The 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship reached its conclusion at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, where the final titles were decided in a dramatic end to the post-season. Hear more from the leading riders of each division in this Reaction feature.

450SMX

Image: Octopi Media.

P1 | Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing):
I qualified first and got the dub in the first moto, and put myself in a really good position to contend for this championship. I had a pretty good second race as well and ended up getting the overall, but lost the championship. I still made some good money in this SMX series, so I’m still stoked on that. Now it’s offseason time. So we’re going to go recover, and then get back to work and come out swinging at Supercross.

P2 | Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing):
One year ago I wasn’t even racing in the SMX post-season, but the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team did an awesome job preparing me all winter long, every single week, and I also prepared myself the best I could to bounce back. That’s what champions do, right? They bounce back, so [I’m] super-happy about this title – it’s my first championship here in the States. I’m a four-time world champion for a reason, and I think I showed that in this last moto where it mattered the most!

P3 | Hunter Lawrence (Honda HRC Progressive):
Thirty-one races—man, what a long year! It’s been amazing, and I have a great team to go racing with. I’ve got a lot of things going on in my life right now, and I’m blessed to be walking away in one piece. I’m going to have a great day tomorrow and get ready for the 2027 season. I can’t wait!

P5 | Cooper Webb (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing):
31 races complete! It was a wild SMX series and a fast night of racing tonight. I ended up going 4-4 for fifth overall, and fifth in the series. I rode really well tonight, even though the results were about the same. I was happy with how it went, with how fast and how motocross the track was! It was nice being a contender again for SMX, as well. This was my last race with Yamaha, which was bittersweet. This team gave me a shot as a 15- year-old kid and then again as a 450 champion, and I was able to deliver them championships on both occasions. I’m proud of what we accomplished. That’s a wrap for us – now it’s time for MXON.

P6 | RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna):
We’ve had a lot of good times with this team over the years – they’ve been like family to me. This weekend was an awesome way to finish the playoffs, a real SMX track, and it was a consistent night of results on my end. Thank you to everybody who has been behind us at Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, there are a lot of memories we have made together as a team, and I’m thankful for the years together.

P7 | Garrett Marchbanks (Monster Energy Kawasaki):
The day was solid. I qualified ninth overall. I knew it was going to be a hard last round. The last round has been tough for me the last couple of years when I raced these. I’m fighting some injuries right now and came into the week feeling under the weather. I told myself, give it all you have, and we’ll see how it pans out. I went 10-7 for seventh overall, and sixth in the championship. It has been a really good year for me, especially the second half after supercross. We really figured some things out during supercross and were able to turn it around outdoors and stay consistent. I haven’t always been great in these playoffs, so I was really happy with the progress we made this year and the progress today. I’m super proud of the team – they did an amazing job, and I really appreciate everything they do to put me in the best position possible.

P8 | Jordon Smith (5.11 Triumph Racing Factory Team):
What a day in Branson! This venue was awesome. I had two good starts, then rode pretty well. We made some positive changes before moto two and I was running there with the top guys. A small tip over in the sand cost me, but we’ll keep pushing. I am very, very proud of this entire team.

250SMX

Image: Octopi Media.

P1 | Cole Davies (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing):
It was a good way to wrap up the last race of the season. I went 1-1 today, so it was a really good day. The first two races of the three-race series didn’t go great, and I wasn’t able to capitalize and win the championship. But I’m still happy. It was a good season, winning two championships. We’ll just lock in and have a good off-season and a good season next year. I’m excited for it.

P2 | Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki):
I’m a little speechless. It’s been a tough journey, and I’ve been close a few times, so to finally get it done means a lot. I got a great start and just trusted my instincts from there. When the rain started coming down, I told myself to embrace it, have fun and be smart. That’s what I did. I stayed aware of where everyone was, rode my race and brought it home. I can’t thank everyone enough who has stuck with me and supported me along the way. It’s been a journey for sure, and I couldn’t be more stoked, it means a lot.

P3 | Landen Gordon (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing):
What a venue. This is probably one of the coolest venues I’ve been to. It was just a good vibe all day. Qualifying was good, and race one was good, even though I faded a little bit. I think I was running third most of the moto, went back to sixth, and then the rain came down for moto two. I’m known to get podiums when it starts raining, so I pulled off third in the second moto. That was good enough for third overall on the day, and fifth overall in the championship. I’m stoked. Let’s go have a good off-season, and then get back to it.

P4 | Nate Thrasher (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing):
It was a pretty solid day. Qualifying wasn’t too good, but I went in there for the motos and ended up getting a pretty good gate. I executed the start and was in second for a while in the first moto. Then a little mistake on my part, and I ended up seventh. I got run a little high, but I shouldn’t have let that happen. I ended up seventh, and I should’ve been third. In the next moto, I got an okay start, then made the pass for fifth and then to fourth in the last couple of laps, so it was solid. There are still a lot of things we can improve on, but I’m super excited for next year and happy to end the season strong. We’ll get to work here shortly, and thanks to the team and everybody here who has helped me throughout the years.

P5 | Pierce Brown (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing):
It was a decent day for me, finishing fifth at the finale. Coming back this summer after an injury was difficult, but we worked through the lack of prep, and I’m happy to end the season the way I did. Thanks to the team for the opportunity. I’m excited to get back to work for 2027.

P6 | Julien Beaumer (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing):
It was a tough day. It began really well with qualifying P1, and then I started around fourth or fifth in moto one and stayed there the whole race. I got a terrible start in moto two and was down in the first corner, but I rode really well from there – it was just a tough track to pass on. Overall, I’m proud of our efforts, and now we’ll fly back to California and get ready for the Motocross of Nations!

P7 | Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna):
The title] was at my fingertips there, but I didn’t execute the start very well. I left it all out there and I am satisfied with how this championship went – I felt like I rode really well and gave myself a title shot. I went from barely making top-fives to eight podiums this year, so there’s a lot to be happy about. Thanks to everybody who helped to make it happen this season!

P8 | Daxton Bennick (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna):
We have had a lot of positives this year. Tonight didn’t go to plan, but we did improve in the second moto and it was a solid end to the season. I’m grateful for the opportunity and everybody around me.