Two SMX Next main events have unfolded across the 2025 Monster Energy Supercross Championship so far, and on each occasion, Kawasaki Team Green’s Landen Gordon has taken the checkered flag first, signaling what is a successful sophomore season on full-sized machinery. Profiled takes a look into the young rider’s mentality, and his season so far.

Featuring twice in last year’s Supercross Futures category, Gordon posted a seventh place finish during the first stop at Anaheim 2, before capturing an eighth place finish at the final race of the season at Utah’s Salt Lake City round.

Having graduated from the Supermini class in 2023 and stepping onto full-sized machinery last year, this learning curve can take some time to master, particularly in Supercross. And despite dual-top 10s, Gordon had higher expectations.

Image: Octopi Media.

“The first few [of these races] weren’t how I would have liked. Definitely very frustrating. But I started working with Will Hahn, and we’ve made a lot of gains, as we could see tonight,” commented Gordon following his Glendale triumph. “I’m stoked with where I’m at now – I feel a lot more confident.”

Acquiring the right members is a critical piece of the professional sports puzzle, with the introduction of former 250SX East class champion Hahn to the program, alongside current 450SX class racer Colt Nichols, providing significant guidance for the young rider throughout the early stages of his career, and the work is paying off.

“Working with Colt Nichols as well, he definitely keeps me in my place. We work on having a good attitude every day, just going about our work with a good mindset. The big thing we’ve been working on with Will is just cutting everything out and focusing on my riding.”

Image: Octopi Media.

At a time where focus is at a premium due to more and more riders finding it difficult to make it through a full season healthy, the words of five-time Monster Energy Supercross champion Ricky Carmichael illustrates what the objective ought to be for the riders competing in the SMX Next division, and provides insight into what team managers may be keeping an eye on.

“When I talk to these guys and give them advice, I always tell them to make all the laps,” commented Carmichael during last weekend’s SMX Next race in Daytona. “The only way you’re going to impress us is if you put in a solid ride and don’t override the race, as you’ve got to get it to the finish line.”

This commentary came at a time where Gordon rocketed to the holeshot of the second SMX Next round of 2025 in Daytona, and captured his second victory of the year via a smooth and calculated performance, keeping his results sheet clean after two rounds.

Image: Octopi Media.

“Coming into Daytona, I just wanted to execute like I did in Glendale. My main goal was to hit every rhythm, every lap, and take what came to me,” mentioned Gordon post race. “The pressure is really high at these events, all the eyes are on you, and it’s really hard to take in. But I feel like every round we get to do, the nerves get less and less. Balancing those nerves is the key, and I’m just stoked to come away with another win tonight.”

A good performance at one or two of these rounds, in front of the right eyeballs, can drastically shift the trajectory of a rider’s career. This applies both from a positive and negative standpoint, with the former capturing the attention of the right people, and the latter freezing under the stadium lights.

For Gordon, two for two in SMX Next this year suggests that he is not only managing the nerves, but is also well on his way to becoming a name to watch in the professional ranks in the not too distant future.