Image: Foremost Media.

Fresh off of his first premier class title in 450SX, Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton stated it was ‘right back to work’ in preparation for the opening round of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship set to commence this Saturday at Fox Raceway.

Sexton finished last year’s 450MX series in the runner-up position after battling until the final moto with eventual championship winner Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing).

“I flew home from Salt Lake on Sunday, and it was back to outdoors testing on Tuesday,” said Sexton. “I think it’s honestly made me more motivated to come out here and win. I don’t know, I don’t feel like I have that lack of motivation right now.

“The first week back I tested three days and I put over seven hours on my bike, so it was right back to work and looking forward to this championship.”

Sexton is the favorite to win this year’s outdoor title after it was confirmed Tomac would miss the entire championship due to the torn Achilles at the penultimate round of the supercross championship.

However, with the addition of teammate Jett Lawrence to the 450 class, as well as Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM) and 2021 champion Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) returning from injury, the 2023 title could still be wide-open this summer.

“I don’t expect it to be any easier, my goal is to improve from last season. Obviously, it was going right down to the wire here in Pala, so if I can improve on that, we’ll be good.

“But, everyone up here is fast and it’s not going to be easy, so having Dylan back this year is going to be fun, and even Coop Webb. It’s going to be a good outdoor season.”