Q&A: How Pro Motocross is unfolding
Post: Kane Taylor
The topics that matter most following eight rounds of season 2026.
Eight rounds of the 2026 Pro Motocross Championship are complete, with a range of intriguing storylines emerging this summer. MotoOnline answers the questions that matter most in this Q&A feature during the two-week break, before racing resumes at the Undailla National.
Image: Octopi Media.
Q: The big question – has Haiden Deegan impressed in his 450MX debut?
A: Indeed he has, which says a lot given the hype that accompanied the two-time 250MX champion. The ‘RIP Jett’ era already feels like a distant memory as Dangerboy has settled into the 450MX division, although the Lawrence brothers have kept him – and everyone else – winless in the premier class so far. That has to sting. Subtly, Deegan’s tone has shifted towards understanding what it takes to master the bigger machine, acknowledging that both further development and additional refinement of his YZ450F package are required. That said, sitting a clear third in the standings, finishing second overall at Spring Creek, claiming pole position at Washougal, and adding four more podium finishes makes for a highly respectable rookie campaign. The thing is, Deegan wants more, and there’s little doubt he’ll be chasing at least a moto victory across the final three rounds.
Q: Has Hunter Lawrence elevated to Jett’s level?
A: For now, he has. It’s a combination of Hunter having already been on the bike – and in the 450SX title fight – throughout Supercross, while Jett spent the best part of six months on the sidelines. In addition, Jett’s bike time remains somewhat limited due to the lingering effects of his foot injury, allowing Hunter to continue building momentum. So, in a sense, it’s a bit of both. Hunter has risen to Jett’s level, although Jett isn’t yet operating at full capacity. What’s abundantly clear, however, is how far the brothers continue to push one another, with that intensity now manifesting in uncharacteristic mistakes – and crashes – from both riders. As it stands, Jett faces a 12-point deficit with three rounds remaining, and given how evenly matched the pair have been, closing that gap will be no easy task.
Q: Is Julien Beaumer the most improved 250MX rider?
A: You could probably say the same about both he and Kayden Minear, although ‘JuJu’ gets the slight nod. He’s completely flipped the ‘indoor specialist’ narrative and remains in the 250MX title fight, sitting third in the standings, just 25 points from the lead. His breakthrough overall victory at Spring Creek via a 1-4 scorecard only reinforced that. What makes the turnaround even more impressive is where he has come from, having missed nine months with a serious back injury sustained at last year’s Charlotte SMX round. In short, Beaumer is the real deal, and few – perhaps aside from Julien himself and Red Bull KTM – could have predicted such a significant jump in performance.
Q: What can we expect from Levi Kitchen and Cole Davies from here?
A: While Beaumer remains in contention, it’s increasingly looking like the 250MX title will come down to Levi Kitchen and Cole Davies. Kitchen has again been plagued by his customary poor starts, and at Washougal, Davies capitalized convincingly with a dominant 1-1 performance. The issue for the New Zealander is that he has also recorded 16th and 10th overall finishes at Spring Creek and Thunder Valley, respectively. While the speed is undeniable, moments of inconsistency have crept in. Whoever can iron out those weaknesses and deliver consistent performances over the final rounds will likely emerge as champion, and for Kitchen, that means solving his starts – for Davies, avoiding any further off weekends.
Q: How has Jorge Prado’s second 450MX campaign gone?
A: Much better, although something suggests four-time world champion Prado is a little disappointed by just how far he remains from the front-running Lawrence duo. The move to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has undoubtedly paid dividends, although for much of the season he has found himself battling Deegan for third while watching the Honda HRC Progressive pair disappear into the distance. And how do you close that gap when Jett and Hunter are pushing each other every day? It’s a difficult question to answer, and judging by his comments over the past couple of rounds, it seems to be one Prado himself is beginning to come to terms with.
Q: Which underdog stories have emerged in 2026?
A: Every year, a select few riders seem to emerge as the sport’s latest ‘summer of’ story – those who take a significant step forward from where they were previously. In 2026, Carson Mumford, Garrett Marchbanks, and Cornelius Tondel have been those riders. Mumford has finally begun showing the potential many expected after a decorated amateur career. Injuries and team changes have previously stalled his progression, although fifth at Spring Creek and fourth overall at Washougal have firmly put him back on the radar. Marchbanks, meanwhile, has established himself as a genuine top-five contender while effectively leading the Monster Energy Kawasaki program to this point, and Tondel earned a fill-in opportunity with the team following Chase Sexton’s injury after his own strong start to the season. All three have delivered, emerging as some of the standout performers of the 2026 Pro Motocross Championship.
Friday, August 21, 2026 at 7:51PM 
