Cody Janssen Impresses as ATV Motocross National Championship Returns to Sunset Ridge
(Walnut, Illinois. June 20, 2021) – Sunset Ridge MX, located in the small northwestern Illinois town of Walnut, is one of the most picturesque facilities in all of American Motocross. One weekend each year, owners Bob and Jan Pistole share their beautiful property with the world’s top ATV racers. Incoming riders are greeted by the track’s diverse soils, immaculately kept conditions, and phenomenal staff – making Sunset Ridge the perfect grounds for the best ATV racers on the planet to do battle. As the ATV community congregated at Sunset Ridge, one rider in particular entered the weekend feeling extra motivated to get back to racing. The last time we saw 2-time defending ATV motocross National Champion, Cody Janssen, he was making his 2021 season debut at High Point Raceway. His weekend was hindered by technical difficulties that ultimately brought his weekend to a premature end, but the reigning champ was looking forward to turning his fortunes around at his “home” race on the ATV Motocross National Championship tour.
Cody Janssen’s hometown of Kaukauna, Wisconsin, is located just 4 hours northeast of Sunset Ridge Mx, making the Sunset Ridge event his closest on the schedule each summer. Over the last fifteen years, Cody has turned countless laps around this beautiful course – winning many national events, including last year’s pivotal victory that saw Cody take control on the championship and never look back. Riding a wave of momentum from past success at the facility, along with the good vibes of his “home” race (and extra excitement/appreciation for these events because Janssen is on a bit of an abbreviated schedule this season), the 4-time National Champion had been counting down the minutes for the gate to finally drop at Sunset Ridge.
The weekend was hot one, with temperatures in the 90s, and soon the racing would heat up just like the temperatures. Cody’s weekend began with the continuation of some technical difficulties, forcing him to ride his backup machine – but from that point on it was smooth sailing in the mechanical department! Wanting to make the most of his weekend at the races, Janssen decided to not only race the 25+ division (where he is the 2-time reigning and defending National Champion) – but he would enter the Pro Sport class as well, one of the fastest classes in all of ATV Motocross.
Not since 2017, had Cody Janssen signed up for a class that wasn’t the 25+ Class – dating back to his days competing in the AMA ATV Pro and Pro-Am classes. Cody had desired to race a second class for some time now, and a change in the rules had made possible for the 2021 season. Pro Sport and Pro-Am are the sport’s top amateur divisions, but with the number of past pros that enter the 25+ Class – Cody is very accustomed to being a part of one of the fastest groups of racers on any given weekend. Pro Sport is a full gate of the fastest up and coming talent in the sport, making the now 29-year-old Janssen the oldest rider in the class – but you could find Cody grinning ear to ear looking forward to the battles ahead! He pulled a great holeshot in the opening moto, before getting sucked into a first turn pileup. Cody went from being at the front of the pack, to tangled in the first corner with a couple other ATVs. Janssen dismounted, took a deep breath, and told himself “If you just ride like you practice, you’ll find your way to the front” – and that’s just what he did. He raced his way to the front, getting inside the top 5 before blowing a berm while pushing for another position on the final lap – he would finish 6th in Pro Sport Moto 1. With a good start, Janssen and his crew knew he was podium material – and that is just what he did in Moto 2. Cody nearly grabbed the holeshot and battled at the front for the entirety of the second moto. Cody would go on to finish 3rd in Pro Sport Moto 2, with his 6-3 scores earning him 4th overall on the day. If it was not for blowing that berm late in Moto 1, he would’ve stood on the podium with 3rd overall. “Not bad for an ‘old’ guy, on his practice [quad], with limited seat time.” Cody Janssen said with a grin after the race.
Cody’s holeshots were on point all weekend, all but one. Cody would have to battle back from a poor start in the opening moto of the 25+ class, but by mid-race he had passed up from around 10th to the top 3. The leaders, fellow former pros Zach Kaczmarzyk and Brett Musick, had created too big of a gap for Cody to overcome by the time he finally found himself in the top 3. After a strong ride featuring an array of good passes, Janssen felt quite confident going into Moto 2 – he just knew he needed to put himself in better position. Cody blasted out of the gate and kept pace with eventual winner (and Pro Sport winner from the day before), Zach Kaczmarzyk, throughout the race. Cody would keep the leader honest throughout the entirety of the final moto of the weekend, waiting for a mistake that never came. Cody Janssen’s 3-2 moto scores earning him 2nd overall in the 25+ division. “With three former pros, including the Pro Sport winner and myself who finished 3rd in [Pro Sport] Moto 2, 25+ was as fast as any class [this weekend]. I’m proud [of 2nd overall], I left it all out there.” Cody Janssen said with pride after racing had concluded.
“Pretty stoked on how our weekend went!” Cody Janssen posted to his official social media accounts. “2nd overall in 25+ and decided to run Pro Sport as well. Got a great start in Moto 1 before getting tangled up in the first turn, but we salvaged it by racing up to 6th and then grabbing another good start in Moto 2 and bringing it home for 3rd. Felt good about my riding, 6-3 for 4th overall in Pro Sport. Missed the podium by one spot but I’m confident we’ll have a good shot at it next time out. I had so much fun on the quad this weekend, I just have to thank everyone who helps make it possible! Good starts, ran some strong laps, and had a blast doing so — what a weekend….I also want to wish my dad a Happy Father’s Day! Another awesome memory to add to the collection!”
Cody Janssen is indescribably grateful for all the gracious supporters who helped him successfully defend his title in 2020, many of which who continue to support his efforts as he looks to accomplish more goals in 2021! He looks forward to adding to his 4 National Championships, 42 total national event wins, and countless memories with his loved ones this season and beyond – none of which would not be possible without so many incredible supporters. Cody must thank all the loyal listeners and sponsors of his Digging Deep ATVMX Podcast, the #1 podcast in ATV racing! He must also thank the riders and families who continue to support the Cody Janssen Riding School. Huge thank you for the continued support to SSI Decals, CST Tires, Valvoline, Elka Suspension, FMF Racing, and All Balls Racing Group – without the continued support of these long-time believers none of this would be possible. Thank you to his family, girlfriend Brooke, mechanic Dan Binder, and the rest of the crew at Janssen Motorsports. Extreme gratitude continues to GPS Offroad Products, Ameriprise and the Hemauer Financial Group, the Kindrick Family and Kindrick Racing, E-Z Up Brand, Klink Equipment and Klink Hydraulics, Jay Gobel and Casey Greek of Impact Solutions, Hinson Clutch Components, Thor MX, Parts Unlimited, D.I.D Chain, Atlas Brace, the Stanfield family and Napa (of Peru, Indiana), Cliff Cox and Oshkosh Tattoo & Good Girl Piercing, Precision Powder LLC, Ride 100% Brand, Trimble’s Cycle Center, Pivot Works, Hot Cams, Hot Rods, Cylinder Works, Vertex, DT1 Filters, Larry Mills and DP Brakes, Rath Racing, Walsh RaceCraft, Fourwerx Carbon, Sunstar Sprockets, Works Connection, Renthal, the Reynolds Family and Reynolds Body Shop, the Dean and Pauline Janssen family, Pat McGuire, Energy Release, Pro-Tec Racing, Evans Waterless Powersports Coolant, Blenders Eyewear, First Endurance, Pro Moto Billet/Fastway, Nova Racing Transmissions, Rocket Machining and Design, Mountaineer Brand, Northern Chill, Rocky Mountain ATV MC, Dallas Janssen, and many others. Without such incredible support, continuing the pursuit of dreams and goals would never be possible. Photos curtesy of Tremellen Media House, PH3 Photos, and Jim Herbert.
The ATV Motocross National Championship series rolls on, with upcoming events at Pleasure Valley Raceway (PA) and Unadilla MX (NY) approaching on the weekends of July 3-4 and July 17-18 respectfully. The expectation is that Cody Janssen will line up for the majority of the remaining 2021 national schedule. With the added excitement of his involvement in the Pro Sport class and the undeniable love for ATV motocross that he possesses, Cody Janssen and his crew will be counting down the minutes until the next gate drop. We surely cannot wait for that, see you there! God bless.
