The SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) weekend in Charlotte highlighted the unpredictability of the hybrid series, ultimately won by defending champions Jett Lawence and Haiden Deegan before the rain – and thunderstorms – came. In this edition of Countdown, MotoOnline notes five things that we took from Playoff 1 of the 2025 season.

Image: Octopi Media.

5. Depth counts:
We saw a stacked field in both the 250SMX and 450SMX categories at zMAX, aided by the fact that a handful of riders returned from injury – which was especially the case in the premier division – as Cooper Webb (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing), Ken Roczen (Progressive Insurance Ecstar Suzuki), and Chase Sexton (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) were on the line at Playoff 1. Their presence was felt, as Sexton powered to P1 in qualifying and showed his usual blistering pace across the day, while we expect Webb to climb the leaderboard on a more Supercross-style layout this weekend in St. Louis, which should suit this year’s Monster Energy Supercross 450SX champion. The 250s have been rolling in depth all summer long throughout the Pro Motocross Championship, and Charlotte was yet another showing of an ultra-fast 22 riders. A demonstration of this is Austin Forkner’s (Triumph Factory Racing) P5 result, which shows just how important a start is in the class.

4. Missed opportunities:
Seth Hammaker (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) and Jo Shimoda (Honda HRC Progressive) may have finished with second and third on the scoresheet, which reads well, but in reality this was a missed opportunity for the pair who are expected to be title contenders. When reigning champion Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) is outside the top-five off the start, and you occupy positions one and two after the opening lap, that’s a perfect time to gain points and make a statement to the 19-year-old that he has a fight on his hands. Instead, Shimoda had an unnecessary incident while forcing the issue with Hammaker early and went down, while Deegan evaporated an 11-second advantage held by Seth at the head of the field, to be the rider to beat in 250SMX once again. Maybe it’s harsh, but these things shouldn’t be happening to two seasoned racers battling for the title, as they must close pivotal races like this one out if they are to win the championship. It’s far from over, although these moments can’t be afforded when battling someone like Deegan.

Image: Octopi Media.

3. 450SMX next:
All eyes were on Jett Lawrence (Honda HRC Progressive) once again in North Carolina to open the post-season, though as mentioned above, both Sexton and Tomac did keep him honest. With the unique points structure – that being double and triple points – on offer at the next two Playoff rounds, it means that this is still anyone’s game. Keep watch of how the top six in the 450SMX division shake down in St. Louis, with Hunter Lawrence (Honda HRC Progressive), Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing), and Webb alongside the previously mentioned names being genuine threats in this championship chase. All it takes is for someone to catch fire at one of these unique races, and suddenly, the complexion of the series can and will change.

2. The unknown:
The unknown elements of the SMX post-season double as the series’ defining features, with unique race tracks combined with a special points structure making it an intriguing watch. Charlotte was wild – especially track-wise – and it throws both teams and riders for a loop as they do their best to set their motorcycles up for a techy, Supercross-style rhythm lane, while also needing the plushness in their setting to attack ultra-rough motocross sections, which was fast-paced this time around, too. It must be a nightmare for the riders, but for the fans, it’s brilliant, because what we get to see is the very best athletes in the world tested, so we can bear witness to their full skillset. Each venue will have its own characteristic, although given that this is a blend of each discipline, most known commodities are thrown out the window, and we get to see how the best-of-the-best navigate the unknown.

Image: Octopi Media.

1. Lawrence and Deegan on target:
They say the more things change the more they stay the same, and when it’s all said and done, we’re still here watching both Lawrence and Deegan reign supreme in each category. As mentioned, there are the unknowns of SMX and hungry contenders, but it’s going to require the field to be at its absolute best if they are to topple each of these riders, who are the defending two-time champions of each class in SMX. The history books of SMX’s biggest trophies read only their names, and after Charlotte, it would appear that they are on target to each make it number three for the 2025 season. Yes, already.