By Luis Torres, Staff Writer/Photographer
SAN DIEGO — In a period of smoother and robotic riding that’s become the norm in SMX World Championship Series, Jason Anderson is the last of a breed who grew up in an era where the art of riding style dazzled fans around the world.
Part of it is how social media has taken over the mindset of a rider and how to approach a race and recognize what type of rider they’re known for. Gone are the days of entering the unknown and figuring out how a rider is the moment you compete against them on the track.
In a way, apps such as Instagram have taken a lot of art away from motorbike racing as the style Anderson grew up with was in his words, “better and cooler” because there was individually in such craft.
“Everyone has that posture that carries their momentum quite different. It’s a lot because of what you see on Instagram,” Anderson told Motorsports Tribune Friday. “Humans themselves are evolving and there’s a lot more information out there for a kid at a young age.”
Anderson takes pride in not coming from that mold as he grew up in the days of seeing a rider’s technique on VHS tapes every three months.
“A lot of us learned how to ride just whatever we thought work. We didn’t see how good the guy was riding until showing up to the race that’s three months away. I think my generation is one of the last ones that everyone has a unique style,” Anderson explained.
“The style has become very similar because everyone sees Instagram so much that they know what the guy is doing, and they’ve stuck with it.
“I want to stay true to who I am and how I ride. It’s got me to where I’m at right now and has gotten me to enjoy what I do doing every day.”
Just kicking off his 15th season a pro rider, who likes to consider himself very aggressive on the track, but appreciates a nice flow, the man known as “El Hombre” began the Monster Energy AMA Supercross campaign with a third-place finish at Anaheim I (A1 for short).
It was Anderson’s second straight opening round podium and a confidence booster for the 2018 Supercross champion as he’s aiming to carry that momentum into Saturday’s event at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego (8:30 p.m. ET on Peacock).
“Obviously being on the podium in the first round is always nice and I’m happy to end up on the box,” said Anderson, who finished fifth last season in both Supercross and Motocross standings.
A podium result is more rewarding for a rider than ever before as race starts have played an essential role in having a strong outing. A1 was no exception as reigning champion Jett Lawrence ended up getting stuck in dirt blocks entering the first corner. In large part of trying to best Anderson before being pinched off course, dropping Lawrence to 22nd.
The rider who bears the No. 1 plate on his Honda HRC ultimately finished 12th, where in this sport, it’s almost a death nail to a season as only three riders have won the championship after a disastrous opener with the last being done by Ryan Villopoto in 2013.
Meanwhile, Anderson ended up taking the lead moments after passing fellow Monster Energy Kawaski rider teammate Jorge Prado. Anderson would lose the lead to eventual A1 winner Chase Sexton with over 16 minutes remaining.
Anderson explained that every rider has become stout race starters, it’s become tough for riders to exit the first corner with valuable track position. Perhaps it’s tougher than it’s ever been in his entire career since turning pro in 2011.
“That’s 80 percent of the race at this point,” said Anderson. “If you can be in the battle within that front pack, it’s hard to really catch up to get up there. It’s important and luckily, I was able to survive the chaos last week that I had.”
Being among the more experience riders in the paddock, the New Mexico racer said adaptation was something he had to get used to as every venue provides different layouts and characteristics. More than any other form of motorsport, especially when weather becomes a wild card factor.
Fortunately, weather won’t play a role Saturday as the weather for San Diego will live up to the moniker as “The Finest City,” clear weather and no threat of rain compared to last year in events such as San Diego and Seattle.
Therefore, all eyes go to how a rider can find an advantage on track layouts and Anderson pointed out that comfortability can make a difference of a rider’s performance.
“To be honest, if you can be comfortable and latch onto some of those bigger lines by the end of the night. That’s what’s going to separate the leaders from the rest of the pack.”
Outside of racing, Anderson spends time with his wife Kenzie and their daughter Siggy, who’ll turn two in April. Money is one thing that provides stability for a motorsports competitor, but being a parent provides a different perspective, especially when their child grows older and recognizes why a competitor does what they do for a living. Something Anderson hopes she’ll get to remember those memories.
“I want to put my heart out there as long as I can, especially for my daughter,” said Anderson. “I think it’s cool for her and hopefully she’s able to be here and be at an age where she remembers going to the races with her dad and I’m looking forward to that.”
Live race coverage of the second round of the 2025 SMX World Championship Series and the indoor stadium season of Monster Energy AMA Supercross commence Saturday 8:30 p.m. ET on Peacock.
