The 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship playoffs took off in Columbus, where weather-affected conditions provided a challenging opening test as the first of three post-season races unfolded. 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):
Today was really good. The rain came in, so they canceled qualifying this morning. We went off the seeded positions, and due to not racing Supercross on a 450, I had the sixth gate pick. I got two amazing starts today, and just had to fight in a mud race. I can’t even express how happy I am right now. It’s such a weight off my shoulders. You dream of moments like this, and I’m so grateful to get it done.

P2 | Ken Roczen (Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Ecstar Suzuki):
We had an absolutely great day. We made the most of it. We didn’t have any qualifying today, so we actually went cold turkey straight into racing, which is kind of gnarly. I think none of us riders had a whole lot of Supercross time [recently], so it definitely took some time getting used [to the obstacles], and then just getting thrown into a big mud race wasn’t easy. But hey, we made our way to second place. I even tipped over in the second race today, but we kept it on two wheels after that. 2-2 for second overall, I couldn’t have asked for any more. I had an absolute blast with the team, it was so good to have Larry back as well, and I can’t wait for next weekend.

P3 | Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing):
I mean, I really don’t know what to say! Like I said after moto one, my worst races came in the mud this year, and now I finish up here on the box, which is amazing for me. It’s a big improvement, so I am super-happy, and proud of my progress, and the work from the whole team – if you look back a year ago to where I am now, it’s a huge difference. Now we are leading the SMX series and I can’t be more happy than this.

P4 | Cooper Webb (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing):
The first SMX playoff was crazy. It was beautiful yesterday, sunny and with an awesome track, then it dumped and rained all day, and it was an absolute mudder. So, it was a crazy day. The first one for me didn’t go that great. I just kind of missed the mark on some things and didn’t ride great in the moto, but it was a great rebound for the second one. I got a much better start and rode really well. I had a good battle with (Jorge) Prado and ended up on the podium that moto for fourth overall. So I’m happy with a solid day. And in the mud, you never know what can happen, so I’m happy we salvaged it. Hopefully, we can keep this momentum rolling and have a good series here. We’ll get back to Florida this week and keep working.

P5 | Joey Savatgy (Quad Lock Honda):
Survived Columbus. Two falls in moto one, but rebounded in moto two – 8-5 in the motos for P5 overall. Feels good to be back at the races.

P6 | Dylan Ferrandis (Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati):
Crazy day, for sure. Felt good all weekend, track was dry on a Friday and felt awesome on the bike. Saturday the same in the mud, but it was very challenging, obviously, no practice going straight to the motos. First moto was perfect, a good start, good pace, finish fourth, and moto two I got a good jump, went into the first turn and got a big splash and I couldn’t see anything. So I lost my good start, and couldn’t see anything. So after that, I was just trying to survive and ended up coming back up for P9. So overall it was challenging but we survived, and it ended up a good day.

P7 | Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing):
feel like Columbus was a pretty big missed opportunity for me, since we had lots of rain and lots of mud, which is usually my cup of tea. We got off to a really good start in moto one, but then Jorge [Prado] slid and kind of jumped into my wheel, but no blame on him – it was a racing incident. I ended up going down, and then it was a struggle from that point on, getting up to ninth and then going down again. Moto two, I got off to a horrible start and went to the inside of turn one, which worked out, and then ended up battling Joey [Savatgy] for fifth pretty much the whole time. I just feel like I should’ve been better all around – there were a lot of moments that I should’ve capitalized on. We’ll focus on Los Angeles now and look for a stronger round.

P8 | Shane McElrath (Liqui Moly Beta Factory Racing):
Really good day overall considering the conditions and my first race on the Beta! So pumped on this team and how everyone worked through the conditions yesterday. The bike was awesome, we scored some good points and got the wildcard win – pretty dang good way to start. Let’s keep going.

250SMX

Image: Octopi Media.

P1 | Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki):
With everything that’s happened over the last few weeks and then the weather today, it was a challenging start to the day, but once we got racing, something just clicked. I fought hard in both motos and was able to put together two solid rides. I needed this one. It’s been a while since I’ve had a day like this, and to leave here with the win and the points lead feels really good. I’m proud of the fight today, and hopefully we can carry this momentum into next weekend.

P2 | Daxton Bennick (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna):
Man, I’ve got to be happy with today. We had two solid motos, and yeah, I had it [the overall] with two laps to go, but Levi [Kitchen] was riding good. But wow, what a start to this thing, and a big thank you to the whole Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team for supporting me and believing in me. It was a good day!

P3 | Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna):
Consistency is crucial on a day like today. We got off to a decent start in moto two, and I just rode my laps. I want to win one of these things, but last year these guys were super-consistent, and that’s my goal for this year so we can show up at Missouri and have a shot at [the title].

P4 | Max Vohland (ClubMX Yamaha):
Columbus 4-6 for fourth overall. I had some fun playing around in the mud, got some decent starts and just kept her on two wheels – that’s about it. Ddefinitely hard coming back from injury but I felt like the conditions played into my favor so I’m grateful for that now we gotta go do it in the dry this weekend.

P5 | Cameron McAdoo (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki):
I’m pretty stoked on my day overall in Ohio at the first round of the playoffs. I always enjoy a good mudder, especially when I can keep it on two wheels all day. Fifth overall on the day, and I’m looking forward to hopefully getting a dry race in Los Angeles next weekend!

P6 | Caden Dudney (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing):
It was a weird day, but I feel like I made the best of it. The first moto, I was up there in third and then went down on the last lap because I was trying to be cautious and just stay in third, but it ended up being worse. Then in the second moto, I was up there on the start as well, and then Levi Kitchen kind of hit my front tire, and I couldn’t see. I tucked the front and was dead last, but made it up to eighth and ended up sixth overall, so it was still a solid day.

P7 | Chance Hymas (Honda HRC Progressive):
The first playoff of the year wasn’t ideal with the mud, but I came out with a decent result. I’m looking forward to the next couple rounds, with next weekend paying double points.

P8 | Landen Gordon (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing):
It was a mediocre day in Columbus. I had a bunch of mistakes in the mud, but overall, I’m glad to come out with a few points. We’re ready for the home race next weekend!