Image: Octopi Media.

Smartop Bullfrog Spas MotoConcepts Honda will enter 250SX in 2022 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, signing Vince Friese and Mitchell Oldenburg alongside previously-announced 450SX rider Justin Brayton.

Friese and Oldenburg will ride opposite regions aboard the new CRF250R in addition to part-time 450SX duties on the opposite coast as part of a new structure.

“Our model with Vince and Mitchell riding the 250 class on one coast and then the 450 class on the opposite, plus Justin Brayton full-time in the 450 Class, is unique,” stated team manager Tony Alessi. “The 2022 CRF250R is a new model for this coming season, and we are both excited and committed to developing this bike into a race winner!”

Team owner Mike Genova added: “We spent a great deal of time strategizing MCR’s 2022 program during the off-season and are excited about this unique approach. We saw the need to maximize our sponsors’ investment and got creative.

“We feel the split-class effort will offer something different for the industry that will be fun and exciting and bring a lot of attention to the team. We carefully selected the riders to align with the program we created and are confident they’ll be competitive in their class.”

Friese, who was third in the 2014 250SX East point-standings has been in the premier class for the past six seasons, finished 18th in the 450SX championship this year with a best result of 11th at Arlington 1.