Motocross – A Guide to Wagering on High-Speed Dirt Racing

Motocross is something that pretty much everyone into sports knows about, but few watch. Off-road motorcycle racing started in the UK at the start of the 20th century. These contests featuring motorcycles known as scramblers officially began in 1924, first organized in Camberley, a city in England’s South East County of Surrey. Over time, the sport spread globally, with the American Motorcyclist Association beginning to sanction off-road motorcycle racing in 1959.

Today, motocross is doing pretty well, gaining a strong fan base in the USA, Europe, and Australia, particularly among teens and younger adults, who have transformed a niche pastime into a mainstream sport. Its blend of precision and power mesmerizes viewers all over the globe, and its top series now have sponsorship agreements with famous brands like Monster Energy.

As the popularity of motocross is growing, so is the number of people who are wagering on major events from the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Supercross series, the FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP), SuperMotocross World Championship, etc. For many, traditional racing betting is focused on Formula 1 or MotoGP, and such individuals are unaware that motocross offers a fresh, action-packed alternative. Hence, below, we try to give you a quick overview of its possibilities, and we attempt to help you understand why wagering on it can be thrilling.

Motocross Racing Explained

Motocross is a high-octane off-road motorcycle sport. It gets characterized by rugged terrain that riders must navigate at high speeds. Over the years, distinct variations have popped up that cater to different styles and audiences. Supercross is perhaps the most well-known variation, happening on large outdoor tracks, artificially constructed tight courses with high jumps, particularly popular in the United States, accompanied by elaborate light shows.  

Arenacross is similar to Supercross but occurs in smaller indoor arenas with even tighter, requiring more technical skill, as the races are shorter and intenser. The venues are also more intimate, with the action happening closer to the fans. Then we have traditional motocross, referred to simply as MX, with races held on large outdoor tracks often seen as the purest form of the sport, as it requires great endurance and consistency.

We already somewhat mentioned the main motocross competitions. These are the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, the United States premier series, divided into two main classes: the 450cc one and the 250cc class. Then we have the FIM Motocross World Championship, commonly referred to as MXGP, which is the global counterpart to the AMA Supercross Championship, divided into the same two classes.

The main sport’s trio gets completed by the Motocross of Nations, often called the Olympics of Motocross, an annual international event with three different classes: MXGP, MX2, and Open.

Factors Influencing Betting Outcomes

The main and most obvious one is the type of track one is racing on. Just like in tennis, specific riders specialize in distinct terrains. Those who excel in Supercross may struggle with the traditional version and vice versa. Thus, you should consider a rider’s past performances on similar tracks before wagering on them. Without question, that is a strong indicator for future success in similar conditions, which include weather-related ones, especially for traditional motocross where races are held outdoors. We say this as rain can turn a hard-packed track into a muddy quagmire, and dry conditions can lead to dusty, slippery surfaces.

Even though many bettors may not look into injuries and fitness as they would in something like basketball or football, motocross is still a physically demanding sport, and injuries are common. A rider’s fitness, too, can have a significant impact on their performance. So, it is wise for gamblers to stay informed about any recent injuries and have info on which riders know how to fine-tune their bikes on the go if needed, have high technical expertise, or have persons with such knowledge on their team.

Other things a bettor should factor in are race format and length, championship standings, and motivation. There is also the consideration of whether you are betting on a factory-backed team or private riders. The first have access to better equipment and support staff, boasting a clear competitive advantage. We should also not fail to mention that in motocross, race start is crucial, as overtaking is difficult, especially on tight tracks. Riders who consistently secure the hole shot (leading into the first turn) have a better chance of controlling the race and avoiding crashes in the pack. So, looking into shoe-hole stats before betting is smart.

Popular Motocross Betting Markets

In terms of markets, you get many of the same things as you do at prime crypto sportsbooks for other racing sports. That means that the wagering options for motocross consist primarily of markets like race winner, the simplest bet possible. Podium finish, wagering of whether a rider will finish in the top three, championship winner, an outright, head-to-head markets, or betting on which of two specific riders will finish ahead in a race. Then we have the fastest lap, hole shot betting, wagering on who will take the lead at the first turn. Top five or top ten finishes, prop wagers, betting on specific things happening in a race, such as the number of crashes, lead changes, or total jumps performed.

The Challenges of Motocross Betting & the Future

Many are wary of betting on motocross because of the frequent crashes in races, as even the most experienced riders can get tangled up with others or suffer falls. They can also fall prey to unforeseeable mechanical failures due to bikes enduring extreme stress, increasing the likelihood of engine failures, chain issues, suspension malfunctions, etc. The tracks can change dramatically throughout a race due to weather and rider wear, creating unstable conditions. Consequently, all this adds a great deal of unpredictability to races.

On top of this, while mainstream motocross is expanding, it still falls behind, concerning market types, to other major motorsports like Formula 1, MotoGP, and NASCAR. Those get offered at more bookmakers and have more robust stats, and motocross usually lacks consistent live betting options outside its main championships.

We hope that more sportsbooks will soon recognize motocross as a viable betting option and feature greater regional motocross series inclusion. Fantasy sports operators, too, appear to be implementing motocross in a big way. As the years go by, we also see higher fan motocross engagement on social media, which is a major positive.

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