Suzuki clinches the Supercross World Championship and prepares its return to MXGP

Suzuki’s pullback from motorcycle racing is in practice limited to MotoGP alone. Following the withdrawal at the end of 2022, the brand with the big S has nevertheless continued to be present (and win) in the Endurance World Championship, and has also returned with its own factory team (Team Suzuki CN Challenge) for the last two editions of the Suzuka 8 Hours. The Hamamatsu company’s presence in sport extends to off-road as well, here too with world titles and prospects for a full factory return from 2027.

With the Pipes Motorsports Group team, last Saturday in Cape Town they clinched the second SX1 Supercross world title in the last three years. After the 2023 success with Ken Roczen—who this season only competed part-time in 3 of the 5 scheduled events—the repeat came courtesy of Jason Anderson. The 2018 AMA Supercross Champion with Husqvarna, he was signed very recently and delivered a memorable grand final in South Africa, getting the better of Joey Savatgy (Quad Lock Honda).

The WSX Supercross World Championship is certainly not AMA Supercross, but over the last three years Suzuki has also won something overseas with the same Ken Roczen, who is confirmed through 2026. “Kickstar Kenny” in 2025, before an injury that forced him to sit out the finale, won at Daytona, fighting for a top-three in the championship against factory powerhouses with more recent bikes than his aging yet still competitive Suzuki RM-Z 450.

For 2026 the H.E.P. Suzuki team has re-signed Ken Roczen, retained Colt Nichols, and signed Jason Anderson, while also receiving increased support from the factory. For now they’re biding their time, but are already involving technicians and engineers who have come directly from Japan to support the project. From the Land of the Rising Sun, rumors are gaining traction of a Suzuki return to the MXGP Motocross World Championship as early as 2027, coinciding with the launch of a brand-new RM-Z 450. We’ll hear more in the coming months.