After a season-long battle across both divisions, the 450MX and 250MX titles are set to be decided in this weekend’s 2026 Pro Motocross Championship finale at Ironman Raceway. In this edition of Three Things, MotoOnline lists what you can expect as the series reaches its conclusion on Saturday afternoon.

Image: Octopi Media.

Lawrence vs Lawrence in 450MX decider

Following 10 rounds of the outdoors, the 450MX red plate has been exchanged on multiple occasions, with neither Lawrence brother – Jett or Hunter – holding onto it for an extended period. The pair have been remarkably close all season, winning all 20 motos between them, as well as every overall along the way, with Hunter claiming six and Jett the other four. Now, entering the Ironman finale, it’s Hunter who holds a slender one-point advantage, setting up an extremely close title fight between the brothers. It’s not quite a winner-takes-all scenario, because if Jett were to finish 2-1 to win the overall while Hunter scores 1-2, the championship would remain Hunter’s by a single point. Jett’s accolades are well-documented by now, underlined by two 450MX titles, including a perfect season in 2023. Hunter, meanwhile, is still searching for his first premier class championship of any kind, and after falling just three points short in this year’s 450SX title fight, you can expect him to throw everything at claiming this crown.

Image: Octopi Media.

Will it be Davies or Kitchen in 250MX?

We’ve seen this year’s 250MX series unfold largely as expected, with the era of Lawrence brothers and Haiden Deegan dominance coming to an end. A shift like that naturally brings renewed belief from the riders who see themselves as the next in line, and this season we’ve seen Seth Hammaker, Jo Shimoda, Julien Beaumer, Chance Hymas and even Sacha Coenen – at select rounds – all make their case as the new benchmark in the class. The championship fight, however, is now between Cole Davies and Levi Kitchen, with 14 points separating the pair entering Ironman. Both have shown race-winning pace this year, although that has been coupled with wild inconsistency at times, with both riders leaving a lot of points on the table at various stages. Kitchen’s moto one crash at Budds Creek – coupled with his four-position penalty – was a huge blow to his title hopes, giving Davies a comfortable 14-point buffer. The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider has also been in strong form across the Washougal, Unadilla and Budds Creek Nationals. It’s never over until it’s over, although Davies enters Ironman as the favorite to claim a maiden 250MX title, with Kitchen needing a little help to close the gap.

Image: Octopi Media.

The disruptors across both categories

And then there are those riders who don’t give a damn about what’s happening at the top-end of town, with Deegan and Jorge Prado the prime candidates here in 450MX. Deegs actually said as much in the post-race press conference from Budds Creek, explaining: “I’m ready to just give them [the Lawrences] hell, really, [and] make it hard for both of them because I don’t really care for either.” The double 250MX champion is yet to win a moto in his rookie premier class season, and you know he’s desperate to change that. The same applies to four-time world champion Prado, who has also expressed frustration with his inability to win so far in 2026, even if he has been gaining strength in recent weeks. These two are genuine disruptors, racing with nothing to lose while Jett and Hunter have the bigger picture to consider. In 250MX, there is probably less emotional charge from the remaining contenders, although Beaumer, Hymas and Ryder DiFrancesco have their own battle for third overall, with 31 points separating the trio. Don’t expect them to roll over for either Davies or Kitchen – they’ve each got their own goals to chase down at Ironman.