Cody Janssen Kicks of New Season with Hard Fought Second at Season Opener

Last season was a season of destiny for Cody Janssen, and one that he and his crew will never forget. He won the first three motos of the season before a mechanical issue ended his streak, but by pushing his quad across the finish line he was able to salvage a 3rd overall at Rd. 2. He won three consecutive motos again in South Carolina and Tennessee, but a mistake in Moto 2 at Muddy Creek while attempting a pass for the lead led to a season worst 5th overall. He rebounded by dominating both motos in the mud at Sunset Ridge. He overcame some hurdles and finished a strong second at Unadilla, but at RedBud he thought he blew it with all his goals still right in front of him. While sprinting away in Moto 1 at the legendary Redbud facility, he got a rock caught in his front brake rotor and cartwheeled down the Manza Wall. He remounted and passed as many riders as possible but couldn’t hold back tears thinking the title was slipping away from him. In Moto 2 it was a ride for pride, as he channeled his emotion and dominated the field in his most impressive moto of the season. Janssen had somehow salvaged a 3rd overall finish despite the carnage in Moto 1, and behind him everything had lined up perfectly. Going into the Loretta Lynn’s season finale, the objective was simple – win the event and the National Championship would be his. There was never any doubt as Cody rode his way to a perfect 1-1 score to clinch the title by a single point, Cody Janssen was your 2019 25+ ATV Motocross National Champion.

Cody Janssen is not only a racer, but has turned into one of the most prominent media members with the rise of his Digging Deep ATVMX Podcast (which he is the host of). He’s been on record saying during these past few years he’s fallen more in love with the sport of ATV racing than ever before. It’s not overly difficult for a defending champion on find motivation, because the champ always wants to defend his title and show that it’s rightfully his. It was no different for Janssen, who could not wait to get back to racing, but for a while this 2020 ATV Motocross National Championship season looked very in doubt. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, first the Texas season opener was postponed, then the South Carolina race was also postponed, but after over two months of uncertainty things finally took a positive turn when news broke that the Ironman event would be moved to Georgia. It was deemed safe to race and the peach state would play host to a safe and responsible return to racing. ATV motocross was back!

Aonia Pass MX would play host to the makeshift ATV Motocross season opener. The ATV Nationals hadn’t traveled to the Washington, Georgia, facility since back in 2014, but the best ATV racers in the world were greeted by an even more beautiful facility than they remembered. Due to an extremely busy work schedule and his program coming together relatively late, you could count on one hand how many times Cody Janssen had been on his ATV in 2020 -- but you would’ve never known it, as the defending 25+ National Champ reportedly set the fastest lap time of the day during Friday’s practice sessions. With a bunch of momentum and confidence, as well as sporting his red number plate backgrounds signifying he is the defending champion, Cody Janssen rolled to the starting gate to finally kick off the new season. He came out second and would stay in the runner-up position for the duration of the race. I think he tried every alternate line on the fast racetrack, pulling nearly side by side with the leader a number of times, but just couldn’t comfortably make the pass stick. He came up less than a half second short of the moto win. The seconds moto would be similar and different at the same time. Cody ripped a picture perfect holeshot in Moto 2 and was riding smart in the lead at the mid-race point, but shortly thereafter he made an uncharacteristic mistake and jumped off the side of the track and onto the water truck lane. He would be forced to jump a berm to re-enter the racetrack and wouldn’t be able to mount enough of a charge to grab the win after that, coming up just one second short. Cody Janssen would claim second overall at the season opener with 2-2 scores.

“Man, it’s SO good to be back at the races!” Cody said. “I’m bummed at the result after ripping a perfect holeshot and leading there [in moto 2], but I’m super excited knowing that I’m only going to get so much stronger the rest of the way…We can finally ride, our gyms are finally open, and it’s back to our normal grind. I can’t wait to head to Muddy Creek and get this bad taste out of my mouth, but man it’s good to be back!”

En route to his 2019 National Championship, Cody Janssen was forced to overcome a number of hurdles – and overcome them he did. With that experience fresh in his mind, it’s safe to say that a 2nd place finish at the season opener is hardly a hurdle. A solid start to the season and a title defense is something unachievable alone, it’s all thanks to the incredible support system that the champ has behind him. 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 Pivot Works – 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 Goldspeed 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, The Program Training, D.I.D Chain, Atlas Brace, Bell Helmets, 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, All Balls Racing, 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, Corey Garrison and Parts Unlimited, the Reynolds Family and Reynolds Body Shop, the Dean and Pauline Janssen family, 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, Dallas Janssen, and many others. Without such amazing support, continuing the pursuit of dreams and goals would never be possible. Photos curtesy of Mike Vizor, Logan Tremellen, and Ken Hill.

It's so good to have racing back! The ATV Motocross National Championship is scheduled to head to the hills of Eastern Tennessee to Muddy Creek Raceway in Blountville, Tennessee, for the next stop on the tour. This event will take place on the weekend of June 6/7 where Cody Janssen will look to grab his first victory of the new season. It’s great to be back, hope to see you there!