Second overall at Fox Raceway was a convincing start to Haiden Deegan’s 2023 Pro Motocross campaign as the 250MX revelation aims to build on that result in the coming rounds.

Deegan competed in two outdoor rounds last season, and after finishing P2 in 250SX East earlier this year, Pala marked the start of his first full motocross season.

The 17-year-old qualified sixth fastest at the opener and recovered from a mistake on lap two to take the checkered flag in P6 during the first moto. A strong showing in moto two saw him overcome Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tom Vialle and finish P2, his 6-2 scorecard landing him second overall for the day.

“Coming into outdoors, I’ve been feeling good personally, but my big thing is to have the fitness and that’s what I’ve been working on, working really hard to have the best fitness just so I can last the whole moto,” Deegan explained. “Definitely, third national, it was just kind of no pressure really right now, since it’s my full first season outdoors.

“I came into the first moto and just had a little mistake, ran over someone’s foot and I fell, but was able to charge back to sixth. Then second moto, top-five start and that’s where I needed to be. I was able to make my way up to second and I’ve just realized with this motocross, consistency is key to win a championship. So, falling in the first lap is definitely not a move, but I was able to make my way up to sixth and it kind of paid off. So, it was good.”

The strong result at the opener is an added boost for Deegan approaching the coming rounds, and he enters Hangtown this Saturday eight points behind red plate-holder Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC).

“Doing this right now is just getting me more hyped for each round,” Deegan continued. “Definitely, getting second in the first round gets me excited for more. To start the season off this way is definitely good.”