The penultimate race of a historic 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship traveled to the Mile High City for Round 16 of the Monster Energy SMX World Championship, where a jubilant crowd gathered inside Empower Field at Mile High to watch the latest chapter in one of the closest 450SMX Class title fights of all time. On a night in which he would greatly benefit from a winning performance, Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence rose to the occasion to wrestle away the championship momentum from points leader and Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki racer Ken Roczen to set up the first winner-take-all showdown between two international athletes at the season finale.
450SX: One point between Roczen and Lawrence
Hunter Lawrence (Honda HRC) delivered at the perfect moment in Denver, taking a crucial victory that leaves him just one point behind Ken Roczen (HEP Suzuki) heading into the Salt Lake City finale.
Lawrence quickly moved into the lead after passing Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM) in the opening laps, while Roczen had to fight his way forward from outside the top three. By the time the German reached second place, Lawrence had already built a comfortable gap and controlled the race from there to secure one of his most important wins of the season.
Eli Tomac (Red Bull KTM) produced an impressive comeback ride after crashing on lap one, recovering to finish third in front of his home crowd during his return from injury. Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) and Chase Sexton (Monster Energy Kawasaki) completed the top five after late drama involving Justin Cooper and Cooper Webb.
450SX HIGHLIGHTS
West Coast: Deegan makes history!
Although the title had already been decided, all eyes were on newly crowned two-time champion Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) in the return of the 250SX West division at Denver.
Deegan completely dominated the Main Event, even lapping riders inside the top 10 on his way to a seventh victory of the season — the highest win total across the entire 2026 Monster Energy Supercross Championship. He crossed the finish line 3.5 seconds ahead of Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki), while Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) completed the podium in third.
The win carried major historical significance. Deegan secured the 14th Supercross victory of his 250SMX career, moving into sole possession of third place on the all-time 250SX wins list ahead of Jett Lawrence and Jeremy McGrath.
Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha also set a new single-season manufacturer record in the 250SMX class with 15 victories earned by five different riders throughout the season.
Behind the podium, Max Anstie finished fourth while Australian rookie Kayden Minear impressed in his professional debut with a strong fifth-place result.
With the championship already wrapped up, Deegan now heads to the East/West Showdown in Salt Lake City aiming to further cement his status as one of the greatest riders in 250SMX history. Meanwhile, the fight for second in the standings remains wide open between Kitchen, Anstie and DiFrancesco, with only eight points separating the trio heading into the finale.
HIGHLIGHTS
