A lot has unfolded over the past 12 months for Landen Gordon, with a successful SMX Next campaign last season sparking the interest of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing for 2026. And already, in his second 250SX start, the teenager has stood on the Supercross podium at a professional level. Profiled takes a look at these latest developments in his young career.

The 19-year-old Californian continues to feature as one of the sport’s most in-demand prospects, having been embedded within the Kawasaki Team Green amateur program since 2021. Progressing through the Supermini ranks and into the big bike division with the manufacturer, he carried that momentum into a breakout SMX Next campaign one year ago.

That tally included two Supercross victories at Glendale and Daytona, along with additional podium finishes at Foxborough and Pittsburgh, while he also captured the RedBud round of the Scouting Moto Combine via a 4-1 moto scorecard – underlining his ability across both disciplines.

From Kawasaki’s perspective, it was an ideal scenario, with the manufacturer holding onto a young rider viewed as capable of assisting a return to championship prominence for the Mitch Payton-led 250 program, and potentially the Monster Energy Kawasaki premier class effort in the longer term.

Image: Octopi Media.

However, that trajectory shifted when powerhouse outfit Star Racing Yamaha – under the leadership of Wil Hahn as the 250 team’s general manager – entered the picture, with Gordon ultimately making the move for 2026.

Since then, a familiar try-out phase, which is something team owner Bobby Regan has become known for, eventuated within SMX Next this season, with Gordon lining up alongside fellow team riders Caden Dudney and Kayden Minear. The trio notably locked out the podium at Anaheim 2, led by Minear.

Houston was then won by Dudney, earning him a professional debut at the 250SX East opener in Arlington. Gordon, meanwhile, finished second in the SMX Next main event at Daytona, before stepping into his own pro debut at Nashville. There, sixth in qualifying and a third-place heat result were undone by damaged spokes in turn one of the main event.

A week later in Cleveland is where he truly delivered, posting a 4-2-2 scorecard across the Triple Crown format to secure second overall – his first podium in just his second professional appearance. It was a result that validated the move to Star Racing, while also reinforcing the value of the experience gained through the SMX Next program.

Image: Octopi Media.

“Yeah, honestly, I was just enjoying [the moment],” said Gordon following Cleveland. “Rain was coming down still – so yeah, I had to enjoy the moment because it’s been a long road. To just do it this soon… I mean, I believe in myself, and I have the best team behind me. I believe in myself 100 percent.

“It’s just, it’s surreal, though. I’ve been working towards this for a long time, so yeah, I was enjoying it. I showed what I was capable of this weekend [and], I mean, I learned a lot. You know, Triple Crown, second race, my second pro race.

“Honestly, [I will] just keep building and learning. It’s definitely been a tricky first two rounds for me. Definitely a lot thrown at me, but yeah, I mean, just keep learning from these next few rounds – this result is great.”

Gordon since endured a difficult outing in the mud at Philadelphia, where a late-race crash resulted in a P21 finish, although the underlying speed remained evident after qualifying sixth in the dry combined afternoon 250SX sessions.

Image: Octopi Media.

All considered, Gordon shapes as a genuine rising talent to watch, with his alignment alongside Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing providing every opportunity to succeed from an environment, proven structure, and equipment standpoint.

The next phase will be determining how he manages the demands that come with being part of that program, which has historically proven capable of both benefiting and hindering riders. Either way, the potential is clear, with his P2 result in Cleveland’s Triple Crown offering a strong indication of what could follow.