From Sports360AZ.com – Lead image courtesy Jeff Kardas – @kardyphoto
One of the most accomplished dirt bike riders to hail from the state of Arizona saddles up for one final season in 2022. Phoenix native, Chris Blose, prepares to hang up the helmet after 17 years of professional riding in some of the top dirt bike circuits across the world.
Chris grew up in a racing family, first mounting himself on a dirt bike at 3 years old. His father, Bob, and his uncle, Chappy, are two local legends in Arizona. The brothers’ paved the way for their next generation. Chris and his older brother Michael embarked on a professional career in dirt bike racing and found success along the way.
“We grew up riding dirt bikes just for fun and it just kind of escalated to what it is now,” Blose said.
Blose attended North Canyon High School while forging his way through the motocross ranks. The desert rider turned pro at the age of 18 in 2006 and both competed at the top levels of the sport for more than a decade.
The hometown hero rolls up to the gates in his home state one final time on Saturday night for Monster Energy Supercross, prepared to engulf himself in the ambiance as Arizona’s rider one final time.
“Man, it’s bittersweet,” Blose said. “I don’t think it’s hit me yet but just taking in moments with the fans, and the starting line, and everything else that goes along into that, just trying to take that in, you don’t get that feeling anywhere else.”
The 34-year-old’s career highlights include amateur success, Arenacross victories, and an X-Games Bronze Medal from 2013. One of the moments that transcended above most was hoisting the Australian 250cc Supercross championship. Blose left his newborn child and his wife behind as he chased a championship at the age of 31. His family was able to make the trip to the championship event where the trio celebrated Blose’s lone professional title in his veteran career.
For his final season in Supercross, Blose rides on the AJE Motorsports/Motul #66 GasGas 250cc West Series team. AJE is one of the local teams that travels the circuit and is also based in Phoenix.
The Blose family all saw success in their professional careers and stand as some of the greatest dirt bike riders from Arizona. Saturday night marks less than half of his farewell season but might be the most meaningful as he performs in front of his home crowd one final time.
