Image: Octopi Media.

Defending 250SX East champion Chase Sexton’s switch to the 450 Class in Lucas Oil Pro Motocross will serve as an opportunity to learn his craft heading into 2021.

Sexton signed a deal with Honda at the end of last year that would see him remain with Geico Honda in Monster Energy Supercross, before stepping up outdoors.

It’s not yet clear whether or not a bold plan to restart Supercross next month will eventuate, which would see the final seven rounds completed before the outdoors begin, but that is the ideal circumstance for Sexton. He is currently atop the eastern regional standings.

“If this actually goes ahead in May, I’ll be super-happy about it,” Sexton told The PulpMX Show. “It’s going to be interesting, something different. I’m assuming we’re racing first since we’ve had the least amount of races, but I’m not sure how it’s going to happen.”

Despite being quietly confident of his chances to perform once the gates drop on the 2020 motocross season, the 20-year-old is aware of the challenge ahead riding alongside Ken Roczen in the factory organization and contesting the premier class.

“For this outdoor season I’m going to take it as a learning experience,” he added. “I mean, if I’m in a good spot I’m gonna go for it, but I’m not going to go out there with super-high expectations. I think by the end of the season I’ll be where I want to be.

“I just want to build and learn, because the whole point of this is getting me ready for Supercross, which is 17 rounds and something that I’ve never done before. I think it’s a good building-block for Supercross [in 2021].”

Sexton’s contract with Team Honda HRC extends through the 2023 season in a multi-year arrangement, which will see him aboard the CRF450R in place of Supercross-only signing Justin Brayton. It’s unclear what Brayton’s future holds.