Alessandro Lupino on giving the Ducati Desmo250 it’s first victory

The sixth and final round of the Italian Pro Prestige MX2 Motocross Championship took place this weekend on the Ciclamino track in Pietramurata, where the Italian series concluded. After earning his second consecutive pole position on Saturday, Alessandro Lupino lined up for Sunday’s first race determined to make the most of his speed.

At the start of the first moto Lupino couldn’t capitalize his strong start, coming out of the first corner around the fifteenth position. The Italian then began a challenging comeback on the muddy track, and finished second. The final race of the year got off to a better start, with the 2024 Italian MX1 Champion sixth after the start and quickly making his way up the group on the first lap, moving into third, before taking second place a lap later. Alessandro caught up with the race leader on lap six, and the move came promptly after a few corners with a strong braking maneuver.

Once in the lead, Lupino held on until the finish line, crossing the checkered flag in first, securing the first position of the day. This was celebrated by all the team members and by Desmo250 MX project manager Davide Perni, who presented Lupino with a Ducati flag signed by everyone who worked on the 250 project in Borgo Panigale.

The 2025 season thus ended with a victory for the Team Beddini Racing Ducati Factory MX2 and the Ducati Desmo250MX, with Lupino securing his fifth podium of the year and second place overall in the Italian Pro Prestige MX2 championship.

Alessandro Lupino:

“I’m very happy with this result; this year has been much more difficult than last year, and today on the final lap I realized that we’ve once again written a new chapter in Ducati’s history. The Desmo250 MX is still very young, and in Ducati they’ve done a great job bringing it to this level. This weekend we have taken another step in the development for 2026, and I think whoever will ride this bike next year will appreciate it. I want to thank everyone who worked on the 250 project in Borgo Panigale, the Beddini team, and everyone at Ducati Corse.”

Ricky Johnson Talks Haiden

𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲!

The United States enjoyed a successful weekend of competition at the 2025 Trial des Nations in Tolmezzo, Italy, on Sept. 20-21, claiming the team’s first International Trophy since 2005.

Led by the trio of Josh Roper, Alex Myers and Will Myers, the United States held off Japan and Germany by just four points on its way to its second International Trophy since the class was added in 1995.

MXoN - American Legends

Team USA have a long list of legends who have ridden for their country in the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations. As the winningest country in the event, with 23 victories, the will always be a contender, not matter what team they bring.

From their first victory in 1981 at the Lommel circuit in Belgium, to their last at the St Jean d’Angely circuit in France, they have produced brilliance. Sometimes a little lucky, but usually just too good for the opposition. We caught up with two of the legends of this event, first up winner Danny Laporte, from the 1981 team, and 1993 and 1996 winner, Jeremy McGrath.

McGrath rode for Team USA on two occasions in 1993, and 1996. The Supercross legend didn’t let America down as he pulled off victories on both occasions, although in 1993 as a rookie he went into the event nervous and not sure how well he would do. Around the very old school European circuit of Schwanenstadt, in Austria, McGrath finished fourth in his very first MXoN race, and helped Team USA to victory.

“Obviously I have spent a lot of my racing in Europe,” McGrath said. “As a rider, to get invited (to the MXoN), I was invited several times, and I managed to race for Team USA twice, and both times we won. Amazingly enough it was two different experiences. I went in 1993 and I was a young kid, and didn’t really have much experience riding motocross, and I wasn’t very good. I was the weak link in the team, but I managed to get one score that was good enough and we got the win.”

Three years later at the Jerez circuit in Spain, Team USA completely dominated, and McGrath was a major part of their success story. McGrath, Jeff Emig and Steve Lamson all won their class, and gave the rest of the world little chance of beating them.

“In 1996, I was a much better rider and we won the Motocross of Nations again. We went and won everything, and that experience was one of the best racing experiences in my career. The level of the Europeans is maybe better than our guys now. I think the Motocross of Nations is a race any motorcycle enthusiast should see.”

In 1981 Team USA, with Chuck Sun, Danny Laporte, Johnny O’Mara and Donny Hansen sent the Grand Prix riders packing as they dominated the event. Harry Everts and Eric Geboers of the Belgian team (and favourites) couldn’t believe the speed of the American riders around the tough Lommel circuit. It would be the start of the most dominating era in MXoN history and one that would prove that America was a force in World Motocross. Danny Laporte remembered it well.

“The US was having trouble putting a team together,” Laporte said. “So, we went with our (Honda) team, myself, Johnny O’Mara, Donny Hansen and Chuck Sun. I had no idea what I was doing, and it was the first time we ever won a championship at the Motocross of Nations.”

Jett Lawrence on winning SMX, pocketing over a million dollars and Deegan

By overtaking Eli Tomac with four laps to go in the second SMX 450 moto in Las Vegas, Jett Lawrence secured the race win and clinched a new SMX championship title. Just minutes earlier, Hunter Lawrence was on the verge of claiming his first premier-class title. But – once again – his younger brother stole the spotlight. Starting behind his main championship rivals in the final moto, Jett came close to giving up.

“A lot of doubt to be honest” said Jett about the last race of the season. “Hunter and Eli were riding really well and honestly, I had a good few laps of trying to catch them like halfway through the moto and I caught them a smidge and I made one mistake and lost all that ground. So, I kind of, not give up, but I am like, ‘Dude I honestly don’t think I can catch them.’ And I got three or four laps to go, and I am just like, ‘I am just going to go as hard as I can and if I crash it’s going to hurt and if I don’t hopefully, we can get close enough to make a pass.’ Thankfully put a few laps together and was able get close and as soon as I got behind Eli, I tried to make a pass straight away and I was able to make it stick. And I am super happy so yeah.”

It’s a double for Honda HRC in the SMX championship this year – actually, a triple. Jett and Hunter occupy the top spots in the 450cc class, while Jo Shimoda takes the SMX 250 crown. He becomes the first Japanese rider to win an AMA championship on a Japanese bike. Six years ago, Jett and Jo were already teammates at Geico Honda, making their professional debuts on the same day – during the 250 outdoor at Unadilla.

“It’s awesome, honestly. I think I was stressed in the truck, like I was watching my brother out there” he says. “I was sick to my stomach, and I was hoping he’d do good because I don’t think anyone else deserves that title as much as Jo or Seth. Seth rides in our compound as well. So I was going for both of them. Jo rode well. He got that holeshot and put his head down and just went for it. No, I’m super stoked. Obviously Jo and I have been friends for a long time since Geico days, and it’s cool we’re both sitting up here. It’s awesome for the team. He deserves it. I’m just super happy for him. It’s been a long time coming for him, I feel like. He’s put a lot of good years together and has come up shy all those years, but this year was finally his one. He put in three really good rounds, and I’m super stoked for him.”

For the third consecutive time, Jett Lawrence wins the SMX 450 championship. The Honda HRC rider now adds his 10th AMA title to his record, including six in the 450cc class. Since moving up to 450cc in summer 2023, Jett Lawrence has claimed six of the eight titles on offer – an impressive feat.

“Winning the SMX, it’s an extra million in the bank. Of course that means a lot. It’s kind of nice because it’s a shorter series, three race weekends, if you do well, you can get a championship bonus. It makes it exciting for the fans because no matter what happens you always have two people that has a chance of winning it no matter how well you do at the first two. It’s exciting. I love it.”

For now, Jett Lawrence isn’t worried about Haiden Deegan moving up to 450, planned for summer 2026. Even though the Star Racing Yamaha rider was a step above this season in 250, the jump to 450 will be a whole new challenge. Before he can challenge Jett, he’ll first have to compete with the other top riders in the class.

“Honestly, he’s got a lot of other people to worry about than me.” Jett responds about a potential future rivalry with Haiden Deegan. “ I’ve got to worry about Hunter, Chase, and Eli. Honestly he’s not really on my radar. I’m focused on the guys I’m racing right now because they’re racing really well. It’s a different league on the 450cc, and it’s hard to back up the answer that Jo gave. It ain’t much of a rivalry if you keep beating the kid.”

Jett Lawrence pocketed over a million dollars from the SMX championship this year ($100,000 at Concord and Vegas, $50,000 at St. Louis, plus the $1,000,000 championship bonus). A million that adds to previous earnings, amounts that make many dream, and continue to widen the gap with Europe. Across the three rounds of the SMX championship, Valentin Guillod earned more than $40,000 in bonuses, finishing 14th at Concord and Saint Louis, and 15th at Vegas. The Swiss rider secured 16th place overall in the 2025 SMX 450 championship.

“For now, I don’t have a specific plan for this million dollars,” Jett Lawrence concludes. “I might put a bit more money into my house, or maybe buy another property. We’ll see. Right now, I’m eyeing a Ferrari F8 in Atlanta. But it’s my outdoor bonus that’s going into it. We’ll wait for the check to arrive, and it’s going straight there, no stops! The money goes straight from my account to the dealership’s account [laughs].”

What About Team USA?

For the second year in a row Team USA is in a scramble before the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations. Two of the three riders on the team went down on Saturday at the SMX World Championship finale in Las Vegas, with Haiden Deegan cracking his collarbone after his takeout attempt on Jo Shimoda, and Chase Sexton crashed out of the final 450 moto while running fourth. KTM announced Sexton suffered "a mild concussion and a weak shoulder that he will have further evaluated this upcoming week."

We believe it's doubtful either rider will be able to line up for the MXoN, which takes place on October 5th. So what does the AMA do to fill the squad?

With this year's event taking place in the U.S. at Ironman Raceway, it's much easier to find participants in both riders and teams. At Las Vegas, RJ Hampshire, Justin Cooper and Cooper Webb all said they would line up for the team if given the call. Hampshire would prefer Sexton's 450 slot, we believe Webb and Cooper said they would race either bike. Webb jumped in last year on a 250 at the last moment. 

Hampshire told our Aaron Hansel: "I’m ready to go. My practice bike is ready and if I get the call I’ll be there."

Justin Cooper said he was told he would be an alternate for the team. That makes sense as he's a teammate of both Deegan, who was supposed to race a 250, and Eli Tomac, who will race a 450. That makes him a logical fill-in if either of those riders were to be unable to race. With Deegan's injury, JCoop might get the call.

Said Justin: "Team USA is not looking good right now. Hopefully we can fill in for it."

The Latest on Prado: Can He Get Out of His Deals?

Meanwhile...Jorge Prado isn't participating in the SuperMotocross Playoffs but there's still talk behind the scenes about where he will end up in 2026. It seems obvious that his tenure with Monster Energy Kawasaki will be ending based on how badly this season went, but we have heard that both Monster Energy and Kawasaki aren't simply letting him walk away from a multi-year contract without some complications. That has slowed the concept of him taking a deal with Red Bull KTM, which did plan to have a 450 slot available for Tom Vialle, who instead is heading back to MXGP to race for Honda HRC. Could Prado take that slot? With the Monster Energy and Kawasaki tie up, it has not been that simple.

Enter another rumor of a way that Prado could race a KTM but retain a Monster Energy deal. Team Tedder has been racing on KTMs with a Monster sponsorship for years, and we've heard that has emerged as a potential spot. Steve Matthes reported that possibility this week.

So, still much up in the air here. Can Prado even get out of his current deals? Will the stipulations of his old deals guide the decisions for his future? Even while not at the races, this situation is making news.

Setting change leads to Vialle's rapid STL turnaround

 Competition Post: Kane Taylor

250SMX contender powers to second moto victory at Playoff 2.

Image: Octopi Media.

A setting change between the first and second moto at SMX Playoff 2 was the defining factor in Tom Vialle’s rapid turnaround in St. Louis, as the reigning 250SX East champion raced to a wire-to-wire win in race two.

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider featured up front in moto one after claiming a top-three start, but proceeded to tumble down the order – as was also the case at Playoff 1 in Charlotte – to record a P10 finish.

A revised set-up after the opening race led to a substantial upturn in form for moto two, where the 24-year-old converted a fast start, which saw him greet the green flag first, to a convincing 3.7s victory over points-leader Jo Shimoda (Honda HRC Progressive).

“Second race of SMX is done, and I finished with a 10-1 scorecard for fifth overall,” recounted Vialle. “It really was a case of opposites with how I felt in each race – I was struggling for comfort in the first moto, and then the team made a lot of great changes for the second race, making the setup softer, and it was so much better for me.

“I felt a lot more comfortable, and I was able to ride a better second moto. I got a solid start, and I just rode well out front for the whole race, so that was nice. We’re fourth in points now, so we’ll do all that we can to win in Vegas.”

Vialle is fourth in the 250SMX SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) standings entering the Las Vegas Final this weekend, with triple points on offer as he sits 25 points in arrears of championship leader Shimoda.

Split Cases Yourself With TUSK

Wardy...MXoN Grand Marshall

MX Sports, host organizer of the 2025 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN), is pleased to announce that AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer and USA Motocross Team icon Jeff Ward, the most prolific racer of the 1980s, will serve as Grand Marshal of the world’s most prestigious motocross event, which will return to American soil from October 3-5 from Crawfordsville, Indiana’s Ironman Raceway. Ward will join this year’s USA rider lineup of Haiden Deegan, Chase Sexton, and Eli Tomac during the kickoff Nucor Grand Parade of Nations on Friday, October 3, and will also lead opening ceremonies on race day, Sunday, October 5.

Simply put, Ward is “Captain America” at the MXoN. Not only is he the most successful racer in USA Motocross Team history with the most appearances for his home country, but he is also the single-most-successful competitor in the 78-year history of the storied event. Ward represented the stars and stripes on seven different occasions between 1983 and 1990 and went a perfect 7-for-7 in those appearances. An unprecedented level of success that still stands to this day, 35 years since Ward’s final MXoN.

“Jeff Ward represents everything the Motocross of Nations stands for — national pride, world-class talent, and a relentless drive to win,” said Tim Cotter, Event Director for the 2025 MXoN. “It is only fitting that the winningest American in MXoN history leads Team USA and our fans into this year’s event as Grand Marshal.”

Adding to Ward’s heralded legacy at the MXoN were winning performances in each displacement division, with five wins riding a 500cc Kawasaki KX500 and one win apiece riding a 250cc Kawasaki KX250 and a 125cc KawasakiKX125. He helped lead the USA to victories in six different host nations, including the MXoN debut on American soil from New York’s Unadilla MX in 1987, and became a cornerstone figure in the country’s ascension to dominance at the MXoN, where the USA has the most Chamberlain Trophy triumphs with 23 victories.

While Ward’s accolades at the MXoN alone is the stuff of legend, his career résumé in American motocross as a whole is equally incredible. Ward captured seven SuperMotocross championships during an illustrious 15-year career, with two titles in Supercross and five titles in Pro Motocross. He will also forever carry the distinction of being the only rider in AMA history to win a championship in each displacement, in both disciplines.

Upon his retirement from motocross, Ward made a successful transition to four wheels, notably in IndyCar where he competed in 61 races over a seven-year period, with one victory at Texas Motor Speedway in 2002 and both a second and third-place finish at the legendary Indianapolis 500. Ward then made a triumphant return to two wheels at over 40 years of age, where he dominated the AMA Supermoto Championship with both a pair of titles (2004 & 2006) and a pair of X Games Gold Medals (2006 & 2008). He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999 and was later inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2006.