Gates dropped for round one of the 2026 World Supercross Championship (WSX) at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium on Saturday, with a range of storylines unfolding across both SX1 and SX2. In this edition of Q&A, here’s what we learned from the season-opener.

Image: Supplied.

Q: We hadn’t seen Jason Anderson for some time – how did his SX1 title defense begin in Canada?

A: We really didn’t know what to expect from the 2025 SX1 champion, who had been absent from Supercross racing altogether since mid-February. Someone as well-credentialed as Anderson was never going to be counted out entirely, and there was a genuine possibility he could pick up where he left off – at the front of the WSX field. It wasn’t to be, however, with the 33-year-old qualifying sixth before recording 13-9 finishes across the two contested sprint races. It’s a rough way to begin a title defence, although with the final encounter called off due to weather, Anderson leaves Canada 17 points behind round-one winner Cooper Webb.

Q: Does Dean Wilson’s podium result create a future problem for Quad Lock Honda?

A: A little, perhaps, but not necessarily in a bad way. Last year’s SX1 runner-up Joey Savatgy was initially slated to contest the opener for Quad Lock Honda, although his ongoing recovery from a wrist injury ruled him out of round one. That opened the door for Wilson, who proved highly competitive across the weekend – highlighted by P1 in Superpole and a pair of third-place finishes in the sprints. As a result, he’s second in the championship, just three points from the lead. So, what does the Quad Lock team do from here? Savatgy now appears out of the title hunt, while Wilson sits in a solid position despite originally being a fill-in for his teammate. The Yarrive Konsky-led program also fields a team in the upcoming Boost Mobile AUSX Championship, where Savatgy won the SX1 title in 2024, and Wilson claimed the crown in 2023 and 2025. That could create an opportunity for some shuffling if required.

Image: Supplied.

Q: Why was there controversy surrounding the Stark Vargs at the season-opener?

A: This was one of the main talking points in Canada, underscored by Stark’s rise towards the front of the leaderboard in both SX1 and SX2. Elevation and reduced oxygen levels affected the combustion-powered machines, while the electric drivetrain of the Stark Varg experienced no such loss in performance, creating a power advantage that FIM officials had not accounted for from a parity perspective. The situation has created a stir among teams and riders, with Konsky Motorsport Group (link) particularly vocal about the oversight in the aftermath. While the disparity was evident, the performances of Vince Friese, Jorge Zaragoza, Michael Hicks, and Brian Hsu – as well as the team itself – deserve recognition, as their respective riding and results were solid.

Q: Max Anstie made his Rick Ware Racing debut and, additionally, his first appearance since exiting Star Racing. Has his form changed with the switch?

A: Anstie’s move from Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing to ClubMX in the American championship is significant, particularly given his status as a title contender in Monster Energy Supercross. In the World Supercross Championship, the Englishman began his title defence with Rick Ware Racing after also departing Team GSM Yamaha, where he received Star Racing support last season. Little changed in Canada, with the 33-year-old sweeping all races after also claiming P1 in Superpole. It’s an ominous sign for the competition, particularly given Anstie’s proven record in the WSX format, where he has already secured two SX2 championships.

Image: Supplied.

Q: Cooper Webb and Justin Hill – could these two be the early favorites for the SX1 title?

A: Webb is something of an easy pick, given his status as a three-time Monster Energy Supercross 450SX champion. That said, he’s expected to undergo a significant change between the Canadian and British rounds, switching brands from Yamaha to Husqvarna. Combine that with Hill’s familiarity aboard the KTM 450 SX-F platform and his recent uptick in form, and the former 250SX West champion could emerge as a legitimate SX1 title contender. The potential has always been there for Hill – it’s simply been a matter of putting all the pieces together when it counts. Meanwhile, the expected change in machinery could create some instability for Webb, potentially giving his Rick Ware Racing teammate the opening he needs to challenge for this year’s premier-class crown.

Q: It was a World Supercross debut for Cameron McAdoo in Canada. Given his credentials, could he challenge Anstie in 2026?

A: Given McAdoo’s credentials, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume so. The interesting factor here is that McAdoo is expected to hand back the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki KX250 he raced under a unique loan arrangement with Konsky Motorsport Group in Canada, switching to a Quad Lock Honda CRF250R for the remaining rounds. How quickly he adapts to the Honda machinery will be key, as he’ll likely need to be at his very best to directly challenge the reigning champion. Interestingly, McAdoo defeated Anstie in four of the eight 250SX West races they contested together in 2026, further underlining the Iowa native’s ability.