Brea, CA - (July 7, 2025) - High heat and humidity added to the challenge of the legendary RedBud MX motocross track at the midpoint of the 11-Round AMA Pro Motocross season. The holiday-weekend event in Buchanan, Michigan saw every top, full-time 450MX-class racer healthy and on the starting line. Additionally, several MXGP competitors, including a 9-time champion, were in the States for their shot at a top result against what was one of the most competitive starting gates in years.
Race Highlights:
- Twisted Tea Suzuki Presented by Progressive Insurance
- 450 Class
- Benoit Paturel eared hard-fought points and moved his RM-Z450 up in the championship standings.
- Colt Nichols fought through an existing injury and showed impressive speed on the rutted and rough course.
Benoit Paturel (102) nearly matched his previous top-ten result against the deepest talent field of the season at the RedBud National.
Benoit Paturel (102), in his first year racing the US motocross championship, adapted quickly to the RedBud track and delivered his season-best opening qualifying session result. When the gate dropped for moto one, Paturel launched his Twisted Tea Suzuki into a top-15 start and battled forward despite the day’s high temperatures and humidity. In the second moto, Paturel crossed the holeshot stripe inside the top-fifteen again. After some shuffling in the opening laps, Paturel mounted a charge that saw him move forward as he battled with the front runners. When the dust settled, Paturel had come within one position of a top-ten overall result.
“Today was an average day for me,” said Paturel. “The track was really nice, but it was tough. We need to keep working hard and keep improving to get to that next level. Eleventh overall is not bad, but we want more.”
Colt Nichols (45) gutted out an impressive mid-moto charge in the second moto when the track was at its roughest.
Colt Nichols (45) put down impressive lap times in qualifying despite entering the weekend with an injury. In the opening moto, a crash on the fifth lap dropped Nichols out of a points-paying position; he gained back nine spots before the checkers flew. In the second moto, Nichols ran fast and in the points for much of the race, but was not able to deliver on his speed. Fortunately, Nichols has a large enough points cushion to maintain his position in the point standings.
“It’s been a tough summer, with several crashes and not being able to finish motos,” reported Nichols. “I’m unfortunately struggling with an injury that I picked up at Round 1 and it’s hard for me to hang on out there.”
“It was just an okay day today,” said Dave Dye, Lead Engine Technician for the Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance team. “Benoit got 11th overall. He rode really strongly in the second moto. He has a lot of heart, and it was good to see him finish so close to the top 10. I know in the coming races he can be a top-10 rider, so we’ll test during the week, get him a little bit better, and come out swinging at Millville. Colt Nichols is dealing with an injury. We need to get that looked at and go from there.”
The Spring Creek National takes place next Saturday, July 12th in Millville, Minnesota. The Suzuki riders and team members are ready to deliver more strong rides and continue their ascent in the point standings.
Please visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/Motocross and HEPMotorsports.com for more team news.
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About Suzuki
Suzuki Motor USA, LLC (SMO) distributes Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Accessories, and ECSTAR Oils & Chemicals via an extensive dealer network throughout 49 states. Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), based in Hamamatsu, Japan, is a diversified worldwide manufacturer of Motorcycles, ATVs, Scooters, Automobiles, Outboard Motors, and related products. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has business relations with 201 countries/regions. For more information, visit www.suzuki.com.
