It was a wild start to the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship post-season inside Columbus’ Historic Crew Stadium, with the weather wreaking havoc on the race track and creating chaos across both the 250SMX and 450SMX divisions. Revisit the action through our Captured feature, highlighting the defining moments from the weekend in illustrated form.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Daxton Bennick had a career day in Ohio, delivering the type of result we expected after a highly rated amateur career. The 250SMX overall win was actually in his hands with two laps to go before Levi Kitchen ripped it away, but nonetheless, Bennick has to be thrilled with the outcome – which included the opening race victory.

Welcome to the premier-class winner’s circle, Haiden Deegan! A convincing 1-1 performance left no question as to who was the best 450SMX rider in Columbus.

Heartbreak for Cole Davies in 250SMX moto one. After leading the first 11 laps, his motorcycle expired after something became lodged in the rear brake, ultimately putting too much strain on the engine. The Kiwi sensation rebounded with a victory in race two, limiting the damage to his 250SMX title hopes.

‘I feel like Columbus was a pretty big missed opportunity for me’ – mud specialist Aaron Plessinger after scoring 10-6 for seventh overall.

The track conditions at Columbus were the ultimate test for the sport’s best riders, including the ultra-fit, ultra-talented Ken Roczen. After spending much of the summer away from racing, you’d have to think that the 2026 450SX champion would be quietly satisfied with a 2-2 to start the post-season.

This is not the view that anyone – most certainly not the track crew – wants to be looking at the morning of an event. Given the circumstances, it was remarkable that racing in general was salvageable, although Saturday’s qualification sessions were canceled.

Playoff 1 was not a good way to start Jo Shimoda’s 250SMX title defense, with the Honda HRC Progressive rider struggling big time across both races.

It took some time for official word to reach Levi Kitchen that he had indeed won the 250SMX overall. Usually, a 2-2 score would not beat a 1-3 – which is what Bennick achieved – but given we were on Olympic scoring for SMX, the accumulated numbers actually turn out the same. So, both riders finished with four points, with Kitchen’s better second outing giving him the nod for the win.

Talk about sportsmanship! Malcolm Stewart assists Jason Anderson off the track in the second 450SMX encounter, after the pair collided on the downramp of the finish jump.

Victory in the 450SMX Wildcard race was a strong way for Shane McElrath to open his tenure with the Liqui Moly Beta Factory Racing program. He was also eighth overall across the motos, beating some high-profile riders along the way.

What a difference 12 months can make! Jorge Prado is the 450SMX points leader on 42, although he has Deegs [40] and Cooper Webb [38] hot on his heels.

Hunter Lawrence also had a torrid day out in Columbus, hitting the deck on multiple occasions and never really firing on all cylinders. He did, however, race his way up to eighth in moto two, salvaging some 450SMX points in the process. He, along with several riders, will be happy that the next two rounds will offer double and triple points.

Notable absentees from the double race format were ClubMX Racing’s Max Anstie and Devin Simonson, with both riders failing to make it through the 250SMX Wildcard outing. Tough break for two riders who can be right in the mix.