Pro Motocross | Rule Changes & Amendments For 2021

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With the start of the 2021 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship just weeks away, it’s time to take a look at the updated rule book for the summer race series. MX Sports Pro Racing made a handful of changes for the upcoming season, some as a way to adhere to guidelines set by series partners like the AMA and WADA-USADA, or to address particular events that occurred in 2020. For the most part, the 50-page document is the same as years past, but there are a few new details that stand out.

HELMET-MOUNTED RECORDING DEVICES BANNED
CHEST & BIKE MOUNTS ALLOWED
GUIDELINES ON CONTENT USAGE

The biggest change that fans will notice will be increased restrictions on the use of recording devices such as GoPro cameras. MX Sports Pro Racing has stated all helmet-mounted camera units will be prohibited, but that different methods, such as a chest strap or being attached to the motorcycle, are allowed. This goes along with the outright ban on helmet-mounted cameras and accessories in every form of AMA-sanctioned amateur motorcycle racing in the United States, a sweep and somewhat controversial change; similar rules have been in place in Australia and parts of Europe for a few years.

Per the recent competition bulletin, “Rule 3.20.c. of the 2021 Rules for Professional Motocross Competition has been amended to prohibit the use of helmet-mounted cameras or other recording devises, as follows:

c. Helmet-mounted cameras or other recording devices of any type are prohibited. Riders may request approval to use Onboard Cameras for mounting on the motorcycle or body of the rider, other than the helmet, subject to footage use terms and conditions.”

Riders that would like to record footage of their motos will need to apply for approval to the AMA prior to the event and must follow guidelines created by MX Sports Pro Racing and series television partner NBC, including duration limits and social media tagging. Appendix C of the AMA rule book reads as follows…

Camera Mounting: Helmet cameras are prohibited.  Cameras may only be mounted on the motorcycle or on the body of the rider, other than the helmet.  Cameras must be mounted in a way that does not compromise the function of the motorcycle. Rider assumes full responsibility for camera mounting/placement and the decision to utilize a camera.

On-Track/Race Footage Use: Use of on-track or race footage for public viewing or distribution is limited to the social media platforms of the rider and his registered Team only (i.e., Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok).

No Commercial Use: Footage may NOT be sold or used for commercial purposes of any kind without the express written approval of MX Sports Pro Racing.  Footage may not be used by a rider’s sponsor or for professional commercial use unless approved in writing by MX Sports Pro Racing.

Clip Length: Footage posted on the rider’s social media is limited to clips no longer than sixty (60) seconds in length each, not to exceed two (2) minutes in the aggregate, per event. 

Clip Publication: All published clips MUST be tagged with and include the following Series social media handles:  @ProMotocross, #ProMotocross, #ThisIsMoto

Footage Rights: All onboard footage is the exclusive property of MX Sports Pro Racing, and approval may be withdrawn at any time for any or no reason. 

Footage Access: Riders give MX Sports Pro Racing and its broadcast partners unlimited access to any and all such footage for any purpose upon request.

Footage Removal: Objectionable/unauthorized footage (in the sole discretion of MX Sports Pro Racing) must be immediately removed upon request by MX Sports Pro Racing.

Appropriate Use: Footage use is subject to the Rules for Professional Motocross Competition which prohibits athletes from engaging in any act or action deemed detrimental to the series and/or the sport of motorcycle racing.  Riders are required to adhere to social media publication standards. Post responsibly.

WHEELS ON THE GROUND FLAG
USE OF RED & WHITE FLASHING LIGHTS

MX Sports Pro Racing tested red and white flashing lights in place of waving silk flags to denote the Wheels on the Ground rule at a handful of Pro Motocross rounds in 2020. The lights indicate a “potentially hazardous situation on or near the racetrack in an area that is not clearly visible to on-coming riders,” are placed in locations such as the approach to jumps, and will be used more commonly in 2021.

The lights will have the same importance and rules as the red and white flag, taking “precedence over all other flags” and infraction in a section where the lights are on, such as jumping or passing another rider, will result in a position or championship point penalty.

MODIFICATION OF PRACTICE GROUPS
AT RACE DIRECTOR’S DISCRETION

Zach Osborne’s last-minute move from the A Group to the B Group during Timed Qualifying at the Loretta Lynn’s Two Motocross caused plenty of controversies, as some wondered if everyone would be given the same opportunity in a similar predicament. The situation was a perfect storm of problems: a bike problem happened to the championship leader at a race where there was only one practice session due to mud.

The rule book has long said that riders ranked in the top-10 of the point standings are automatically seeded into the starting lineup of a moto, as long as they are able to put in at least one lap during the practice sessions. The race day schedule getting cut to just one set of practices put Osborne in a tight spot, and since the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team spent the entire A Group session repairing the bike, race directors allowed him to go out with the B Group. Although it was seen as a questionable move by some, MX Sports Pro Racing stated they used their best discretion at the moment and stood by it. 

Although it’s unlikely something that unusual will happen soon, MX Sports Pro Racing has added additional context 2.14 Qualifying, Point C, saying, “Classes will be seeded based on timed qualifying. Class riders will be divided into two practice/timed qualifying groups: Group A and Group B. Riders in practice Group A must participate in timed qualifying Group A. Riders in practice Group B must participate in timed qualifying Group B. Under special circumstances or unfavorable conditions, the Race Director may make necessary adjustments to the practice groups. This could include changing a rider’s practice group.”

CHANGES TO WADA & USADA CODE
“IN-COMPETITION” TIME RANGE DEFINED
SAMPLE COLLECTION METHODS
SUSPENSION FOR “SUBSTANCES OF ABUSE”

After a handful of riders served lengthy terms for anti-doping violations of the WADA Code, MX Sports Pro Racing worked with global sporting group WADA to create punishments more suitable for Pro Motocross. These rules went into effect in 2020 and state that riders will now face a maximum period of ineligibility of one year for violations that involve a Specified Substance and a maximum period of ineligibility of two years for violations that involve a non-Specified Substance or Prohibited Method.

These rules remain the same for 2021, and MX Sports Pro Racing has also added details to some of the gray areas in the rule book, including what constitutes “in-competition” and how samples will be collected by USADA officials at events.

The “in-competition” term can be a little confusing. Is in-competition considered the entire race season, or is it just race day? In Appendix B, section B5, explains that “‘in-competition’ means the period commencing at 11:59 p.m., on the day before a competition in which the Athlete is scheduled to participate, through the end of the competition and the sample collection process related to the competition.” 

USADA will get samples from selected riders in two different ways, and MX Sports Pro Racing explains the time the collection occurs will determine the method used. Riders may be subject to providing urine or blood samples before an event, but after a race is complete, they will only be asked to produce a urine sample.

There is one significant change to the WADA Code for 2021: the creation of the Substances of Abuse category. WADA has declared certain drugs such as cocaine, MDMA/ecstasy, Diamorphine/Heroin, and Tetrahydrocannabinol/THC “are frequently abused in society outside the context of sport.” These substances are banned “in-competition” (from 11:59 p.m. on the day before a competition until event completion).

Before you think that riders can toke up or rip rails between rounds, it’s important to point out that WADA has limits, measurements, and new suspensions in place to curb excessive use. If an athlete is found to have an excessive level of benzoylecgonine (the main metabolite of cocaine) or carboxy-THC in their urine, they will be subject to an investigation regarding if the drug use occurred in-competition and if it was considered performance-enhancing. 

Use outside of competition isn’t exactly allowed, either, and riders could be still be benched for up to three months for use. Under Article 10.2.4.1 of the Code, regarding these substances, “if the Athlete can establish that any ingestion or Use occurred Out-of-Competition and was unrelated to sport performance, then the period of Ineligibility shall be three months Ineligibility. In addition, the period of Ineligibility calculated under this Article 10.2.4.1 may be reduced to one month if the Athlete or other Person satisfactorily completes a Substance of Abuse treatment program approved by the Anti-Doping Organization with Results Management responsibility.”