Round 10 of the 2026 Pro Motocross Championship delivered unpredictable conditions at Budds Creek, with mixed weather setting the scene for another pivotal day in the 450MX and 250MX title races. Hear more from the leading riders of each division in this Reaction feature.

450MX

Image: Octopi Media.

P1 | Hunter Lawrence (Honda HRC Progressive):
I made a lot of points back this weekend, a lot more than what people would’ve thought – myself included! It does make it a little easier on myself for next weekend, but it doesn’t change things, really. I keep putting my head down, focusing on myself. Maybe this is what I needed, who knows? I have great memories from Ironman last year, so hopefully we can go back and make some more great memories – I’m going to give it my all. I’ve proven today that the mental side of things is not really an issue, with being able to bounce back and stuff. Whatever the result will be, it’ll be. Hopefully I can come out on top.”

P2 | Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing):
My riding was pretty good today and a podium is always nice. I need to get better at dealing with traffic in those last 10 minutes, so we’ll work on that, and it will help a lot with my results. Hopefully we can get a moto win or an overall at Ironman – I like that track and am feeling really good on the bike.

P3 | Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing):
It was good. I’d say the second moto was a little rough, but I qualified P1, and in the first moto I finished second. I was right on the leader the whole race, so that’s a positive. In moto two, I got off to a decent start and kind of got pinched off a little, and then got stuck in the pace of around the fifth-place guy. It kind of messed up my flow, but it’s another podium finish. Obviously I want that moto win, and we were close in that first race. I’ve got one more outdoor to swing at it, and then it’s onto SMX. So I’ve got a lot of racing still to go before the season’s over, and a lot more chances to go out there and show some more speed.

P4 | Jett Lawrence (Honda HRC Progressive):
Obviously, the starts were my biggest thing this weekend. The first one, I had a great jump, but I was so over to the inside that you almost face off the track. They kind of angle the gates weird, and I got off balance on the left – I went off track, lost positions and went down on the first lap as well, but was able to come back to fifth. I knew I had the speed to get back there, and I was just thinking, ‘I’m just going to take my time, not try and risk it.’ Once everyone gets settled, then I try to click off passes. On this track, if you’re not up with the top guys, you lose distance so fast. But I was happy to get back to fifth, after being outside the top 20 – I was able to salvage some points. In the second one, I started behind again, but I was able to come through and get second on the last lap, which is important. It’s shaping up to be a pretty fun last weekend – one point down from Hunter, so I’m looking forward to it.

P5 | Mikkel Harrup (5.11 Triumph Factory Racing):
The day was great! It was solid from timed qualification. I had a decent start in moto one and rode a solid moto. I went for more in the second moto and had more intensity to start with. We also made some positive changes to the bike. I got my first top five, so I’m really happy and want to thank everyone involved with this program.

P6 | Cooper Webb (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing):
It was a crazy day. We had all kinds of weather. We had rain, like, tropical rain, and a mudder for practice. Then it got hot and humid, but the track was crazy. It was a good day for me, though. I went 6-9 for sixth overall. So, I tied my best again. I got a bad start in the second one, which I feel held me back, but I rode really well, though. I’m really happy with today. I feel like I made a good step and was a little closer to that group ahead of me, so I’m happy with that. It was awesome to race here at Budds Creek one last time. This is the track I grew up coming to as a fan and was climbing these fences as a little guy. So, it’s a special place, and a great day. Let’s enjoy our last outdoor round next weekend.

P7 | Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing):
Budds Creek went pretty good, I’d say! It was a lot better than my last few weeks at the track – practice was alright, then it started raining, and I got excited, but it stopped just in time for the track to kind of dry out a little bit before Moto 1. We got 10th in that one, which was decent given I am racing myself back into form, and then the second one I got a really good start, before being shuffled back early. From there, I battled around seventh and stayed there the whole moto to earn seventh overall. This is solid, it’s good momentum, and we’ll take the positives into Ironman!

P8 | Justin Barcia (Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati):
Budds Creek, gave it my all. The second moto was going pretty good. Got a good start around P3 and was charging hard. Haiden was on my tail pretty much the whole moto. I was trying to find that limit and found the ground. So overall, we ended up eighth overall. We had a lot of positives today, but we want more. We got one more. Bring on Ironman, we’re going to give it our all.

250MX

Image: Octopi Media.

P1 | Chance Hymas (Honda HRC Progressive):
I feel like I got a flash of just everything from January, honestly – going through the rehab with my shoulder, the amount of pain I was in, and really questioning if I was still meant for this. Then I started feeling pretty good getting back to it, but got my teeth kicked in at the first four nationals, and my confidence was really low. I stuck with it, got back to figuring out some things that worked good for me in the past and tried to implement some things from that. Seeing how I’ve adapted to all those hard times, and now having consistent podiums and finally getting an overall win, it’s been a long time coming, for sure. It’s a reward for the work we’ve been putting in, and it’s really special. I’m thankful for the group of people around me. I really noticed things started to click on my practice days, when I was doing fast times and feeling like my old self again. Having the good last four rounds I’ve been having, being on the box and now having an overall win, it’s definitely been a buildup. I’m already looking forward to next weekend and ending it strong. I really want third in points –that’s my goal right now – and obviously, I’d still love to win out.

P2 | Cole Davies (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing):
It was a really good day. We got the points lead back for the last round, but it’s not over until it’s over. I’ve got to get two good starts next weekend. I reckon I can, and hopefully we’ll come out on top. So yeah, it was a good weekend at Budds Creek, but eyes are on next weekend.

P3 | Landen Gordon (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing):
“I’ve been feeling it all morning. Qualifying was good, and I was just getting off to a good start and not being in a mess in the first turn. I’m stoked with the way I executed that moto. First podium checked off – I finally put together a good day, I got off the gate well all day, and qualifying was good. I was grooving with the track, but I think I’m also just starting to get comfortable with the racing. I finally brought my practice speed to the race, so I’m stoked, and I’m glad to be progressing as this year ends.

P4 | Julien Beaumer (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing):
P4 at Budds Creek. I struggled a little bit in moto one, but rode more like myself in moto two. I had to fight from around 15th to fourth in that second moto, so happy with the progress, and we will keep building. Let’s finish this thing off strong at Ironman!

P5 | Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki):
Today was definitely a tough one. The conditions were changing all day, and there was a lot going on, so I just tried to stay focused and make the most of every moto. Fifth overall obviously isn’t where I want to be, but we’re still right there in the championship. We’ll regroup this week and come back ready to fight next weekend.

P6 | Kayden Minear (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing):
Budds Creek is done and dusted. In the first moto, there were a lot of positives. I put myself in a good position off the start and found a flow. In the second moto, I spun off the gate and struggled to find a rhythm. Overall, there were a lot of positives to take away from the weekend and a great turnaround after struggling the last few rounds!

P7 | Lux Turner (Toyota Redlands BarX Yamaha):
Budds Creek – P7 overall. Had some fun on my dirt bike, thank you to my awesome team and family in my corner!

P8 | Caden Dudney (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing):
I felt decent, but I definitely have more in the tank. I had another eighth overall, so it’s good to finally see some consistency. I’m feeling good about Ironman already!