Image: Octopi Media.

Two-time 250SMX champion Haiden Deegan has detailed his chaos-packed second moto at the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) decider in Las Vegas, stating ‘I gave it everything I had to win the championship’ in search of a third-straight crown.

Tensions were high entering The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway SMX Final, with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider facing a 10-point deficit with only nine points separating first from second place under the unique triple points format.

Title rival Jo Shimoda (Honda HRC Progressive) then delivered a crushing blow to the 19-year-old’s hopes of earning title number three by capturing a clutch opening race win, placing him in the box seat to seal a maiden championship.

In race two, the gloves came off with Deegan’s strategy beginning, as he launched numerous aggressive passes in the number 30’s direction, only for each one to yield unsuccessful. A final effort left the two on the ground, with Deegan exiting altogether after cracking his collarbone in the impact.

Shimoda, meanwhile, went on to take second position in the moto, which combined with his race one win, earned him the overall for the round and the 250SMX World Championship title for 2025.

“I gave it everything I had to win the championship,” Deegan recounted. “This new format of racing in SMX makes for an intense grand finale – I always give 110 percent. It’s high-stakes racing, and it’s hard to really explain what that’s like without being in that situation.

“Props to Jo on the championship, he put up a hell of a fight. I have made it to every single gate drop since I started racing pro – last night finally bit me as I cracked my collarbone. I am getting it fixed and will be back to work to come back stronger than ever.”

Deegan would earn a five-point penalty as a result of what was deemed as ‘aggressive riding’ in the aftermath of the second outing, seeing him complete this year’s SMX championship in fifth place.

It’s unclear where the injury leaves the double Pro Motocross 250MX champion in his position on Team USA for the upcoming Motocross of Nations (MXoN) in two weeks’ time, with his selection marking his first time representing America.