Two rounds into the 2025 World Supercross Championship (WSX) and it’s been Ken Roczen and Eli Tomac who have stood atop the SX1 podiums, but beneath the surface – and beyond the wildcards – there is an escalating title fight emerging between Jason Anderson and Christian Craig, with Joey Savatgy also still within striking distance.

WSX has adopted a wildcard-based strategy for this year, which is a reasonable move from the organizers as they can add certain star power for individual rounds, rather than making season-long commitments to the likes of Roczen (2022-2023 champion) and Tomac (2024 champion) as they have in previous seasons.

This sees Roczen, Tomac, Haiden Deegan, Justin Cooper, and Cooper Webb in for select events, although in the grand analysis, they won’t feature in the championship picture due to their selective participation. And that’s despite Roczen not actually being listed as a wildcard, but rather a part-time PMG Suzuki entry.

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While Roczen technically holds the red plate following two of five rounds, it’s new Pipes Motorsport Group (PMG) teammate Jason Anderson – currently ranked P2 in the standings and trailing Roczen by 20 points – courtesy of a 5-3 scorecard in Argentina and Canada that in fact leads the way in terms of the SX1 series regulars.

Anderson made a high-profile switch to Suzuki machinery from Monster Energy Kawasaki late this year, which is a substantial change for the 32-year-old at this stage in his career. P5 in Buenos Aires City may not have read great on paper, but he managed to climb the order to third overall in Vancouver and signaled that progress is there.

Another rider to have turned his fortunes around in WSX is Craig, who sits next in line to challenge Anderson for the premier class crown. He has transferred to the Quad Lock Honda camp, reverting to a CRF450R after multiple seasons at both Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna.

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These two are at critical junctures in the latter stages of their careers, at a time when a world championship would actually mean a great deal. The momentum gained from sealing a title – irrespective of where it is – gives riders a shot of confidence that no amount of practice laps can, with the trophy at the end of this being a meaningful one for each.

It validates their move, rewards the team and sponsors who went out to retrieve them, and gives them momentum entering Monster Energy Supercross come January. So, beyond the headlines made by Tomac and Roczen – as well as Deegan in his 450 debut at the opener – the battle between Anderson and Craig is just as crucial, with each targeting a title within their rejuvenated careers.

So, as it stands, Anderson currently leads Craig (who is positioned fourth overall) by five points, with three rounds remaining in the 2025 season, including the Australian, Swedish, and South African GPs. And just 12 points behind Anderson lies Savatgy, who has come close on multiple occasions to claiming the SX1 crown. He was second in 2022 and 2023, followed by third in 2024.

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Given the above, it’s easy to see how each respective rider isn’t without motivation to top the SX1 world championship, with this race within a race well and truly alive following two rounds of competition. It’s beyond this trio that the riders thin out, with Team GSM’s Greg Aranda on 32 points, but a full 33 behind Anderson.

Of the riders who have failed to fire so far this year, you could look to either Venum BUD Racing Kawasaki’s Justin Hill, who is 11th overall on 22 points, or Vince Friese, whose all-new collaboration with the Stark program has yielded just 10 points, and he is surprisingly positioned last in the title race.

We’ve got a balance between the bigger-name wildcard attractions and the actual title picture that is unfolding in the background at this point, with each headline somewhat as interesting as the other. It may just be the balance WSX needed to strike from the get-go – and come the final two rounds, all eyes will be directed to the championship to be decided.

Either way, despite what the points tally says, you’ve got Anderson at the front of the pack, closely chased by teammates Craig and Savatgy in positions two and three. Only the 12 points separate this trio after two rounds, with a number one plate proving valuable for each of them – albeit for differing reasons.