As the 2026 Pro Motocross Championship enters the third round of the season this weekend at Thunder Valley, plenty of storylines have already begun to take shape through two rounds of racing. In this edition of Countdown, MotoOnline takes a look at the trends emerging from the beginning of the series.

Image: Octopi Media.

8. A tough blow for Jorge Prado and Red Bull KTM at Hangtown:
A 2-2 scorecard at the Fox Raceway opener suggested that Jorge Prado could emerge as a genuine 450MX title contender in 2026. Through little fault of his own, however, the four-time world champion leaves Hangtown facing a significant deficit in the championship standings. A heartbreaking mechanical issue in the closing stages of moto one dropped Prado from fourth position to 36th, dramatically altering the course of his weekend. That result also left him with a poor gate selection for race two, where he charged to 13th place after starting deep in the pack. While there is still a long way to go, Prado now finds himself 41 points behind series leader Hunter Lawrence after only two rounds. It’s a difficult setback to absorb, particularly given the strength of the Lawrence brothers.

7. European presence arrives at Thunder Valley:
Adding further intrigue to Thunder Valley this weekend will be the arrival of MXGP championship leaders Lucas Coenen and Sacha Coenen, with the highly-rated Belgian twins set to make their Pro Motocross debut in Colorado. In many ways, the appearance serves as a glimpse into what the future could hold, as the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders continue to signal their long-term ambitions in the United States. The international flavor doesn’t stop there, either. Reigning WMX world champion Lotte van Drunen is also set to compete, setting up a fascinating showdown between some of the best female motocross talent from Europe and the United States. Between the championship battles, international debuts, and added WMX storyline, Thunder Valley is shaping up to be an entertaining round of racing.

6. The trouble intensifies at Monster Energy Kawasaki:
No, this isn’t a throwback to this time last year – it’s fresh, and arguably just as concerning. Trouble continues to brew beneath the green tent between Chase Sexton and the factory Kawasaki team, with Sexton seemingly still struggling to come to grips with his KX450SR despite a host of changes being made to the package throughout the season. It appears patience may be wearing thin on both sides, a situation only amplified by the fact that Garrett Marchbanks has been thriving on similar equipment, highlighted by his fifth overall finish at Hangtown. The question now circulating throughout the paddock is simple – where do Sexton and Kawasaki go from here? At this stage, nobody seems to have a clear answer, leaving uncertainty surrounding the remainder of the summer and what lies beyond.

Image: Octopi Media.

5. Davies emerges in second 250MX moto at round two:
Cole Davies’ second moto performance at Hangtown is one worth paying close attention to, as it could prove a turning point in his 250MX title campaign. The New Zealander pulled away to a commanding 9.3-second victory over Levi Kitchen and recorded a lap-time nearly two seconds quicker than anyone else in the field, highlighting a growing level of comfort and confidence. Davies possesses all the ingredients required of a championship contender – elite talent, a proven championship-winning pedigree, and the backing of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing. If Hangtown is any indication, he’s beginning to put those pieces together, and that’s a prospect the rest of the 250MX field should take seriously.

4. Haiden Deegan’s 450MX form so far:
Separate the noise from the results, and Haiden Deegan has been highly impressive through the opening two rounds of his 450MX career. He qualified second at Hangtown – after topping the opening qualifying session – before racing to a pair of third-place finishes and running in the front trio of moto one. Moto two may have been even more encouraging, with Deegan charging from outside the top five to finish third, carving his way through a stacked field of established premier-class contenders. From a performance standpoint, it was another strong step forward. The perception, however, depends on which lens you view it through. With the expectations and rhetoric surrounding Deegan, anything less than challenging the Lawrence brothers can be framed as a disappointment. Without that noise, though, the reality is that he has delivered an excellent start to life in 450MX, establishing a strong platform to build upon as the championship progresses.

3. Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki fires first in 250MX:
Seth Hammaker and Levi Kitchen have been the first to fire in 250MX, leading Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki to an overall sweep of the opening two Pro Motocross rounds. It’s so far so good, although it feels like a solid Thunder Valley and High Point showing is necessary for both of them to cement this form, and not let the likes of Davies, as well as Honda HRC Progressive duo Chance Hymas and Jo Shimoda creep into the frame. Levi’s starts haven’t been ideal, with Colorado’s uphill start straight, as well as the altitude, maybe providing added difficulty for the number 47. Hammaker was lucky to emerge from the first turn crash at Hangtown unscathed, although instances like that are sure to be avoided if a 250MX title is the target.

Image: Octopi Media.

2. Thunder Valley response needed for Hunter Lawrence:
A convincing 1-1 performance at Fox Raceway had Hunter Lawrence looking every bit like the early favorite for the 2026 450MX title. That perception was only strengthened by the momentum he carried from a Supercross championship fight that went down to the wire in Salt Lake City, coupled with brother Jett Lawrence continuing to manage the effects of his ankle and foot injury. Through one round, it appeared Hunter held a clear advantage in terms of preparation and race fitness. That outlook shifted considerably at Hangtown, however, where Jett responded with a commanding 1-1 performance to immediately re-establish himself as a major force in the championship battle. And though Hunter is still six points clear atop the standings, he’s going to need to bring a halt to Jett’s momentum before the number one runs away with another championship.

1. Jett Lawrence breezes to Hangtown double:
What more can be said about Jett Lawrence’s Hangtown performance other than it being another complete masterclass? The turnaround from Fox Raceway was remarkable, and just when it appeared fatigue or soreness may be beginning to play a role in moto two, he responded with a series of blistering lap times to build a three-second advantage over Hunter in the space of only a few laps. It was vintage Jett Lawrence. Throughout the weekend, there was a lingering sense that he still had speed in reserve whenever it was required, making it difficult to gauge exactly where his true limit lies – which is the story of his career. The word ‘alien’ was used frequently around the paddock, and it’s hard to argue against that description when watching him operate at his best. The question remains how his foot will hold up as the series progresses, particularly through Thunder Valley and beyond. If Hangtown is any indication, however, the rest of the field could be facing another long summer trying to match the defending champion.