Following Ken Roczen’s historic Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship victory, the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship now shifts outdoors for what promises to be one of the most anticipated Pro Motocross Championship seasons in recent memory. The 11-round summer campaign kicks off on 30th May at Fox Raceway in Southern California.
The headline storyline centres on the highly anticipated first meeting between Jett Lawrence and Haiden Deegan in the premier 450SMX Class. Lawrence, the reigning Pro Motocross champion who had amassed every major SMX championship by age 20, will face Deegan, the second-generation talent fresh off one of the most prolific 250SMX Class careers of all time.
Adding intrigue to their showdown is Lawrence’s 2026 racing debut following offseason surgery to repair a broken ankle and foot. The Honda HRC Progressive rider’s fitness and form remain question marks as he prepares to battle Deegan’s Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing machine.
“The excitement, compelling drama, and unpredictability of Monster Energy Supercross was at its peak this season,” said Davey Coombs, President of MX Sports Pro Racing. “Now it’s our turn to take it outside and open things up with 40-rider gates, legendary racetracks, and the most passionate fans in motorsports.”
Whilst the Lawrence-Deegan rivalry dominates headlines, an exceptionally talented field of contenders lurks beneath the radar. Four-time Pro Motocross Champion Eli Tomac has rejuvenated his career with an offseason move to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. The 33-year-old remains hungry to reassert himself in the discipline where “Beast Mode” was born.
Former champions Chase Sexton and Dylan Ferrandis also switched manufacturers for 2026, with Sexton joining Monster Energy Kawasaki and Ferrandis piloting the new Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing entry. Both riders finished Supercross strongly, with Sexton claiming the finale victory.
Hunter Lawrence, coming off a runner-up Supercross finish just three points shy of the title, seeks his first premier class championship after consecutive runner-up finishes in his first two 450SMX Class seasons. Meanwhile, two-time FIM World Champion Jorge Prado returns to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing determined to prove his outdoor credentials in his second American season.
The 250SMX Class presents one of the most wide-open fields in history following Deegan’s graduation. Early favourites include Honda HRC Progressive duo Chance Hymas and Jo Shimoda, alongside Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen. However, breakthrough Supercross champion Cole Davies aims to prove his outdoor credentials with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, whilst 33-year-old veteran Max Anstie provides the wild card with his wealth of European and American experience.
The 2026 Pro Motocross Championship runs from 30th May at Fox Raceway through 29th August at Ironman Raceway in Indiana, traversing every American time zone across 11 rounds of competition.
Photo: Monster Energy Supercross Media
