The opening round of the 2026 Pro Motocross Championship at Fox Raceway saw the new outdoor season commence in style, with MotoOnline answering some of the primary questions that emerged from an intriguing day of competition in this edition of Q&A.

Image: Octopi Media.

Q: What was the condition of Jett Lawrence’s injury and how did his return unfold?

A: This was the primary question entering Fox Raceway, and the full picture didn’t emerge until the day was complete. Jett was 14th in the opening qualifying session before improving to third in Q2, while 4-3 moto finishes suggested he is still working his way back toward peak form after injury. Visually, Lawrence appeared to be compensating at times to manage discomfort, although the encouraging sign was that he looked strongest in moto two, finishing just shy of overtaking Jorge Prado for second position. Given the circumstances, third overall was a strong result for the defending champion. After spending more than five months on the sidelines, there is still work to do, but Fox Raceway provided a solid foundation to build from. If there’s one rider capable of steadily working his way back into title-winning form over the course of the summer, it’s Jett Lawrence.

Q: Did Haiden Deegan’s 450MX debut live up to the hype?

A: Yes and no. The thing is, if Deegan didn’t come with the theatrics – which included sporting ‘RIP Jett’ on his shirt leading into the weekend – then a 5-4 finish for fifth overall is fantastic for a debut. The class is full of heavy hitters and former champions, and if you can run with the top talent and put it in the top five, then again, that’s a great outcome for round one. But we come back to the talk, which in turn dials the expectations up to a premium, and somehow, fifth overall seems a little off the mark perhaps? What’ll be intriguing is how the rest of the season unfolds for the double 250MX champion, and whether he can reach the lofty expectations set for himself.

Image: Octopi Media.

Q: What can we take from the 250MX overall results sheet?

A: This was exactly what we wanted to see from the 250MX category, with the parity in the class on full display at Fox Raceway. Caden Dudney went 6-4 for second overall, Cole Davies was third with a 3-8 scorecard, and Levi Kitchen finished fourth after posting 1-13 results. Julien Beaumer rounded out the top five with an 11-2 tally, while Ryder DiFrancesco claimed 10th overall courtesy of 19-3 finishes. Amidst the chaos, Seth Hammaker was the model of consistency, combining 2-1 moto scores to secure the overall victory and an early 13-point championship lead. If round one is any indication, the ingredients are there for a highly entertaining summer, with starts at a premium and little separating the front-runners. The depth of the field makes it difficult to envision any one rider ripping through the top 20 with ease, which should continue to deliver unpredictable results throughout the season.

Q: Should we have expected Hunter Lawrence to finish 1-1?

A: Much of the pre-season attention centered on the anticipated showdown between Jett and Deegan, but perhaps not enough was made of what Hunter Lawrence was capable of achieving outdoors. Had Hunter captured the 450SX title, a post-championship hangover may have been understandable. Instead, narrowly missing out appears to have only added fuel to the fire, with a 450MX title now serving as the perfect opportunity for redemption. More impressive than the 1-1 result itself was the manner in which it was achieved. Lawrence looked largely untouchable at Fox Raceway, with the sense that there was still more in reserve if required. Based on round one, Hunter has firmly established himself as a genuine contender for a maiden premier-class championship in 2026.

Image: Octopi Media.

Q: Can Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki snap their title drought this summer?

A: It finally appears that it can be done. Between Hammaker and Kitchen, the Mitch Payton-led Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team looks to have a genuine shot at securing its first 250MX title since Adam Cianciarulo’s in 2019. The challenge will be keeping riders such as Davies, Jo Shimoda, and Chance Hymas at bay, with both possessing the speed and talent to emerge as the benchmark of the division. For now, however, the answer is yes – Pro Circuit appears to have legitimate title contenders in the mix for this year’s 250MX championship – finally!

Q: How do we compare this year’s Jorge Prado to the 2025 version?

A: Prado continued the momentum he built throughout the 2026 Supercross season, with the four-time world champion delivering a convincing 2-2 performance at Fox Raceway. On the day, only a flawless Hunter Lawrence proved superior. The result further reinforces Prado’s growing comfort aboard the Red Bull KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION and confirms what many expected prior to last year’s difficult outdoor campaign – that he is a genuine contender in American motocross. Whether Prado can sustain that level across an 11-round title fight remains to be seen, but the case for him being a championship threat is significantly stronger than it was this time 12 months ago.

Q: Was Chase Sexton’s Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Motocross debut satisfactory?

A: This is another yes-and-no answer. While it certainly could have gone better, simply getting points on the board was a positive for Sexton, especially considering how last year’s opener unfolded. The downside was that a pair of unforced errors across the two motos limited the overall result, with 7-5 finishes leaving the Monster Energy Kawasaki rider sixth overall. It’s an interesting position for Sexton, as there currently appears to be a group of riders holding the upper hand despite him being the 450MX champion from 2024. There is still work to be done for both Sexton and Kawasaki if they are to close the gap to the front and eliminate those costly mistakes. Hangtown could prove an ideal place to start, however, given his strong previous showing at the Northern Californian venue.