim 1 in California and the evening vividly. “It was a long time ago now! Anaheim 1. I was in the 250 class and full of nerves! I managed to get through the day but had to go through the LCQ. I actually holeshotted my first race, led a couple of corners and was then taken out by another rider! It was stressful but a lot of fun.”

“Going into World Supercross as a rookie is kinda weird but it is a new series and a lot of good riders,” he says. “I want to be one of the top guys. I’ve been putting in a lot of work with the team, I have good people around me and the bike is ready. I expect to be out front and fighting for podiums. The final prep is pretty much done and now I’m excited to get out and race around the world.”

Competition is heating up

Craig will face opposition from another SX1 newcomer. Jason Anderson aced the AMA 450SX premier class back in 2018 and has been a factory KTM, Husqvarna and Kawasaki rider in the last ten years. He tackles World Supercross with the Pipes Motorsports Group and with Suzuki machinery; the brand he represented at the start of his career.

The 32-year-old has 14 AMA SX wins to his name and although 2025 has been dogged by injury and fitness setbacks he is arguably one of the joint favourites for the championship, based on pedigree. 

American peers Devin Simonson and Austin Politelli are other athletes who will be loading the suitcases and changing currency in what will be a deviation from their normal supercross routine on a national stage. 

The wildcards

We also must count the top-billed wildcards as World Supercross ‘rookies’. Webb (Australia), Justin Cooper (Buenos Aires and Canada) and Haiden Deegan (Buenos Aires and Australia) will bring A-list glitz and a super Yamaha punch to the 2025 schedule and, in Webb and Cooper, riders that finished 1st and 3rd in this year’s 450SX series.

The vast popularity and notoriety of Deegan – at 19 the youngest participant in World Supercross – will follow the former 250SX champion to Argentina. Deegan will gather sizeable interest, not just for his talent and his fiery personality but for the fact the Buenos Aires City GP will be his very first outing on a YZ450F ahead of a juicy 2026 campaign against the ‘big boys’.

A new team

What about a quadruple combo of riders, team, manufacturer and technology as debutants?! Then look no further than the Stark Future Racing Team of Michael Hicks, Lance Kobusch and Jorge Zaragoza. The trio will be developing the Barcelona-built Stark VARG 1.2 electric bike.

The VARG has already been billed as a ground-breaker in terms of power-to-weight, and must be taken seriously thanks to some premium components that easily pitch the motorcycle in the same performance ballpark as its Japanese and European rivals.

Nevertheless, the Stark crew will have to comply to strict FIM technical regs for relative competitive parity and safety. Don’t expect fireworks from the first GP but the evolution of the squad will be one of the most fascinating – and unique – aspects of World Supercross this year.