The 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship concluded with historic results at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Ridgedale, Missouri, as Jorge Prado became the first Spanish rider to capture the premier class title whilst Levi Kitchen finally broke through for his maiden professional championship in the 250SMX class.
With triple points on offer at the season finale, both championships went down to the final chequered flag in front of a capacity crowd at one of the most dynamic venues in off-road motorcycle racing history.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado secured the 450SMX crown in dramatic fashion during the second moto. After finishing fifth in the opening race won by Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan, the multi-time MXGP champion grabbed the holeshot in moto two and withstood intense late-race pressure from Deegan to claim victory by 1.7 seconds.
The 5-1 finishes gave Prado second overall on the night but, more importantly, his first championship on American soil by a seven-point margin. Deegan’s 1-2 performance earned him the overall victory and runner-up in the championship standings, whilst Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence completed the podium with consistent 3-3 scores.
“One year ago, I was watching these races and didn’t know if I’d ever be here,” said Prado. “Red Bull KTM believed in me and gave me a chance to prove myself. We worked so hard for this goal and accomplished it.”
In the 250SMX class, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen ended years of championship heartbreak with a calculated runner-up finish. After Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies dominated both motos with a 1-1 sweep, Kitchen’s 2-2 scores proved sufficient to claim the title by 24 points over Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder DiFrancesco.
“It’s been tough getting to this point. I’ve been close a few times,” Kitchen reflected. “The rain was coming down, and I just needed to ride smart. I couldn’t be more stoked to finally finish it off.”
Davies’ commanding performance provided redemption after adversity at the earlier playoff rounds, whilst Landen Gordon captured his first postseason podium with a 6-3 effort to finish third overall.
The Final also featured the inaugural WMX Invitational Powered by Synchrony, showcasing 13 of the world’s top women’s racers. Altus Motorsports bLUcRU Yamaha’s Lachlan Turner, the reigning three-time WMX champion, emerged victorious by 1.9 seconds over Quad Lock Honda’s Charli Cannon, with Triumph Racing’s Hannah Hodges rounding out the podium.
The 2027 Monster Energy SMX World Championship schedule will be unveiled on 1 October, featuring 17 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship rounds and 11 Pro Motocross Championship events.
Photo: Red Bull KTM Media
