Image: Octopi Media.

A mutual split between Max Anstie and Fire Power Honda will open the doors for him to complete a widely-expected switch to Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, potentially during the current Pro Motocross season. As a result, he won’t defend his SX2 World Championship or Australian titles.

With Anstie initially contracted to contest Monster Energy AMA Supercross in 250SX East, alongside the World Supercross Championship (WSX) and Australian Supercross Championship (AUSX) in the 250 class, ongoing delays to the WSX schedule – still yet to be confirmed – have effectively led to his early exit from Honda.

Anstie is all but confirmed to be returning to a US factory team at Yamaha for 2025 onboard the YZ250F, and there’s also the possibility that Anstie could represent Great Britain in Matterley Basin’s FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) event this October.

“I signed to compete in World Supercross this year, but we couldn’t get any answers about this year’s championship early enough, and that’s why I primarily asked for an early release,” commented Anstie. “Last year we didn’t get the expected number of rounds, and there was no clarity on this year’s schedule.

“However, I had an opportunity to race in America this year and potentially participate in the Nations and prepare early for next year. I didn’t want to jeopardize those opportunities due to the uncertainty surrounding World Supercross at the time – there are still no released dates. The Fire Power Honda team and Honda Australia were very understanding.”

Fire Power Honda team principal Martin Davalos stated: “We recognized Max’s potential immediately. Yarrive [Konsky] and I discussed it, and we were quick to offer him a ride in America and Australia. Together, we’ve achieved some truly special results. We fully understand and respect Max’s decision to move on, and we genuinely wish him the very best.”

Fire Power Honda team founder and owner of Honda’s factory program in Australia, Yarrive Konsky, moved to explain the decision to allow Anstie out of his contract in order to take the next step in his career. Konsky’s team has already drafted in Carson Mumford to ride the AUSX series this year, as well as to line up with Fire Power Honda in America next year.

“Max became an integral part of our team and you don’t accomplish what we did without forming a strong connection,” Konsky said. “He achieved a lot and helped our programs compete successfully against factory teams. He truly demonstrated that with the right team, anything is possible.

“We wish him all the best in his future endeavors. With the uncertainty surrounding World Supercross and the Fire Power Honda team not committing to AMA Motocross next year, it would have been unfair to hold him back. After all, a motocross rider’s career isn’t particularly long.”

Anstie finished third in 2023 and fourth in this year’s 250SX East standings, winning East Rutherford last season and then the Philadelphia main event in 2024. He clinched the WSX SX2 crown last year, and had earned back-to-back AUSX SX2 championships in 2022-2023.