Image: Octopi Media.

A decisive opening lap clash with Haiden Deegan during the second SMX Playoff in St. Louis saw Levi Kitchen issued a written warning from the AMA after riding that was deemed both ‘reckless’ and ‘aggressive’.

The pair collided just moments into the second 250SMX moto inside The Dome at America’s Center, which ultimately sent them both to the ground and playing catch-up for the remainder of the race.

Kitchen (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) would recover to score 12th in the moto and 10th overall, while race one winner Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) took P14 after completing the moto without a front brake lever.

Given that it was his first offence of this nature, no positions or points penalties were applied to Kitchen’s scorecard.

“Levi Kitchen is being penalized for ‘aggressive/reckless riding’ for the incident with Haiden Deegan during moto two,” read a statement from the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX). “First offense is a written warning, no position or points penalty will be applied.”

On his side, Kitchen offered: “Qualifying went well and I felt like I was riding really strong. In the first moto, I didn’t get the best start but worked my way up to fifth. In the second moto, I got a great start but came together with Haiden and went down. I feel like I’m improving every weekend – my speed is good, so we’ll head into Vegas ready to send it and see what we can do.”

The incident leaves reigning two-time 250SMX champion Deegan at a 10-point deficit to round winner Jo Shimoda (Honda HRC Progressive), with nine points the difference between first and second place at the season finale in Las Vegas this weekend.