Image: Octopi Media.

Effects from a major crash in his heat race led to Aaron Plessinger suffering a non-finish at Anaheim 2, forced to withdraw from the 450SX main event after factoring inside the top-five early on.

Plessinger went down in spectacular fashion during the final lap of heat one while running in second position behind Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Jorge Prado.

Despite being able to remount and claim P8 for a direct transfer to the main event, the 30-year-old was assisted to the Alpinestars Mobile Medical Unit, where he was cleared to line-up in the main event. He eventually withdrew with six minutes remaining on the clock.

“I actually felt pretty good today, coming off having the flu for a couple of weeks,” Plessinger said post-race. “I was feeling it in my heat race and was closing in on Jorge with a lap to go when I hit something and was sent flying off the face of the jump, so I hit the ground really hard.

“I banged myself up real good, but I was able to get up and cross the line in eighth, so I qualified for the main without having to race the LCQ, which was a positive. I did my best in the main event and was good on opening laps, but honestly, my body really started to feel it midway into the race. I will regroup this week, get a bunch of therapy on my body, and hopefully have a better race in Houston next weekend.”

The result continues Plessinger’s difficult start to the 2026 Monster Energy Supercross season, with a best finish of seventh place in San Diego currently positioning him 11th in the 450SX standings after three rounds.