Motoonline Competition Post: Kane Taylor
Champions expected to collide in Pro Motocross come 2026.
Not since the winter of 2005, when phenom James Stewart met Ricky Carmichael in the premier category at the Supercross opener in Anaheim, have we had a more anticipated match-up than Jett Lawrence and Haiden Deegan, with the two generational talents expected to meet in 450MX next year. The burning question is this: How will Deegan stack up against Lawrence in 2026?
This topic is gaining traction as this year’s Pro Motocross season develops. Legitimate questions are being posed to Deegan about his movements for 2026, and it’s expected that a move to 450MX is on the cards outdoors for next year, with the 19-year-old offering an insight into the situation following High Point.
“Yeah, probably in the off-season when I have time to do some testing on a 450 and figure out what the plan is [for next year],” Deegan mentioned when asked regarding his future. “But yeah, as of now, 250 Supercross and outdoors are still up in the air. Winning these 250 titles is nice. So, you know, if I feel good on the 450 pre-season, then we’ll run it.”
One would think that another dominant 250MX campaign – which he is having this year, collecting six of eight moto wins, and a 42-point margin over second place after four rounds – is more than enough to seal his 450MX fate, and meet an all-new cast of characters, which includes the prodigal 21-year-old, Lawrence.
Remaining with Deegan a touch longer, it’s evident that he has broken the 250 category. The outspoken racer has overcome rivalries with Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki), Julien Beaumer (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Chance Hymas (Honda HRC Progressive) and even Jordon Smith (Triumph Racing) in the early days, and with all due respect, has stamped his authority on the feeder class.
Image: Octopi Media.
It’s reminiscent of Stewart during the early 2000s, who was a notch above the Tedescos, Browns, and Heplers of the world, and was destined for a clash with Carmichael and Chad Reed at the head of the premier class. One could ask, ‘What about Ryan Villopoto?’ or ‘What about Eli Tomac and Ken Roczen?’ To which I would reply, although these riders are all-time greats, there wasn’t the same aura surrounding them as was the case with Stewart versus Carmichael, and now I would argue, Deegan versus Lawrence.
It’s subjective, and some people will think I’m incorrect in saying that, but I believe it to be true. There is a level of hype surrounding both riders, as they’re so talented, yet so different in pretty much every way imaginable.
Here’s a lens to look at it through. Much has been made of Lawrence’s fluidity on a motorcycle, and it’s redefining what it means to race both motocross and supercross disciplines. His ability to manage a race is second to none, and his patience is up there with the best of the best, so there’s that. Deegan, on the other hand, is almost the second coming of the Tomac (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) and Villopoto school of riding – ultra aggressive, and makes it sound like it’s armageddon when he’s on the race track. Stylistically, they are both so different, so which one works?
Evidently, both. Lawrence has used his method to effectively dominate the 450 class when he’s been healthy since 2023. Deegan has used his method to take hold of the 250 class, which he has done for the most part since his full-time professional debut in 2023, also. That’s all good and well – what it tells us is that both approaches work – although we’re yet to see which one is ‘better’, in a sense.
To wrap up the stylistic match-up, I will say this. Tomac’s famous ‘Beast Mode’ has, I would say, proven largely ineffective against Lawrence’s delicacy and dissection of a race track. The second motos at both Fox Raceway and Thunder Valley demonstrate such, where the number 18 walked away from Tomac in each race after taking off together at the start. The number three sported his patented aggressive approach, although slamming off berms, losing momentum due to impact, and so on, led to a time loss, despite how impressive it looked visually.
Image: Octopi Media.
Deegan is not Tomac – he is likely an updated version of that level of aggression, and will need to if he’s to be a genuine challenger of Lawrence. This rings even more true indoors, where timing and technique are at a premium over brute force.
To date, what has each rider said about the other? Not much, although what has been said is of interest, as it gives insight into the relationship and how it could unfold into the future. Leading into 2025, the Monster Energy Supercross team sat a selection of riders down to ask color questions, with one being centred around main rivals. Lawrence and Deegan were mentioned together, to which Jett responded:
“That’s stupid [laughs], why would they [the fans] think that, he’s in a different class? [He] ain’t even in the same league bro, come on.”
Deegan saw this, and as expected, he didn’t take it too kindly, retaliating with the following at the Anaheim 1 pre-race press conference:
“I heard guys like Jett already say that I am not even in his league, right? Which I think is funny because on our best day on a 250, I don’t think he’d be able to stand a chance outdoors. Honestly, I’m going to keep working hard, get to the 450 class, and [then] we’ll see.”
Image: Octopi Media.
This is good – this is really good. It sets up for what is going to be an ultra-entertaining stretch of racing. The only hope [which is perhaps misguided] on my end is that all camps and their fan bases keep it respectful. These are two generational talents who are chasing one dream, so it’s inevitably going to get spicy at times, but that doesn’t mean anything ought to cross the line in any way.
The sport of motorcycling ultimately unites us, regardless of who you follow – however passionately – and that’s a good thing to keep in mind.
So, how will Deegan stack up against Lawrence in 450MX? Who knows at this point. All we can do is hypothesize the scenarios, which is a lot of fun! Two opposing styles. Two opposing approaches.
It’s a super-interesting time for the sport, and one that doesn’t come along very often at all. Two heavyweights are set to collide, with questions likely to draw some answers come the summer of 2026.