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After delivering a breakout 450 campaign last year, Chase Sexton aims to build in season 2023 with the firm belief that he can win a title within the new SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX).

The Team Honda HRC rider notched his first 450SX victory at San Diego just under 12 months ago, but suffered an up-and-down Monster Energy Supercross season, unfortunately crashing while leading in the late stages of Minneapolis.

Sexton ultimately finished fifth in the standings with eight podiums to his credit, notably not contesting the Seattle night show after a dramatic qualifying crash during the event.

Finishing Supercross with strong form, Sexton elevated further in Pro Motocross to take the 450MX championship fight right down to the wire against Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing), losing out by just seven points. He was also part of Team USA’s Motocross of Nations (MXoN) winning squad at RedBud.

2023 will mark Sexton’s third 450SX campaign, his fourth in the premier class outdoors, and he is looking to continue his charge forwards.

“Coming into 2023, for me, I want to build on what I had last year,” said Sexton. “Supercross, I had some standout rides, like San Diego, obviously getting my first [450SX] win was very special to me.

“Had some good races, also had some not-so-good ones, crashing in Minneapolis with a lap to go was unfortunate and kind of took a toll on me, still ending up on the podium is really the goal for me.

“It’s time to make it happen, I have had enough experience now and definitely believe that I can be champion this year. Year ’23, number 23, it’s time to make it happen.”

The inaugural SuperMotocross World Championship commences Saturday at Anaheim, as gates drop for round one of the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross Championship. Sexton will be joined in the Team Honda HRC camp by new 450SX teammate Colt Nichols, who steps to the premier class on a Supercross-only contract.