The Monster Energy SMX world championship reached a dramatic climax on September 26, 2026 inside the thunderous confines of Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Ridgeland, Missouri. A capacity crowd roared as the final two motos of both the 450SMX and 250SMX classes unfolded, each carrying triple championship points that would decide the season’s ultimate victors.
450SMX battle: Prado’s comeback to the top step
The premier class opened with Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) exploding off the start line to claim the holeshot, followed closely by Ken Roczen (Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki) and Hunter Lawrence (Honda HRC Progressive). Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) entered the first moto from tenth position, a spot that underscored the volatility of the evening.
Deegan capitalised on his early lead, extending his advantage to a three-second margin and finishing the first moto in first place. Roczen and Lawrence completed the podium, while Prado fought his way up to fifth. The result set the stage for a decisive second moto, where Prado seized the holeshot and built a narrow gap over Deegan.
Mid-race, Deegan accelerated, trimming Prado’s lead and challenging for the win with three and a half minutes remaining. The pair exchanged fastest laps, the field tightening behind them as lapped riders filtered through. On the final lap both riders slipped, but Prado recovered enough to cross the line 1.7 seconds ahead, securing the Hunter Lawrence’s consistent 3-3 performance secured third place on the final podium.
250SMX showdown: Kitchen’s long-awaited triumph
The 250 class began with Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) snapping the holeshot, ahead of Nate Thrasher (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing). Early on, Kitchen stretched his lead to more than two seconds, dictating a clean rhythm while his rivals fought for the remaining podium spots.
Mid-race drama erupted when Thrasher crashed from second place, promoting Cole Davies (Yamaha) into contention. Davies surged forward in the closing stages, overtaking Kitchen with just over a minute left and eventually winning the first moto by 2.1 seconds. Kitchen settled for second, but the points kept his championship hopes alive.
The decisive second moto unfolded in rainy conditions. Cole Davies again claimed the holeshot, but Kitchen remained composed, maintaining a steady pace that kept him within striking distance. As the rain intensified, Kitchen’s consistency paid off; he stayed out of trouble, preserved tire grip, and finished second behind Davies. The 6-3 finish awarded Kitchen the 250SMX world title, marking his first professional championship and the first for his team since the 2019 Pro Motocross season.
Riders reflect on a historic night
Fresh from his triumph, Prado said, “One year ago I was watching these races and wondered if I’d ever be here. Red Bull KTM gave me the chance, and hard work turned a dream into reality. The rain almost changed everything, but it stopped and I managed to keep Haiden behind me.”
Deegan, who finished runner-up, admitted the sting of falling short: “I gave everything today. Missing the championship hurts, but credit to Jorge – he rode great. I’ll work hard in the off-season to chase the Supercross title I want.”
Kitchen, whose victory capped a long-standing pursuit, reflected, “After years of near-misses, finally standing on the top step feels amazing. It’s a win not just for me, but for the whole Pro Circuit team.”
Lawrence, securing third in the premier class, summed up the season: “It’s been a long year, but the results tonight show the progress we’ve made. Now it’s off-season, and the goal is to come back stronger.”
