Image: Octopi Media.

New 450MX champion Hunter Lawrence revealed pre-race in Columbus that he is managing a torn ligament in his left wrist from the Ironman National, racing on in a bid to challenge for the SMX crown despite a difficult opening weekend of the playoffs.

The 27-year-old explained during Friday’s pre-race press conference that he sustained a torn triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) at the Pro Motocross finale, which impacted his preparation in the lead-up to round one of the SMX post-season.

“Unfortunately, I partially tore my TFS ligament from my wrist down to my hand, so we just treaded lightly on that and got it recovered as best we could – not an amazing [test for SMX],” he said.

Lawrence had previously injured his right wrist in Detroit on the way to finishing second in the 450SX standings, but it is his more freshly-injured left wrist that has been causing more problems in recent weeks.

Columbus presented a tough weekend overall for the Honda HRC Progressive rider, who struggled to come to grips with his CRF450RWE in the rain-soaked conditions – a trend that has largely continued throughout the 2026 season.

Lawrence posted a 21-8 scorecard on Saturday for 15th overall, the number one seed dropping to sixth in the 450SMX standings, 10 points behind new red-plate holder Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).

“What a day – it sucked, and I sucked,” he said afterward. “We’ve just got to figure out what this big girl likes in the mud. Any time we get in wet conditions, it’s a whole other ball game… I feel like I am riding a totally different track to some of the other guys.

“[I’m] so glad the championship isn’t decided at the first round. I’ve struggled at [the] first SMX rounds in years prior, but nothing like this. I’m shaking off the championship hangover, and going to get back to my winning ways next weekend at round two.”

Double points are on offer for this weekend’s second playoff inside Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles, while the world championship decider in Missouri will feature triple points, allowing ample opportunity to make up ground in the standings from this point.