The inaugural SMX Next – Motocross Scouting Moto Combine will take place this Friday, July 3, at Michigan’s legendary RedBud MX, bringing together 25 elite amateur prospects on the eve of the 5.11 RedBud National. The event marks the first of two summer combines designed to cultivate the sport’s next generation of professional talent.
AMA Hall of Famers Broc Glover and Kevin Windham headline the rider coach lineup, joined by former international professionals Michael Byrne (Australia) and Gareth Swanepoel (South Africa). The coaches will provide one-on-one mentorship to the selected riders throughout the weekend.
“SMX Next is a proven development programme that continues to foster young talent through one-of-a-kind exposure opportunities alongside the sport’s premier professional championships,” said Jim Perry, Programme Director for the Scouting Moto Combine. “From multi-time champions like Haiden Deegan to rising stars like Cole Davies, SMX Next has served as the proving ground for the future stars of the sport.”
The 25-rider field was selected through collaboration with competing manufacturers including Honda, Husqvarna, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, Triumph, and Yamaha. Many participants have achieved success at the American Motocross Majors and the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Landon Gibson enters as the most experienced rider with a dozen SMX Next starts and a moto win at RedBud last summer. KTM Orange Brigade’s Luke Fauser arrives fresh from his professional debut two weeks ago, whilst Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Carson Wood hopes to leverage recent top-20 finishes in his first two professional starts.
Friday’s combine will feature two 25-minute-plus-one-lap motos on the famed RedBud layout, determining an overall winner and podium. All 25 prospects will also participate in a special 10-minute practice session on the fully prepped track during Saturday’s National programme, leading into opening ceremonies.
Beyond track sessions, participants will receive classroom-style education on health, fitness, nutrition, and media engagement from industry leaders. The initiative combines two summer Scouting Moto Combines with five SMX Next – Supercross races, culminating in the SMX Next World All-Stars during the Monster Energy SMX World Championship Playoffs.
The programme has already produced significant professional talent, with two-time SMX World Champion Haiden Deegan leading a growing list of graduates. At the recent High Point round, 29 of the 42 riders in the 250SMX Class (69%) had competed in at least one Scouting Moto Combine.
The RedBud Combine takes place as part of America’s 250th Anniversary celebration weekend, with the 53rd running of the 5.11 RedBud National scheduled for Saturday, July 4.
Photo: MX Sports Pro Racing Media
