Sexton to make 450 switch for outdoors in multi-year deal.
Team Honda HRC has signed Justin Brayton and Chase Sexton for the 2020 season in a unique deal that will see the latter remain with Geico Honda in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX series before stepping up to the premier class with the HRC squad for the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship.
Brayton has spent the last four years as a supercross-only rider, using the regular off-season to race the Australian Supercross Championship – a title he’s won three consecutive times and will attempt a fourth crown this year with Penrite Honda Racing.
The number 10 has been a member of the Smartop MotoConcepts Bullfrog Spas Honda over the last three seasons with the support of HRC, and will now return to the factory squad.
“I’m beyond excited to be riding for factory Honda in the 2020 supercross season,” said Brayton. “Riding with the team in 2012 was the achievement of a dream for me, and I had my best season so far that year. Now I feel like I’m living my dream all over again, just a little older and more experienced to be able to take full advantage of this opportunity.”
Sexton, the 2019 250SX East champion, has signed a multi-year agreement with Team Honda HRC that will see him through the 2023 season, although he will not defend his crown next year, and will instead race the 250SX West series with Geico Honda before his premier class graduation in the outdoors.
“I’m super excited to be joining Team Honda HRC,” Sexton commented. “Factory Honda is a team that I’ve wanted to ride for since I was a kid, so to have this opportunity is honestly a dream come true. I’m looking forward to starting this journey with them, and I think it will be a successful one.
“I think the CRF450R suits me because I’m a bigger guy and I ride it well. Still, 2020 is going to be a learning year for sure. I’m just getting my feet wet in the 450 class, and it will be good to have an outdoor series under my belt to get me ready for a full 17-round 2021 Supercross series.
“I’m also looking forward to being teammates with Ken. We’re pretty close friends and train together every day, so I think this will push us both and take us to the next level. You couldn’t ask for a better guy to have under the tent, with his speed and knowledge.”
It was confirmed in May that Ken Roczen will remain with Team Honda HRC through the 2022 season.
Source: MotoOnline.com.au