Despite an injury that makes him questionable for the start of the 2023 Supercross season, Garrett Marchbanks and the Muc-Off / Club MX Yamaha team announced a two-year extension.
“ClubMX was founded on the principle of giving riders a chance in the sport,” said team owner Brandon Haas in a press release. “Garrett has a long history training at ClubMX from when he was a boy on minis. I know what he is capable of, and it is up to us to get the results out of him. There was never a question about extending his contract for two reasons: 1. I know he can win and 2. We don’t cast off our riders just because they didn’t have a great season.
“We are in this for the long haul and we are going to do it together. I knew extending his contract would be one less distraction. Think about it from our position as a privateer team, who’s better than Garrett Marchbanks? This will make more sense to everyone when we start racing again.”
In 2022, Marchbanks competed in the 250 West Series, finishing eighth in the standings. During the off-season, he injured his wrist in a practice session and will compete in the East in 2023 to give him additional time to recover before that division kicks off in Houston in early February. The 250 East runs their first race this weekend on January 8 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.
Marchbanks scored four top-fives in the 2022 250 West division, but has not stood on the podium since finishing second at Orlando in February, 2021.
His best season came in 2020 with a win at Daytona, but Marchbanks would have to wait two months to get his next podium finish in his next race in Salt Lake City as the season was momentarily paused for the COVID-19 pandemic. “I just need to put my head down and ride every race like it was my last one,” Marchbanks told NBC Sports soon after winning Daytona.
Marchbanks finished fourth in the standings that year, only three behind Jo Shimoda in third.
“I have a lot to prove still,” Marchbanks said while announcing the extension. “ClubMX has given me every opportunity on and off the track and it is time for me to show what I can do. Sure, there are ups and downs but that is the nature of this sport – it’s brutal.
“I want to be here and the team supports me through thick and thin so extending my contract made the most sense. As a racer, not having to worry about contact stuff eliminates that distraction. Now I can just focus on training and racing so I can get back on the box. I am super motivated this season; I know what I need to do and I’m going to get it done.”
In addition to running the 250 West division in 2022, Marchbanks made his 450SX debut at Daytona during an off weekend for the 250s. He made the Main finished 15th. Marchbanks also gained experience on the bigger bike during the outdoor season with 12 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross races. His best finish there was ninth at High Point in June.