Eli Tomac Injury Update Following Fox Raceway

by SlawMay 31, 2026, 8:33 am

Red Bull KTM’s Eli Tomac has been cleared of any broken bones following a first moto crash at the Pro Motocross season opener at Fox Raceway, per the team.

On the opening lap of the 2026 Pro Motocross Championship on Saturday, Tomac and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Garrett Marchbanks‘ lines met and both were involved in a hard crash that sidelined Tomac for the remainder of the afternoon.

Following the race, the Red Bull KTM team issued a statement saying that “scans on-site have cleared Eli of any broken bones and he will now undergo further evaluation during the week.”

While Marchbanks was able to get up and finish the moto and compete in the second 450 moto, Tomac was put onto a stretcher—with a neck brace on—and he was taken off the track on an Alpinestars medical cart. NBC trackside reporter Will Christien reported that Tomac was dealing with a neck strain.

Tomac, a four-time 450 Pro Motocross Champion, was making his Pro Motocross debut with the team after moving to the Austrian brand last off-season.

We will post an update once more is known.

Prado On Pala Performance

“This is what I expected. Obviously, it’s never easy when, you know, last year I finished here over a minute 40 from these guys, and this year we were battling. So, you know, mentally and everything, you kind of need to get back to that race mode. So, happy with my performance.”

Garrett Marchbanks on his collision with Eli Tomac

Marchbanks said: “I mean the day was going really well. I was qualified P5, super pumped with that. When the first moto had a really good start, I think I was around 6th, 7th place around there.

“Yeah, Eli passed me and, you know, for me I feel like I was riding super good. So I wanted to make the pass back and, you know, start making moves towards that front group and, I don’t know, I didn’t expect him to hit that turn that fast. I tried to rip the outside. I think, you know, people could say it’s my fault, it’s his fault. It was just a racing accident.

“Maybe I just didn’t anticipate it that way. I don’t know. I didn’t mean to hit him. I was just an accident, so I hope he’s alright. Definitely a bummer.”

Pro Motocross 2026 - Fox Raceway National

Herlings DNF...Coenen Tops Germany

Red Bull KTM factory rider, Lucas Coenen has taken a huge stand in the MXGP championship race, with the Belgian teenager scoring the race win, but also gaining a large points advantage over Jeffrey Herlings, who DNFed the opening race, in what looked like a technical issue. Going into the race, the points gap was three points, but now it’s 28 points.

Monster Energy Yamaha rider Tim Gajser finished second, having ridden in that position for nearly the complete moto, and third was HRC factory rider, Ruben Fernandez. Championship points are now Lucas Coenen 319 points, Jeffrey Herlings 291pts, Tim Gajser 254pts, Romain Febvre 245pts and Maxime Renaux 236pts.

Lucas Coenen: I mean, the track is so tricky, like Enduro and you cannot push. I haven’t raced something like this, but I stayed cool and the start was tricky with the mud. We try and do the same start as the first and enjoy it.

MXGP Moto One

Coenen with the holeshot ahead of Fernandez, Gajser, Adamo, Forato, Febvre, Ludwig, Vlaanderen, Jonass, Renaux and Herlings in 15th. Gajser quickly into second place as he passed Fernandez. Herlings quickly into ninth place. Vialle not starting due to his injuries from last week.

Coenen led with Gajser trying to stay with him and then came Fernandez, Adamo, Febvre, Renaux, Jonass, Herlings and de Wolf 10th. Coenen really pushing as he gets away from Gajser and the gap was already two seconds.

Renaux wild as he made a pass on Forato and Herlings doing his best to get past Jonass, but that allowed De Wolf to pass Herlings, who dropped to 10th. The Dutchman 14 seconds of the lead of Coenen. Herlings finally moved past Jonass and into ninth again, but already 16 seconds off Coenen’s lead.

Gajser not allowing Coenen to get too far ahead and Fernandez also not allowing Gajser to get away. Herlings now 19 seconds off the leader. De Wolf off the track, but not losing positions, but time on Forato. Adamo into third place as Fernandez maybe made a mistake.

Adamo then made a mistake and dropped well back as Fernandez wiped the Italian out and causing the former world MX2 champion to lose a lot of positions. That allowed Herlings into 8th place, but 19 seconds off the lead of Coenen.

On lap five it was Coenen, Gajser, Fernandez, Febvre, Renaux, Forato, de Wolf, Herlings, Adamo and Jonass 10th. Coenen the fastest lap of the moto, but his lead still under two seconds over Gajser, with Fernandez 10 seconds off Coenen.

Lap seven the lead by Coenen over Gajser was 2.3 seconds, with Fernandez 12.4 back, then Febvre, Renaux, Forato, de Wolf, Herlings, Adamo and Jonass. Adamo passed Herlings, who is really struggling today and actually the Dutchman dropped down the results.

Herlings out of the race and the championship in favour of Coenen in a huge moto for the title race. Top ten on lap eight was Coenen, Gajser, Fernandez, Febvre, Renaux, de Wolf, Forato, Adamo, Jonass and Vlaanderen.

Lap 11 and the lead by Coenen over Gajser was three seconds, with Fernandez 16 seconds back in third, then Febvre, Renaux, de Wolf, Forato, Adamo, Jonass and Vlaanderen. Lap 13 and the gap between Coenen and Gajser was 7.2 seconds, with Febvre all over Fernandez for third place and Renaux onto Febvre as well.

Gajser stalled the bike, but didn’t lose a position, but lost a lot of ground in Coenen. Riding lining up behind Fernandez with de Wolf also closing up on the Spaniard. A freight train of riders looking to pass Fernandez.

Febvre crashed and lost places as Renaux and de Wolf. Top ten on lap 14 was Coenen, Gajser, Fernandez, Renaux, De Wolf, Forato, Jonass, Van Doninck, Van De Moosdijk, Horgmo, Koch, Oliver and Febvre way, way, way back. De Wolf a crash and lost time on Renaux, who he was battling for fourth place. Coenen wins it from Gajser and Fernandez.

Three decades of World Championship stage: Teutschenthal celebrates MXGP anniversary

When the Motocross World Championship returns to the Teutschenthal valley next weekend, it's not just about crucial championship points. The MSC Teutschenthal is also celebrating an extraordinary anniversary: ​​the club is hosting a round of the Solo Motocross World Championship for the 30th time.

This means that Teutschenthal has long been one of the most traditional and important Grand Prix venues in international motocross.

The valley basin has long since become a cult destination.

Over decades, the track south of Halle has become a fixture on the MXGP calendar. Hardly any other German venue combines a modern world championship atmosphere with classic motocross character as strongly as this valley.

In addition, there is the unique setting.

Because as soon as the natural slopes around the track fill with thousands of fans, the atmosphere that Teutschenthal has been known for within the scene for years is created. International riders in particular regularly speak of how special the crowd and the atmosphere in the valley are.

The fact that MSC Teutschenthal can now look back on a total of 32 events with World Championship status — including Motocross of Nations and Sidecar World Championship — shows at the same time the international importance of the location.

From a sporting perspective, the anniversary could hardly be more fitting.

From a sporting perspective, everything seems set for another major event. Almost all the top riders from the current MXGP and MX2 World Championships are expected to be at the starting line. The starting positions, especially in the MXGP class, promise enormous excitement.

Lucas Coenen travels to Germany as the championship leader, but only narrowly ahead of Jeffrey Herlings. The Dutchman is currently in impressive form, having already won three of the season's six Grands Prix. Other big names like Romain Febvre, Tim Gajser, and Tom Vialle are also still in contention for the title.

In the MX2 class, all eyes from a German perspective are primarily on Simon Längenfelder. The reigning world champion travels to his home race as the leader in the championship standings and can therefore expect particularly strong support in the valley.

Especially in Teutschenthal, the atmosphere can quickly become an additional factor.

German motocross is experiencing a rare moment

The attention surrounding Simon Längenfelder is likely to be particularly intense.

With the reigning MX2 World Champion, a German rider will be traveling to his home Grand Prix in Teutschenthal as the championship leader for the first time in a long while. Expectations and support along the track are therefore likely to be correspondingly high.

The weekend is likely to be particularly emotional for Larissa Papenmeier. The star German female driver will contest her 100th Grand Prix in Teutschenthal — a milestone that only a few German female drivers have reached so far.

Teutschenthal remains one of the most important races on the calendar.

That Teutschenthal has been part of the World Championship for three decades now seems anything but a given in modern motocross. Many tracks have disappeared from the calendar in recent years, while new venues have been added. The valley basin, however, has remained a constant for decades.

That is precisely why this year's anniversary has a special significance — not only for MSC Teutschenthal itself, but for German motocross sport as a whole.

The Start Everyone Is Waiting For!

By: Jason Thomas

And just like that, we are entering a brand-new Pro Motocross Championship and continuing on in the overall SMX World Championship. In what might be the most anticipated start to a motocross season ever, the line-up is simply jaw dropping. Name dropping the likes of Jett, Deegs, Hunter, Eli, Prado, Sexton, and the Coop’s, I can’t remember a season more jammed near the top. Then add to that list podium hopefuls like RJ Hampshire, Aaron Plessinger, Dylan Ferrandis, Justin Barcia, and Malcolm Stewart.

The most intriguing part of this campaign is that I truly have no idea what to expect in either class. The clamoring for dominance in the 450 Class leaves a vacancy for who’s to reign in the 250 Class. There will be a new 250 champion crowned in 2026 and many are staking their claim before the first gate even drops. Who’s to say they are right or wrong? With Deegs exiting to the premier division, the iron throne is available. Riders like Shimoda, Hymas, and Davies all won motos in 2025, but can they bring the consistency it will take to stand atop the field come Ironman? That question, as they say, is why we go racing.

This Fox Raceway racetrack is not one for the meek. Traction levels that change from a soft, rutty, muck in the morning to a brutally hard square edged bumps in the afternoon wreak havoc on riders and chassis engineers alike. It’s a track that is difficult to truly trust and most riders spend the afternoon giving it the side eye.

And just like that, we are entering a brand-new Pro Motocross Championship and continuing on in the overall SMX World Championship. In what might be the most anticipated start to a motocross season ever, the line-up is simply jaw dropping. Name dropping the likes of Jett, Deegs, Hunter, Eli, Prado, Sexton, and the Coop’s, I can’t remember a season more jammed near the top. Then add to that list podium hopefuls like RJ Hampshire, Aaron Plessinger, Dylan Ferrandis, Justin Barcia, and Malcolm Stewart.

The most intriguing part of this campaign is that I truly have no idea what to expect in either class. The clamoring for dominance in the 450 Class leaves a vacancy for who’s to reign in the 250 Class. There will be a new 250 champion crowned in 2026 and many are staking their claim before the first gate even drops. Who’s to say they are right or wrong? With Deegs exiting to the premier division, the iron throne is available. Riders like Shimoda, Hymas, and Davies all won motos in 2025, but can they bring the consistency it will take to stand atop the field come Ironman? That question, as they say, is why we go racing.

This Fox Raceway racetrack is not one for the meek. Traction levels that change from a soft, rutty, muck in the morning to a brutally hard square edged bumps in the afternoon wreak havoc on riders and chassis engineers alike. It’s a track that is difficult to truly trust and most riders spend the afternoon giving it the side eye.

Most riders will use the scoop tire, especially early in the day, but that second moto may offer a chance to bring in a hybrid option or “cut” knob variation. The start is so critically important that most will fear losing forward drive in the deep loam, keeping them on the aggressive side of tread patterns as a rule. There are ways to skirt the edges, though, as a less aggressive tire can be “cut” to add gap in the knob spacing. This would entail taking a cutting tool and simply removing part of the large knob in the middle of the tire.  The side knobs would remain, giving more grip in the harder sections, but the “cut” knob would create a wider area for loose, loamy dirt to fill, propelling the bike forward and helping to offset the loss of dirt displacement on the start a full scoop would offer.

Who’s Hot

Cole Davies won the SLC finale, besting his teammate Haiden Deegan. The jury is still out on Davies' MX expectation, but it’s hard to think he won’t be a player.

Chance Hymas was crazy hot early in 2025 Pro Motocross. There’s no reason to think that same trend won’t hold. The only question is can he keep the story together for 11 rounds?

Jo Shimoda must feel like this is a championship run in the making. On paper, he looks to be a favorite. He’s coming off an injury in St. Louis so how healthy and prepared he is will be the main question for round 1.

Levi Kitchen has never had a better Pro Motocross opportunity than this summer. He will need to execute, but if a championship is in his future, I can’t picture a better setup than 2026.

Jett Lawrence is the reigning champion and the tour de force until proven otherwise. It’s a guessing game as to how ready he is, but betting against him is a good way to go broke.

Haiden Deegan is the most capable rookie in 450 Pro Motocross since Jett Lawrence in 2023. That’s a serious comparison to live up to but with the prep in place, Deegs should be an immediate factor in this fight.

Hunter Lawrence lost the SX title in a heartbreaking duel with Ken Roczen. His mental and emotional resilience will be tested early in these rounds. Ability is not in question for me, it’s how engaged he can will himself to be after such a draining SX run.

Jorge Prado will be looking for revenge after an underwhelming 2025 summer. He has been logging laps on this very racetrack and I can’t picture a scenario where he’s outside of the top 3 in the first corner of each moto. Watch out for the 26, he’s going to be foaming at the mouth to prove people wrong.

A healthy Eli Tomac is always a threat to win. His performance at this round a year ago should speak to his capability. Not many are talking about Tomac right now as a title contender, which could prove to be a big mistake. He’s good at Pala and will be thinking good things entering Saturday.

Chase Sexton might have the least hype since he entered the 450 class. Reminder, he won the last race in SLC! That’s why he lands here. Chase is as good as he decides to be. He can win or be fifth and I would shoulder shrug at both. I have no idea what to expect from Chase this summer, honestly. I could see very different scenarios play out. I do believe, very strongly, that him starting fast in the first round is more important than for any other contender. A poor opening round could set a very disruptive narrative moving forward. Momentum snowballs in both directions.

Most riders will use the scoop tire, especially early in the day, but that second moto may offer a chance to bring in a hybrid option or “cut” knob variation. The start is so critically important that most will fear losing forward drive in the deep loam, keeping them on the aggressive side of tread patterns as a rule. There are ways to skirt the edges, though, as a less aggressive tire can be “cut” to add gap in the knob spacing. This would entail taking a cutting tool and simply removing part of the large knob in the middle of the tire.  The side knobs would remain, giving more grip in the harder sections, but the “cut” knob would create a wider area for loose, loamy dirt to fill, propelling the bike forward and helping to offset the loss of dirt displacement on the start a full scoop would offer.

Tim Gajser: “I’m doing everything I can to be back on the gate this weekend”

Image: Ray Archer

After a hard-fought weekend in France, the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP and MX2 teams are eager to bounce back as they head to Teutschenthal, Germany, for round seven of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

The MXGP of Germany returns to the iconic Talkessel Circuit, a venue steeped in motocross history. Sprawling across the Teutschenthal hillside, this classic hard-pack track is a brutal test of man and machine, characterized by its deep ruts and unforgiving, square-edged bumps. Known for its elevation changes and technical complexity, the circuit demands absolute precision and favours a smooth, calculated riding style. Having hosted its first Grand Prix in 1971, Teutschenthal has become a legendary staple of the calendar, hosting 29 Grands Prix over the last 32 years.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Maxime Renaux arrives with a point to prove. After feeling slightly off the pace at his home Grand Prix, the Frenchman has wasted no time refocusing, putting in extra hours of testing this week with a specific emphasis on his starts. Renaux holds fond memories of the tight, technical German circuit, having clinched a memorable MX2 GP victory there in 2021—a significant confidence boost as he targets a return to the podium this weekend.

At the same time, Tim Gajser is doing everything in his power to be back on the gate this weekend following the right-knee impact sustained in the chaotic first-turn pile-up in France. The five-time World Champion has an incredible track record at the German venue, having stood on the podium eight times, including four overall Grand Prix victories. Determined to add to that tally, Gajser has spent the week working closely with specialists to fast-track his recovery, maintaining a positive outlook as he evaluates his fitness. Known for his incredible toughness, the Slovenian remains focused on his championship goals and will make a final decision alongside his team on Friday.

In MX2, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2’s Janis Reisulis arrives in Teutschenthal ready to translate his blistering raw speed into a podium result. The young Latvian showed flashes of brilliance in France, delivering a breakthrough performance where he led all but two laps of the second race. With his confidence at an all-time high, J.Reisulis is poised to be a front-runner once again in Germany.

Joining him is his older brother, Karlis, who approaches the weekend with quiet determination and a desire to bounce back from a challenging French GP. The 20-year-old Latvian has fond memories of the Talkessel circuit, having secured his career-first EMX125 round win at this very venue—a milestone that provides an extra boost of confidence heading into the weekend. Having maintained a disciplined training block this week to ensure he is in peak condition, the hungry ‘47’ is focused on finding his flow early in the weekend to ensure he rides to his full potential.

Adding to the excitement of the Germany Grand Prix, De Baets Yamaha Supported MX Team’s Lotte van Drunen returns to the gate for the second round of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship. Van Drunen showcased incredible resilience during a tough season opener, salvaging critical points to finish fourth overall. Now, the reigning World Champion turns her focus to the German soil, where she aims to reclaim the top step of the podium and assert her dominance in the title chase.

Finally, the EMX250 Championship resumes for round five. While VHR Yamaha Official EMX250’s Mano Faure continues his recovery from a broken leg sustained in Trentino, the team is thrilled to welcome back Jarne Bervoets. After a solid period of recovery following a heavy fall in Sardinia, Bervoets is ready to make his return to European competition and regain his race rhythm.

— Tim Gajser, 4th MXGP Championship Standings, 223-points

“I’m doing everything I can to be back on the gate this weekend. After the crash in France, I’ve been working closely with specialists all week to recover as fast as I can. We’ll make the final decision later this week, but I’m feeling positive. I really like Teutschenthal, it’s a nice track. I’ve had many wins and podiums there in the past, so I have a lot of good memories. I hope to line up, ready to enjoy the weekend, and make some more good memories.”

MXLarge Johnny O'Mara Interview

Eric Johnson Interview 

Johnny O'mara and Eric Johnson are long time friends. A relationship that started in the 1980s and has grown as the racing legend and the media legend became as close as a racer and media man have ever been.

EJ, one of the greatest journalists in the sport of motocross and Johnny O one of the greatest legends of AMA racing, grew closer as the sport in USA grew. The era of Team USA domination and O'Mara was at the forfront of that domination. In this amazing interview Johnson catches everything that we, the fans want to know. Another classic from EJ.

O'mara is one of the main parts of the puzzel for the Lawrence brothers success and obvously, EJ taps into the inside stories that make the two Aussies great.

43 years. On Saturday, August 27, 1983 at Spring Creek MX Park in Millville, Minnesota, Team Honda racer Johnny O’Mara clinched the 1983 125cc National Motocross Championship after a fierce battle with rivals Jeff Ward, Mark Barnett and Ron Lechien.

“A lot of people consider the ’83 season as one of the toughest ever,” offered O’Mara of the epic 125cc title fight. “Barnett was still in his prime and Jeff Ward and myself were peaking and Ron Lechien and a few other guys were coming on. It was quite fulfilling to win such a competitive series.”

43 years removed from O’Mara’s championship season, the Californian will be out at Fox Raceway at Pala this Saturday for the premier round of the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

The mentor and riding coach to both Hunter and Jett Lawrence, O’Mara and his watchful eyes will be on the dynamic duo and there Honda HRC Progressive CRF450RWEs as the brother act makes a run at the 450MX National Championship – a championship both brothers desperately want to win.

“Jett is ready to go,” said O’Mara of Jett Lawrence, the 2022 and 2025 AMA Pro Motocross Championship 450 Champion who suffered a fractured talus, a fractured navicular, a dislocated ankle and a shattered tibia in testing and training crash last December. “Obviously he hasn’t been on the bike in a while. He’s been chomping at the bit to get back racing. It’s been an intense rehab program, but he’s ready to go for Saturday so everyone is excited to see it.

“He’s back from that injury,” continued O’Mara. “Everyone knows. It’s been talked about widely out there. It was a very sever break in that ankle area, but everything is sound in there right now. We’re not worried about anything. We’ve been on top of that thing since day one. That’s doctors and rehabilitation people in the business. Yeah, it’s good to go. We’re literally ready to go. Sure, you still may see him limp around a little. That just kind of comes with the territory of doing that. I limp around on my foot from when I broke it so many years ago. I think we all know that an injury at that level, it’s probably always going to be never the same. It doesn’t mean you can’t do your job at the highest level. I’m just being pretty frank people so they can understand that.”

Is everything where it needs to be and is everything in order for Jett Lawrence as he prepares for this Saturday’s AMA Pro Motocross Championship opening round?

“Yeah, I do think Jett is good to go,” said O’Mara enthusiastically. “I was just in Florida the last couple weeks after the supercross stuff. I went back to make sure everything is in place with Hunter jumping on the outdoor stuff. Jett has been doing all testing and putting in all of the time that’s necessary with the motorcycle, so a lot of the Hunter stuff was already gone through with Jett. Everything looks good. There was plenty of seat time on Jett’s side. There was minimal time outdoors for Hunter, but only because he just came off the supercross season. Being able to go a full 17 race series in supercross, Hunter is pretty fit. There is no doubt about it. I’m not worried that he can’t go two 35-miute motos. I’ll put it that way. He’s highly fine-tuned. There was not too much wear and tear on him. We felt good the whole time. Kenny just was a little better at the last race, so we just move on. Congratulations to Kenny and we just wish we were in that spot, but there is going to be more opportunities for Hunter. That one hurt because we were so close.”

O’Mara talked about the reality that Hunter Lawerence is fine, recovered and has moved along from the disappointment he experienced is coming up so heartbreakingly close to Ken Roczen at the Salt Lake City Monster Energy Supercross Championship conclusion.

“Yeah, Hunter is fine,” offered O’Mara. “Hunter is an intense individual. You just give him his space. Give him 24 hours and he just moves on. That’s literally how we look at it. I give him his space. He flew home right away. Not sulking, but it just hurts a little bit. When you want to win that bad, you expect that to hurt. If you didn’t see it hurt, then you’d be disappointed in the person because they lay everything on the line. I’d be the same way. Some of the greatest people that I’ve worked with, champions, business people, people all over, if they don’t get their way, they’re not too happy. They move on. As they say, you fail way more than you succeed. Hunter has had plenty of that. Jett has had plenty of that when he was young. Jett is going through it a little bit now. He had a couple of injuries, but he comes back. Last year he won. I don’t see Jett missing any beats on this. I think he is going to be competitive right off the bat. I think we’ll see that this weekend.”

O’Mara, who competed for Team Honda from 1980 through 1986, firmly believes the Honda HRC Progressive race team and overall program operates at an optimum level.

“It’s a good as you can imagine,” said O’Mara, who won the 1984 AMA Supercross Championship for Team Honda. “Everyone kind of knows my history with the Honda racing team back when we built it super-strong in the 1980s. That was a long time ago, but that’s how we tried to replicate it for Jett and Hunter. So I was part of that and the Honda guys gave me full range to help with putting people in place. We’ve got Japan way more involved now. It’s built perfectly for both boys to succeed.

Up next for Jett and Hunter Lawrence and the Honda HRC Progressive team will be Fox Raceway at Pala in Southern California and the first round of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship. How are they looking at it all?

“it’s just the start of another motocross series for us. We don’t really look at it any other way. You would think there is total big talks about it. There’s not. In our camp, you can only control what’s in front of us. That’s just being prepared. You guys all know how my work ethic is and how we go about business. That translates to the boys and I’ve been around them long enough that we all kind of know what we’re doing. We don’t get wrapped up in anything other than making sure we are as prepared as possible when we go on the start line.”

Haiden Deegan. He’ll be at Fox Raceway at Pala on a Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha YZ450F and he’s been lighting up the global moto media about it. How have O’Mara and he Lawrence brothers looked at the Haiden Deegan variable come this Saturday?

“We don’t fall in that category,” said O’Mara. “We’re not dumb. We watched the kid be successful on the small bike. We would expect him to come into the 450 ranks and be competitive right off the bat. Where that is we don’t know util we see the start of the season here relatively quick. Other than that we just know we have a very stacked field. We don’t disrespect any of the guys in there because there plenty of guys that are grown men and championship material guys who have won multiple championships. We don’t really look at any particular guy, we just know how to prepare ourselves for a battle. That’s what we do. 22 motos and then on to the SMX Finals. All the guys are very good. They’re World Champions and multi-time champions. We don’t look at it like, “He’s our main competition.” We don’t look at it like that. If anything the boys are pretty competitive with themselves and it wouldn’t surprise me to see those guys at the front and competing for wins between the two of them.”

Top 10: Pro Motocross 2026 narratives

 Post: Kane Taylor

What you must watch when the gates drop at Fox Raceway this Saturday.

With the opening round of the 2026 Pro Motocross Championship set to commence this Saturday at Fox Raceway, a range of intriguing storylines are emerging ahead of gates dropping on the new outdoor season. In this Top 10 feature, MotoOnline takes a look at the primary narratives to watch entering round one.

1. Defending 450MX champion Jett Lawrence returns:
Sitting atop this list is, of course, the return of defending 450MX champion Jett Lawrence. The 22-year-old has been sidelined for the past five months following an injury sustained in December, and will make his highly anticipated return at Fox Raceway this Saturday. Lawrence holds a perfect eight-from-eight overall record at the venue, while also having won 24 of the 27 450MX rounds contested throughout his career. The statistics are difficult to argue against, with every chance the Honda HRC Progressive rider adds significantly to that tally this summer.

2. Haiden Deegan makes 450MX debut:
It’s undeniable that Haiden Deegan was a dominant force in the 250 division, assuming that mantle following the graduation of both Lawrence brothers to the premier class. Now, the spotlight shifts to Pala for round one of 2026, where the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider steps into 450MX competition carrying significant expectations – many of which have been created through his own commentary. Deegan has consistently shown that he embraces pressure, and that approach has largely proven successful throughout his 250 career. Whether it translates immediately against the sport’s elite in 450MX remains to be seen, although one thing is certain: wherever Deegan lines up, entertainment is rarely far behind.

3. Monster Energy Kawasaki and Chase Sexton:
The 2026 Monster Energy Supercross season didn’t unfold as expected for Chase Sexton and Monster Energy Kawasaki, with the pairing struggling to fully gel with the KX450SR package throughout the series. What will be intriguing entering the outdoor season, however, is the complete reset that comes with Pro Motocross and a fresh 11-round campaign. Whether additional performance can be unlocked outdoors remains to be seen, although Sexton’s credentials in Pro Motocross are already well established, highlighted by his 2024 450MX championship success.

4. Cole Davies looks to convert Supercross success:
Cole Davies has been a revelation in Supercross across the past two seasons, although there remains limited Pro Motocross form to assess entering the summer. His current outdoor moto results stand at 23-23-1-17, with last year’s opening moto at Budds Creek showing genuine promise. The 18-year-old New Zealander has the potential to emerge as a legitimate 250MX title contender by season’s end, although there’s also the possibility that his strengths lean more heavily toward Supercross. Whether Davies can consistently transfer that form outdoors is one of the more intriguing storylines entering 2026, and by around the third round, we should have a much clearer indication.

5. Early-season form needed in Jo Shimoda’s title challenge:
Jo Shimoda has finished runner-up in 250MX twice (2022, 2025), alongside a third-place result in 2023, although the Honda HRC Progressive rider has so far struggled to piece together all 22 motos across a full campaign. Last season began strongly with a 2-2-2-2 moto scorecard across the opening two rounds, however, P6 overall finishes at Thunder Valley and High Point proved costly despite later victories at RedBud, Washougal, and Unadilla. Those mid-season gains ultimately weren’t enough to reel in champion Haiden Deegan. With Deegan now out of the category, the opportunity is there for Shimoda to take control, although tightening up the opening phase of the season and limiting early points losses will be critical to his championship hopes.

6. Eli Tomac targets fifth 450MX championship in 2026:
Nearly nine years ago, Eli Tomac captured the first of his four Pro Motocross premier class titles, later adding back-to-back crowns in 2018 and 2019 before edging out Chase Sexton in a season-long battle during 2022. Tomac managed just two moto victories last summer amid the dominance of Jett Lawrence, meaning both he and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will be aiming to unlock further performance from the 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION if they are to contend for the 2026 championship, which would mark a fifth premier class outdoor title for the veteran.

7. 450MX title contention for Jorge Prado and Hunter Lawrence:
Both Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Hunter Lawrence (Honda HRC Progressive) enter the season as genuine championship contenders, and each could present a serious challenge to the benchmark set by Jett. Four-time world champion Prado appears significantly improved aboard the KTM package, with his outdoor credentials already firmly established, while Hunter arrives following a heartbreaking loss in the 450SX title fight. Had he secured the championship, perhaps a natural comedown may have followed, although falling short by the narrowest of margins likely leaves the Australian even more motivated to chase a number one plate outdoors.

8. RJ Hampshire and Aaron Plessinger return adds 450MX depth:
Both RJ Hampshire and Aaron Plessinger return to Pro Motocross this summer, adding further depth to an already stacked 450MX category. Both riders are also competing for future opportunities, particularly Hampshire, with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing program set to conclude at the end of 2026. As a result, each enters the season with additional motivation, and both are expected to feature heavily inside the top 10, which will be an area of the field that shapes as one of the most fiercely contested throughout the summer..

9. Ducati makes Pro Motocross debut:
The 2026 season will also mark the Pro Motocross debut of the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing program, led by former 450MX champion Dylan Ferrandis alongside Justin Barcia. We’ve already seen the factory Desmo450 MX in Supercross competition, although the outdoor season will provide a clearer picture of the platform’s development across the wide range of conditions and terrain that Pro Motocross presents. Ducati’s MXGP campaign has proven challenging so far in 2026, so the manufacturer will be hoping the American outdoor series delivers a stronger outcome.

10. Looking to break Pro Circuit drought:
It’s been since Adam Cianciarulo secured the 250MX crown in 2019 that Mitch Payton’s Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team has claimed an outdoor championship, while the drought in Monster Energy Supercross has stretched even longer for the once-dominant program. In a category largely controlled in recent years by Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing and Honda HRC Progressive, the pressure is building for Pro Circuit to return to championship-winning form, with much of that responsibility now falling on Levi Kitchen and Seth Hammaker in 2026. Kitchen finished third overall in 2024 and fourth in 2025, while Hammaker was ranked seventh last season, meaning both riders will likely need another step in outright pace if they are to emerge as genuine title contenders. Still, with the Lawrence brothers and Haiden Deegan now out of the category, the opportunity is there for a new rider to rise to the top – and perhaps that’s exactly the opening Kitchen and Hammaker needed.