The 2025 Pro Motocross Championship wrapped up with an action-packed weekend at Budds Creek, where Haiden Deegan clinched his second-straight 250MX title in dominant fashion with a 1-1 scorecard to underline his season-long form. In 450MX – with the championship already secured a round early – Jett Lawrence added another overall win to his tally with 1-2 finishes. Hear from both riders in Debrief as they spoke with the media following the race.

450MX

Image: Octopi Media.

Jett, you’ve mentioned before that racing often feels like more work than fun. So did today’s final round feel different for you, being able to let loose a little after securing the overall?

Yeah, I mean, once I was on the start, when I was second behind Hunter [Lawrence], I knew he got third in the first one, so I’m just triedto enjoy that one. I mean, last lap we did a little bit of goon riding and just had some fun. Once I got the holeshot – that was my main goal for the weekend, just to try and get one – from there it was just kind of taking it as it came and enjoying it, because you don’t really get a lot of these. So it was cool just to ride out there. Hunter rode really well in the second one as well, so it was fun to cruise.

Heading into SMX, you’ve got the chance to make it three titles in a row there. Has it become more important for you to win these championships, rather than individual races?

Yeah, I think so. We get paid to win championship, you know? Obviously, it’s great to get race wins and stuff, it helps out in winning the championship, but I’m always focused on trying to stay focused on taking it race by race to give myself the best chance of having a shot at it. I try to win as much as I can though, if you do that you have a great chance at winning it. We’ll see how it goes, we have Chase [Sexton] coming back, Eli [Tomac], Hunter as well – we tied on points last year, so they’re all going to be good. I’m going to have to bring my A game and make sure I execute my starts at all three.

This is the first time we’ve seen you and Haiden [Deegan] sitting up here next to each other. People are really hyping up this rivalry between the two of you, so what are your thoughts on racing together next summer?

Yeah, I’m looking forward to it. I’m always up for new challenges. I feel like when I get challenged – when someone comes in that’s really good – I actually ride better. It creates new motivation for me, you know, because obviously no one wants to lose in this sport. Whenever I do lose, I get pretty pissed, and it makes me want to come back, work harder, and make sure I have a strong rebound at the next race. So I’m looking forward to it. Obviously, the fans want to create a rivalry – we’re the closest in age out of the other competitors – so I think people are trying to build it up like the [Ricky Carmichael] and James Stewart kind of thing, which is cool. The sport needs a rivalry, and I think it’ll be good for everyone.

250MX

Image: Octopi Media.

Haiden, our 250 overall winner today. Congratulations on going back-to-back. Did you ever feel more pressure this year defending the title than chasing it the first time?

No, it was good. I don’t know, I just felt good all season, and that’s how it went. Yeah, got the championship.

Do you feel like your drive to win is more about proving people wrong, proving yourself right, or simply chasing that feeling of victory?

Nah, I feel like early in my career it was about proving people wrong. But now I’m at a point where it’s just about doing it for myself, doing it for my team and my family. Work hard, because I’m sure it’s only going to get a little bit gnarlier moving up to the 450 class. So I’ve just got to lock in and keep working hard.

This is the first time we’ve seen you and Jett [Lawrence] sitting up here next to each other. People are really hyping up this rivalry between the two of you, so what are your thoughts on racing together next summer?

Yeah, I’m excited. I’ve got a little work to do – obviously those guys are pretty solid in the 450 class. All I can do is work hard and hopefully, eventually, be up there running with the boys. But as of now, I know I’ve got a lot of work to do, whether that’s a lot or just going out there and putting my days in. We’ll get there.

So, if anyone’s been online this summer, they’ve seen debate between people saying you’ve grown up a little, starting to mature, and others saying you’re not going to change at all through your career. How do you feel about that, and what do you want to say to people about how your personality has developed since the summer started?

I don’t know. I feel like I can switch it on whenever. When I need to chirp someone, I do it, and if I don’t, then I don’t need to. When I need it, I pull it out. When I don’t – when I feel confident and I’m racing smart – you get humble Deegs. But when it’s a battle, you get un-humble Deegs.

Last year you won a big title for the first time, and the year before that you won SMX. Was there any point this year where it was getting harder to find motivation, to stay focused, or where distractions came in? Did you ever feel like you had to find something extra to keep yourself going?

Yeah, I feel like at the beginning of my career I really leaned on what people were saying as my motivation. But now I feel like I’ve matured past that – it just doesn’t really bother me anymore, and I can’t use it as motivation. Now I just look to the 450 class as my motivation. On those days when I’m out there suffering at the track, my trainer or my team will tell me, “Hey, you want to win in the 450 class? It doesn’t matter if you’re in pain today.” I’ve learned that, and I think that’s really what it comes down to now – just working hard and getting to that level.

Has it actually set in that your 250MX Pro Motocross career is done? You put a stamp on it – has it set in that you’re never going to ride the little bike outdoors in America again?

Yeah, I know. It came quick. It’s kind of wild that, besides MXoN, that was really the last outdoor race ever on a 250. It’s definitely a little weird, just because I feel like I was only just starting my 250 career. It went really fast. But when you’re good, that’s what happens – and when you work hard, that’s what happens. So yeah, we’re ready for the next step.