The 2026 Pro Motocross Championship concluded with high drama at Ironman Raceway on 29th August, as Hunter Lawrence edged his brother Jett Lawrence by just two points to claim his first premier class title and the prestigious Edison Dye Cup. The historic finale saw record crowds witness one of the sport’s most compelling storylines in over five decades.
In the 250SMX Class, Cole Davies became the first New Zealander in 55 years to capture the Gary Jones Cup, clinching the championship on his 19th birthday after title rival Levi Kitchen suffered heartbreak with a DNF in the opening moto.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing dominated proceedings on track, with Jorge Prado securing his maiden victory on U.S. soil with a commanding 1-1 performance in the 450SMX Class, whilst Julien Beaumer claimed his second career win in the 250SMX division.
The championship-deciding 450SMX action began disastrously for both Lawrence brothers. Hunter Lawrence grabbed the holeshot in Moto 1 but was collected by Haiden Deegan after the Yamaha rider crashed directly in front of him. Both remounted at the back of the field, with Hunter in 39th position.
Whilst Prado controlled proceedings at the front, eventually winning by 11.5 seconds over RJ Hampshire, Hunter mounted a heroic charge through the field to salvage eighth place. Jett Lawrence, who also suffered a poor start, could only manage 11th, handing his older brother a crucial four-point advantage heading into the final moto.
The tension continued in Moto 2 as Prado led the field to the holeshot with both Lawrence brothers in tow. Hunter briefly held second before a near-crash dropped him to third behind Deegan. A mid-race fall cost him another position to Jett, but the elder Lawrence tactically managed his position, knowing fourth was sufficient for the title.
Prado dominated the finale, winning by 6.6 seconds over Deegan, with Jett third and Hunter fourth. The result secured Hunter the championship by the slimmest of margins, making the Lawrence brothers the first siblings in history to win premier class championships.
Cooper Webb celebrated his final full-time Pro Motocross appearance with a podium finish (3-8), whilst Hampshire‘s consistent 2-6 rides earned him second overall.
In the 250SMX Class, Kitchen‘s title hopes evaporated when mechanical issues forced him out of Moto 1 whilst running outside the top ten. The Kawasaki rider was unable to start Moto 2 and will undergo further evaluation.
Davies secured the championship with a third-place finish in the opening moto, becoming the third-youngest rider to win both Supercross and Pro Motocross titles in the same season. His conservative 13th in Moto 2 was academic, finishing 38 points clear in the final standings.
Chance Hymas recovered from an early crash to win Moto 1, then battled Beaumer throughout the finale, ultimately settling for second overall on the tiebreaker. Ryder DiFrancesco completed the podium with 7-3 finishes.
The Monster Energy SMX World Championship now heads into its playoff format, with the first of two playoff rounds scheduled for Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on 11-12 September, before the championship concludes at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Missouri on 25-26 September.
Photo: MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc. Media
