JOHNSON VALLEY, Calif.
Published January 24, 2026
Amped Electric Games has crowned the first-ever King of the Motos champions, marking a major milestone in the evolution of electric unicycle racing. Held during the 20th anniversary of King of the Hammers in Johnson Valley, California, the three-format competition also served as the inaugural USAEUC-sanctioned national championship event for the sport.
Matt Burt claimed the overall King of the Motos title after winning two of the three races, navigating some of the most extreme terrain in motorsports aboard a King Song F18 electric unicycle.
Burt's victories in both the Short Course and Chocolate Thunder Enduro secured him the first USAEUC King of the Motos Overall Championship title. His performance earned him prizes from event partners Brake Free and Dragy, recognizing both speed and consistency across disciplines.
Three Formats Test Elite Riders
King of the Motos, produced by Amped Electric Games, was designed to push riders across multiple racing disciplines, testing speed, technical precision, and endurance. The event featured three distinct race formats set against the legendary terrain of Johnson Valley.
The Short Course opened the weekend with a Le Mans-style start on the King of the Hammers infield. Riders sprinted to their wheels before tackling loose dirt, jumps, and berms, requiring careful tire pressure management and refined riding technique. Justin Davis finished second aboard a Begode X-Way, with Josh Fagerness taking third on a King Song F18.
The Chocolate Thunder Enduro sent riders across open desert and up the iconic Chocolate Thunder hill climb, where competitors signed a summit logbook before racing back to the start. The format paid tribute to the original King of the Hammers race from two decades ago. Burt's familiarity with the terrain proved decisive, earning him his second win of the weekend.
The Short Bus Enduro concluded the competition with a demanding uphill ascent followed by a soft-sand return to Gate 4. Justin Davis claimed first place, Cooler Joe finished second, and Declan Kurant rounded out the podium.
Historic Crossover With Motorcycle Racing
In a landmark moment for electric unicycle racing, EUC athletes competed for the first time in the Jeremy McGrath Hole Shot King event. Justin Davis and Joshua Fagerness represented the EUC field in the motorcycle competition, with Davis winning both of his runs.
Spectators witnessed electric unicycles competing alongside traditional motorcycles on one of off-road racing's most iconic stages, underscoring the performance capabilities of modern EUCs.
"These racers did something that no other electric unicycle racers have done under some of the most extreme conditions imaginable," said Seth Johnson, founder of Amped Electric Games and USAEUC host and broadcaster, during the awards ceremony on the King of the Hammers main stage.
Champions Across Multiple Categories
In addition to the overall championship, King of the Motos recognized standout performances across several divisions. Scott Chew earned the overall Novice Championship, while Nikki Friel dominated the Women's category. Friel also podiumed in motorcycle competition during the same weekend, highlighting the crossover athleticism of EUC riders.
In the Teen division, Gage Friend secured first place overall after winning both enduro races and the Short Course. Archer Chew finished second overall. The Chew family made history as Scott, his wife, and son Archer all earned podium finishes at the inaugural event.
Building a National Championship Framework
Building on the Ultra1 racing format introduced by Amped Electric Games in 2025, USA EUC's sanctioning of King of the Motos represents the next step toward a unified national championship system for electric unicycle racing. The framework establishes standardized race formats, national standings, and professional pathways for athletes.
"Our athletes train hard and are committed to making EUC racing a mainstream sport," Johnson said. "Amped Electric Games has always focused on creating real-world race environments that push riders to their limits, and USA EUC now provides the structure to support that at a national level."
USA EUC currently has seven championship events scheduled for the 2026 season, marking the first year of official national standings across multiple venues and disciplines. During last year's King of the Hammers, Amped Electric Games introduced more than 1,000 new riders to electric unicycles through training and demo programs.
The series is supported by partners including Brake Free, Dragy, Backcountry EUC, and eRideLife, providing professional-grade equipment, prizes, and national exposure at premier motorsports events such as King of the Hammers and Arizona Bike Week.
Looking Ahead
King of the Motos sets the benchmark for the 2026 USA EUC championship season, which will feature short course, off-road, enduro, oval, and potential on-road race formats.
Complete race standings, athlete profiles, and the full 2026 USAEUC championship calendar are available at usaeuc.com.