Since joining Showa in July 2024 and being assigned to Monster Energy® Kawasaki just a few months later in October, Suspension Technician Hudson Poole has quickly become a vital part of the team’s success. His job may be behind the scenes, but the impact he makes on the performance of the motorcycle is front and center each race weekend.

"Working with Jason Anderson and Jorge Prado is unique because they’re both proven champions,” Poole explains. “Their styles and preferences might differ, but they know what they want when it comes to bike feel. That kind of feedback allows us to be really precise with our setup.”

Race day is a dynamic environment, and Poole emphasizes the need to stay adaptable. “The track is the biggest variable, so flexibility is rule number one,” he says. “We're constantly responding to changes in terrain and conditions. On top of that, every rider has their own language when it comes to feedback, so we have to make sure we’re dialed in to how they communicate.”

What fans might not realize, Poole adds, is how much logistics play into a successful suspension program. “We’re working out of trucks, test vans, workshops—even remote tracks across the country. Making sure everything’s where it needs to be, from tools to parts, is a challenge in itself. But if we get that right, it lets us focus on making the bike better.”

Despite the long hours and constant travel, Poole says he wouldn’t trade it for anything.