MXA tester, Ezra Lewis, is driving to all 11 rounds of the AMA Nationals. In between High Point and Red Bud, the series has a week off. Ezra, Bryce, and Jason drove to Southwick to get some early sand practice in before the series stops there in a few weeks. 

EZRA’S ADVENTURES: THE PRIVATEER JOURNEY FROM HIGH POINT TO 2023 RED BUD NATIONAL

In every issue of Motocross Action magazine and in every one of our videos, we have test riders riding different bikes and wearing different gear. Sometimes we mention the names of our “show ponies” and explain who they are, but not often. Usually, they are masked by the orange helmet and we focus our attention on how the bike performed. 

Ezra Lewis, also known as “Ezra Sexton,” is our most stylish MXA test rider and he’s graced the cover of the magazine three different times since he began helping us with photoshoots three years ago. He also spoke on camera in our Pro Circuit YZ125 test video (see here) and has appeared in many ‘This Week in MXA’ videos. Last year, Ezra traveled the country in his van, racing the 2022 Pro Motocross series. Over the offseason, Ezra worked at FedEx to save money for his 2023 National season and now he’s at it again, traveling the country to all eleven rounds of the AMA Nationals.

So far, Ezra has had a tough go at three of the first four races. He just missed qualifying at Fox Raceway and Thunder Valley and had some bike issues while trying to qualify at the High Point National. However, he was quick at Hangtown, making it straight into the motos in the timed qualifying sessions and finishing 31-22 in the motos. 

We’re happy to say that he’ll be documenting his adventures of racing as a privateer on our website throughout the summer. 

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Ezra Lewis on the line for qualifying at the Thunder Valley National. 

MXA: AFTER HIGH POINT, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO? WHO ARE YOU TRAVELING WITH? 

Ezra: Saturday after the race we stayed the night at the High Point track with fellow Californians, Jason Fichera and Bryce Hammond. Sunday was used to catch up on bike work after the muddy mess that was Saturday. Jason and I left Sunday afternoon and met up with Bryce and Matt on Monday. After staying three days at High Point in Pennsylvania, we drove five hours to Promise Land State Park in Delaware, just past Scranton and three hours from New York. The area reminded me of Lake Tahoe because it’s nestled in the woods. The three of us parked our trailers off the dirt path in some tall grass. Bryce and his Dad Matt found it for us as Jason Fichera and I were a couple of hours behind. It was the perfect place to get a run, swim, or mountain bike ride in before we continued on toward Southwick, Massachusetts. 

Southwick is known for being a gnarly track. Having some extra seat time on it before the National will help the Californians big time. 

MXA: WHAT ARE YOU UP TO THIS WEEK? 

Ezra: Bryce is from Northern California and he met Billy Ainsworth at his local track, Argyll Mx, in NorCal, just before racing the Hangtown National. His connection allowed us to come and get some early seat time at Southwick before the National. Having the one-week break before Red Bud worked out really well to do something like this. So we all decided to hit the road and ride a handful of tracks near Columbia, Connecticut. 

Ezra Lewis (830), Bryce Hammond (928), and Jason Fichera, training with Chris Canning on Wednesday evening at Southwick. 

MXA: HOW DID YOU GET INVITED TO RIDE AT SOUTHWICK?

Ezra: Billy Ainsworth put a good word for us using his connections in the area. After we rode at his track on Tuesday afternoon, he called Chris Canning and he showed us the ropes at Southwick on Wednesday. Me, Bryce, and Jason were scheduled to ride at 4:00 pm so we got there a little early and watched the local guys finish their final laps for the day just before we started training with Chris.

It’s hard to tell how much elevation the Southwick track has when watching on TV.

MXA: WHAT IS ON YOUR SCHEDULE FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK AND NEXT WEEK?

Ezra: Bryce and I are riding with Chris again tomorrow at a sandpit and also going on a bike ride for some extra cardio. Unfortunately, Jason needs to drive to Michigan early to take our friend, Ethan Day, some things he forgot to take home from High Point.

MXA: WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO PREPARE FOR RED BUD? 

Ezra: My fitness was good enough for the high temperatures in Hangtown, but I’ve struggled with intensity and riding confidently on these East Coast tracks. I’ve mostly been focusing on my riding technique and sprint speed.

Ezra and his crew on a mountain bike ride at Promise Land State Park in Delaware. 

MXA: HOW HAS LIFE ON THE ROAD BEEN SO FAR? 

Ezra: I’ve had to get more creative this trip with my workouts and not being able to go to the gym. I ran five miles in a Walmart parking lot, rode mountain bike trails with Jason and Bryce and all three of us swam until we couldn’t float anymore. There have been a lot of good times and it’s been fun to do things differently in a new place every week.

Ezra on the gas at the 2023 Hangtown National. 

MXA: WHAT IS IT LIKE TEAMING UP WITH TYSON JOHNSON AND HELPING HIM OUT? 

Ezra: Working for Tyson has been a great opportunity for me. Because I’m helping Tyson and I’m driving his trailer to the races, it’s allowing me to be able to race the full circuit again, something I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do. Tyson, his Dad Mike Johnson, and mechanic Rob Gonzales are all very hard-working and smart individuals. I’ve learned something from all of them and I’m thankful they allowed me to help them and help me continue as well.

WATCH EZRA IN ACTION VIA INSTAGRAM: