The final round of the 2025 AMA Arenacross Championship helped kick off Daytona Bike Week as the series invaded the Ocean Center in Daytona, Florida, February 28. With the championship already being wrapped up by Vince Friese, who did not attend, the series finale was up for the taking as the sandy track provided close racing. Michael Hicks finished the season with the overall victory.
Race one saw a newcomer take over the early lead as Mike Alessi filled in for his MotoConcepts Honda teammate, Friese, who was dealing with an illness and couldn’t race. Alessi stepped up to the plate and grabbed one of his signature holeshots in the first main event. The veteran, Alessi, looked like he’d never skipped a beat as he led every lap and navigated through lappers with ease. Hicks stayed close for the entire race. Cheyenne Harmon rode smart in race one and took third.
Hicks wanted to end the season on a high note as he claimed the holeshot in the final gate drop of the year. From there, it was smooth sailing for the Yamaha rider as he led every lap of race two. Race one winner Alessi stayed close and battled for the majority of the race with teammate Ryan Breece. The two MCR Hondas rounded out the podium after finishing second (Alessi) and third (Breece) in the second main event. Alessi and Breece also claimed second and third, respectively, in the night’s overall rankings. Hicks earned the night’s overall, going 2-1. He finished third in the series points, with Breece taking the second spot behind Friese.
“I just couldn’t believe that I holeshotted Mike,” Hicks said. “I just tried to run away with it. I got a little bit of a lead, and I’m very happy.”
Hicks raced again on Saturday night and took 14th overall in the 250SX East Coast Daytona Supercross main event. CN
2025 AMA Arenacross Round 12 Results
OVERALL
- Michael Hicks (Yam) 2-1
- Mike Alessi (Hon) 1-2
- Ryan Breece (Hon) 5-3
- Anton Nordstrom (Yam) 4-4
- Cheyenne Harom (Yam) 3-7
