This week in US Powersports racing.
Defending Champion Cooper Webb Emerges with First Victory of Season After Triple Crown Showdown in Houston
The fourth race of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship held its first stop of the 2026 season outside the state of California as Round 4 of the Monster Energy SMX World Championship traveled to the Lone Star State and the domed confines of NRG Stadium. The first Triple Crown race of the stadium campaign produced the most unpredictable action of the young season as three different riders took race wins during the trio of 450SMX Class sprint races. However, none of those racers sat atop the overall podium at night’s end as reigning 450SMX Class Champion Cooper Webb parlayed a consistent night into his first win of the season, providing a much-needed boost to what has been a frustrating start to the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider’s title defense.
Houston’s NRG Stadium hosted the fifth race of the 2026 season and the first
Triple Crown of the Monster Energy AMA Supercoss Championship.
Race 1 was dominated by Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen, as the German grabbed the holeshot and rode to an uneventful wire-to-wire win where he never faced a serious challenge for the lead. Roczen took the first checkered flag of the night by 1.9 seconds over Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Chase Sexton, with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Eli Tomac in third. Webb began the night with a fourth-place result, while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado rounded out the top five. Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence saw a podium finish slip away when a late miscue and tip over relegated him to seventh.
The second race of the evening got underway with Prado out front for the holeshot, followed closely by Lawrence and Twisted Tea Suzuki Presented by Progressive Insurance’s Jason Anderson. Webb started fourth, with Roczen a few positions back in eighth. Both Tomac and Sexton were mired outside the top 10, with Tomac 11th and Sexton 17th. Prado impressed out front and led more than half of the race before Lawrence made the move in the closing stages and carried on to take the win. Webb battled his way into the top three and slipped by Prado as well to finish second, 2.1 seconds behind Lawrence. Prado held on for third, followed by Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper in fourth and Roczen in fifth. Sexton did well to claw his way up to ninth, while the biggest moment of the race came when Tomac crashed while running sixth. The championship leader remounted and soldiered home to a 13th-place finish. After two races, Webb and Roczen sat tied for the lead, while Lawrence and Prado were tied for second.
The third and deciding race provided a captivating end to the night and began with Tomac out front for the holeshot, followed by Anderson and Lawrence. Webb started seventh, while Roczen (11th) and Prado (14th) were forced to battle back from outside the top 10. As riders jockeyed for position early, Webb made a costly error off the finish line jump that took him off track and back to eighth, behind each of his contending foes. Out front, Anderson charged by Tomac into the lead, as Lawrence followed through into second. The KTM rider settled back in and mounted an attack, which saw him get back by Lawrence for second and reclaim the lead from Anderson. Roczen, meanwhile, had fought his way up to fourth, just behind the leaders, in position for the overall. Lawrence then got by Anderson for second, which positioned the Honda rider for the overall. Behind them, Webb had overcome his early misfortune and was on the cusp of the top five. As he looked to pass his teammate for third, Roczen mistimed a rhythm section, which allowed Sexton and Webb to drop the Suzuki rider to sixth. Sexton then moved by Anderson for third but also mistimed a rhythm, which allowed Anderson, Webb, and Roczen to get by. Webb then went on the attack and made what became the winning move with a pass for third. Out front, Tomac bounced back from the adversity in the second race and cruised to the Race 3 win by 4.3 seconds over Lawrence. Webb successfully kept a hard-charging Roczen at bay for third, in what became the battle for the overall victory.
Webb’s 4-2-3 finishes and nine total points sealed the 31st win of his decorated career and his sixth Triple Crown triumph. Lawrence came up a single point shy of a maiden victory with 10 points on 7-1-2 finishes but netted a third consecutive runner-up result. Roczen rounded out the overall podium after 1-5-4 finishes tied him with Lawrence but placed him in third via Lawrence’s better Race 3 result. Tomac’s victory in the final race was significant in the overall standings as he finished fourth with 17 points on 3-13-1 finishes. Sexton rounded out the top five (2-9-6), one week after he claimed victory at Anaheim 2.
By missing the podium for the first time in 2026, Tomac’s lead in the 450SMX Class standings dropped to just four points over Lawrence, while Roczen moved to within 12 points of the lead. Sexton sits fourth (-14), while the win vaulted Webb up to fifth (-17).
A consistent effort across all three races allowed Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb to parlay 4-2-3 finishes into his first victory of the season.
Cooper Webb – 1st Place – 450SMX Class
“This feels amazing. I can’t even put it into words. Honestly, it’s weird not to win a [race], but I’ll take any skin I can get right now. It’s been a really tough month mentally, physically, emotionally. Even yesterday was a rough day. Just to come in here today and make this happen means so much. It’s never over. I thought last week might be the nail in the coffin [in the title defense], but that’s a Cooper Webb move to come back a week later, put myself in a good position, and win. I’m proud of myself. We’ve still got plenty of work to do. We need to be better, but it’s a breath of fresh air and a boost of confidence. It’s just good to be back on top.”
Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence just missed out on his maiden 450SMX Class victory but now has three straight runner-up finishes.
Hunter Lawrence – 2nd Place – 450SMX Class
“The first [race] is where it all went bad for me. Just a silly little mistake. I’m happy with how the night went from that point on, honestly. I rode really well and this format is one of the tougher ones for me. Short duration sprints don’t come easy to me. I’m pretty happy with how it went after the first [race] and what could have been. We did good damage control and pulled four points back on the lead. We live to fight another day.”
Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Suzuki’s Ken Roczen took a Race 1 win and tied for second overall, but ultimately finished third via tiebreaker.
Ken Roczen – 3rd Place – 450SMX Class
“I’ve got a little bit mixed emotions. This could have been my night. I got a little bit held up by my teammate [Anderson] and that forced me into a couple mistakes where I lost the rhythm and two positions. Here we are, back in third place. It’s the difference between catching Cooper [Webb] and winning and doing what I did. But I don’t want to be too bummed. We’re going to keep chugging along on the podium. My time will come.”
450SMX Class Podium (left to right)
Hunter Lawrence, Cooper Webb, and Ken Roczen
The Western Divisional 250SMX Class was much more straightforward as Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan was the class of the field in each race. The reigning champion made a statement in Race 1 after he grabbed the holeshot and ran away with a wire-to-wire win by a margin of 2.0 seconds over Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen and his teammate Cameron McAdoo. In Race 2 Deegan secured another top three start and methodically worked his way forward. He made clean passes around McAdoo, who earned the holeshot, and Kitchen, who led most of the race, to bring home his second win of the night by 3.9 seconds. The third and final race was Deegan’s most challenging, as he and Kitchen engaged in a cat-and-mouse fight for third place early on. The Kawasaki rider made an aggressive dive under Deegan, but the Yamaha rider fought back and gave Kitchen a nudge as he reclaimed the spot. Deegan then tracked down his Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing teammate Max Anstie for second and was patient before he made the pass on ClubMX Yamaha’s Max Vohland, who captured the holeshot, for the race lead. Once out front, Deegan never looked back and completed the hat trick by 1.3 seconds over Anstie. Kitchen and McAdoo followed in third and fourth.
The Triple Crown sweep proved to be a statement in Deegan’s title defense as he’s now in the midst of a three-race win streak and continues to add to his lead in the championship standings. After a difficult start to the season that produced 6th, 4th, and 21st-place finishes, Kitchen broke through for his first podium result with a runner-up finish with 7 points on 2-2-3 finishes. McAdoo landed on the podium for the second time in three races and the 25th time in his career following 3-3-4 finishes for 10 points. Deegan’s lead in the Western Divisional standings over his Star Yamaha teammates now sits at 19 points over Anstie, who finished sixth in Houston following 10-6-2 finishes, and 20 points over Michael Mosiman, who endured through his toughest race of the season in an eighth-place effort following 4-14-8 finishes.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan swept the Triple Crown races for his third straight Western Divisional 250SMX Class win.
Haiden Deegan – 1st Place – Western Divisional 250SMX Class
“It’s racing. I’m just trying to get into the lead and win races, so I’m down with cat and mouse [with Kitchen]. Aggressive is pretty much my middle name at this point. [It was] a good race and it was nice to hear some cheers out there [from the fans]. I appreciate that. I tried to make it entertaining for them and hope they enjoyed it.”
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen broke through for his first podium finish of the season in a runner-up effort.
Levi Kitchen – 2nd Place – Western Divisional 250SMX Class
“It’s been a rough start to the season, so I need to give a lot of thanks to my team and everyone for sticking behind me. I’m pretty happy with tonight, to just get a couple good starts and kind of feel that pace [up front]. Haiden is riding phenomenal and I’m just trying to go out there and do my best.”
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Cameron McAdoo earned his second podium finish over the past three races.
Cameron McAdoo – 3rd Place – Western Divisional 250SMX Class
“It was frustrating last weekend to lose the podium the way I did towards the end. I love these Triple Crowns. I love the pressure of three [races] and was able to execute every time. It was a fun night and awesome to put a couple Pro Circuit bikes on the podium.”
Western Divisional 250SMX Class Podium (left to right)
Levi Kitchen, Haiden Deegan, and Cameron McAdoo
For the second week in-a-row, the action of the 450SMX and 250SMX classes was complemented by the budding stars of SMX Next – Supercross. An elite group of the top A and B class prospects in amateur motocross took to the track once again with a field of 21 racers, with last week’s winner Kayden Minear missing in action after the 18-year-old Australian crashed aboard his Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing machine during qualifying and was forced to sit out. As the gate dropped on the 8 Minute + 1 Lap race, it was 16-year-old Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green rider Vincent Wey who put himself out front early with the holeshot. It wasn’t long before 17-year-old Triumph Racing America rider Deacon Denno, a Texas native, took the lead to the delight of the home crowd. As the race wore on, all eyes were on another Texan, 16-year-old Caden Dudney, who charged to the lead aboard his Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing ride and stormed to his first SMX Next victory by a margin of 1.5 seconds over Denno for a Texas 1-2. Wey crashed out of third in the closing laps while he attempted to pass Denno for second, which allowed 18-year-old Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider Landed Gordon to finish third.
![Caden Dudney – 1st Place – SMX Next – Supercross - Houston [1]](https://i0.wp.com/motorsportsnewswire.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Caden-Dudney-%E2%80%93-1st-Place-%E2%80%93-SMX-Next-%E2%80%93-Supercross-Houston-1.jpg?resize=678%2C452&ssl=1)
![Caden Dudney – 1st Place – SMX Next – Supercross - Houston [2]](https://i0.wp.com/motorsportsnewswire.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Caden-Dudney-%E2%80%93-1st-Place-%E2%80%93-SMX-Next-%E2%80%93-Supercross-Houston-2.jpg?resize=678%2C452&ssl=1)
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Caden Dudney captured his first
Caden Dudney – 1st Place – SMX Next – Supercross
“The track was pretty tough out there, but it feels good to get the win in my home state. I was pretty close last weekend and that kind of pissed me off, so I had to get redemption on that. I had to put in the work [during the week] and here we are.”
SMX Next Podium (left to right)
Deacon Denno, Caden Dudney and Landen Gordon
The Monster Energy SMX World Championship and Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will continue next Saturday for the fifth race of the season from Glendale, Arizona’s State Farm Stadium. Live broadcast coverage on Peacock will begin at 1 p.m. ET with Race Day Live, followed by the Gate Drop at 7 p.m. ET.Additionally, a domestic Spanish language broadcast is available on Pea cock while international viewers can choose from dedicated English, French, and Spanish broadcasts via SMX Video Pass (www.SMXVideoPass.com).
All 17 rounds of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and 11 rounds of the Pro Motocross Championship are on sale. Tickets for the SMX World Championship Playoff Rounds and Final will go on pre-sale Tuesday, Jan. 27, with general tickets on-sale to the public on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at Supermotocross.com. Saturday FanFest will take place at all postseason races, Friday FanFest and camping will be available in Columbus and Ridgedale, additional details to follow.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing in the fight at Houston Triple Crown
On the high-speed and technically challenging layout within NRG Stadium, Stewart continued his return to form while recovering from a fractured scapula, qualifying 10th fastest aboard his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition during the afternoon sessions.
The 33-year-old followed with a consistent eighth-place finish in the opening final, improved to sixth in Race 2 on a deteriorating circuit, and crossed the line 10th in the final outing to secure P8 on the night. The result shows encouraging signs of progress for Stewart, who is racing back into form during the early stages of the 2026 SMX World Championship series.
“Houston was trending in the right direction for me!”said Stewart.“I felt pretty good through all three races tonight. We’ve just been making sure to do all of the right things regarding recovery, and I have been working with Dr. G all week. I’m starting to feel a lot better and getting closer to feeling normal, so this is a very positive night. I know on paper it doesn’t look that good, but under the circumstances from Anaheim 1, this is a big win for us. So, all we need to do is keep moving forward, keep putting in the work, and I know I can get back up to where I need to be. Glendale is always a fun one and one of my favorites, so I am looking forward to that race next week.”
Also onboard the Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition, full-time 450SX newcomer RJ Hampshire raced to 10th in Race 1, before a late fall in Race 2 saw him credited P14. In the third and final race, the 30-year-old posted a ninth-place result in the ultra-competitive premier class field, earning 11th position overall for the round.
“Houston was a long day for me,”reflected Hampshire.“I didn’t qualify well – even though I felt good on the bike – and then my first race was decent after riding strong the whole time. Second one, I had a decent start inside the top 10 and then ended up going down pretty late in it, which dropped me back a few spots. Last race, I had a pretty good start again, but it was just decent, nothing overly special tonight. I still feel like there was progress made from our time on the bike, so we’ll head back home this week and come out swinging in Arizona.”
DiFrancesco began the day in positive fashion at the first Triple Crown of the year, qualifying third on 250SX combined times and finding competitive pace early with his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition ahead of the night’s rapid, three-race program.
The 20-year-old showed speed in the opening Western Divisional race after starting outside the top 10, climbing to sixth before advancing to P5 in Race 2, and setting himself up well for the third and final race in Texas this weekend.
An additional fifth-place result capped off a consistent night for the impressive young Californian, who earned P5 overall and now sits fourth in the 250SX West standings, just two points outside of second position.
“Houston Triple Crown was good for me,”commented DiFrancesco.“I started off the day with good speed in qualifying, and then the first race didn’t begin very well with a bad start. The track was tough tonight – it was super-technical and fast, and you needed to concentrate a lot on hitting your marks every lap. There weren’t a lot of passing opportunities, so where you started made it tough to move forward. We need to clean a couple of things up, be a little more consistent with my laps, but I’m super-stoked to get to Glendale and Seattle because those have been two of my better rounds!”
Next Race: February 7 – Glendale, Arizona
Results 450SX Class – Houston1. Cooper Webb (Yamaha)2. Hunter Lawrence (Honda)3. Ken Roczen (Suzuki)4. Eli Tomac (KTM)7. Jorge Prado (KTM)8. Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)11. RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)13. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)17. Justin Hill (KTM)
Standings 450SX Class 2026 after 4 of 17 rounds1. Eli Tomac, 88 points2. Hunter Lawrence, 843. Ken Roczen, 768. Jorge Prado, 5611. RJ Hampshire, 3813. Aaron Plessinger, 3614. Malcolm Stewart, 3616. Justin Hill, 28
Results 250SX Class – Houston1. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha)2. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki)3. Cameron McAdoo (Kawasaki)5. Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
Standings 250SX Class 2026 after 4 of 10 rounds1. Haiden Deegan 93 points2. Max Anstie, 743. Michael Mosiman, 734. Ryder DiFrancesco, 72
Mateo Oliveira and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna claim Blythe NGPC podium result
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Mateo Oliveira claimed a Pro Class podium result at Round 2 of the 2026 National Grand Prix Championship (NGPC) season in Blythe, California, on Sunday, finishing in third position at the Gold Rush Grand Prix.
Aboard the Husqvarna FE 450, the 23-year-old Oliveira started the 11-lap race in second position, battling among the top-five as the leaders fought for the podium positions.
Despite making his share of minor mistakes in ultra-challenging terrain, the new Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing recruit would ultimately cross the line in P3 with a total time of 1:35:43, delivering his second NGPC podium finish of the year.
Mateo’s convincing 3-3 start to the 2026 NGPC season sees him with 42 points toward his overall championship tally, with the third round of NGPC taking place at Glen Helen Raceway from February 27 to March 1.
“I got off to a good start and I was right there in the top three,” recalled Oliveira. “I made a couple of mistakes – I blew the corner where my brother Dante [Oliveira] got around me, and then did a silly move in the pro section, so I went off line and went from third back to sixth. I had to chase down the front-runners from there, which I did, and managed to get into third. It was a good race in the end and overall I am stoked with the team, stoked with the bike, and thanks to everyone supporting us. It’s a big effort from all involved, and today was a good day.”
Pro Class Results
1. Dante Oliveira, KTM
2. Justin Hoeft, Kawasaki
3. Mateo Oliveira, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
TOP-FIVE FINISH KEEPS 450SX RED PLATE FOR ELI TOMAC IN HOUSTON TRIPLE CROWN
Round 4 – AMA Supercross Championship
After an exceptional start to this year’s SMX World Championship season, including two Main Event victories and a third-place result across the opening three rounds, Tomac entered this weekend targeting another competitive night in building on his 2026 campaign. The 33-year-old qualified P1 onboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION with a flying 46.684 lap-time set in the opening session.
A mid-field start in the opening race of the Triple Crown saw Tomac steadily climb forward, crossing the line in a hard-fought P3 as the checkered flag waved. Upon charging through the 450SX field in Race 2, the points-leader crashed while running P4, but was able to remount and salvage a spirited 13th-place finish.
Victory in the third and final outing of the night was enough for the double 450SX Champion to claim fourth place overall, and contributed valuable points toward his Supercross championship tally entering Glendale next weekend. He now holds a four-point advantage in the standings.
Eli Tomac:“That was such a high-speed on-off there, the triple on-off, and in the transition, I ended up stomping on my rear brake. Thankfully, I was able to get through my bars – I was like, ‘Wow, I really need to step through my bars right now.’ I felt a little tag by the bike, but the limbs are good, I’m good, and I’m excited I was able to get that rebound in the final race. If I’m going to toss one away, this is the one to do it at, and I’m just happy to get fourth overall, because that was a ride! Glad to move on to next week.”
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Jorge Prado was sixth-fastest in combined 450SX qualifying at Houston, before the four-time world champion powered his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION to a strong start and a P5 result in the opening Triple Crown race.
A holeshot in the second one had the Spaniard leading a large portion of Race 2 on his way to third position, combined with 11th in Race 3 to earn seventh overall for the weekend. As a result, Prado has moved to eighth in the 450SX championship.
Jorge Prado:”Riding-wise, I think this was a very good event. I think I rode well all day – I got a solid start in the first race, same as the second race, and then in the third one I just messed it up big time in the first corner. I was really, really behind in that one, and it was very hard to pass a lot of riders in such a short time, so I am disappointed with the end result because I think that I could’ve done way better. It is what it is, we’ll take the learnings from tonight into next weekend in Arizona.”
Also equipped with the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, Aaron Plessinger set the 12th-fastest time in 450SX qualifying during the afternoon, before taking a P12 result in the first of three finals. ‘The Cowboy’ then raced to 11th in Race 2, and a P13 score in the final outing saw him claim 13th overall.
Aaron Plessinger:”Qualifying was going pretty well in Houston, before I cased a jump and hit my ankle pretty good. I got a decent start in the first Triple Crown race, but then made a few mistakes and dropped back – I was just really involved in those mid-field battles, which are tough. And then Race 2 was much the same – just didn’t execute as well as I should. And then, for the third one, I got a decent start again and was riding alright, but then my ankle started hurting, which sent me back. Overall, not a great night, but we’ll shift our focus to the next one in Glendale for a rebound.”
Next Race: February 7 – Glendale, Arizona
Results 450SX Class – Houston
- Cooper Webb (Yamaha)
- Hunter Lawrence (Honda)
- Ken Roczen (Suzuki)
- Eli Tomac (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
- Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
- Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna)
- RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna)
- Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
- Justin Hill (KTM)
Standings 450SX Class 2026 after 4 of 17 rounds
- Eli Tomac, 88 points
- Hunter Lawrence, 84
- Ken Roczen, 76
- Jorge Prado, 56
- RJ Hampshire, 38
- Aaron Plessinger, 36
- Malcolm Stewart, 36
- Justin Hill, 28
DANTE OLIVEIRA AND FMF KTM FACTORY RACING MAKE IT BACK-TO-BACK NGPC WINS IN BLYTHE
Round 2 of the 2026 National Grand Prix Championship (NGPC) saw FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Dante Oliveira make it back-to-back victories to open the new season, securing the Pro Class win in Blythe, California. In addition, FMF KTM Factory Racing teammates Johnny Girroir and Grant Davis launched into the U.S. Sprint Enduro Series with a 1-2 finish in Climax, Georgia.
NATIONAL GRAND PRIX CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 2
Six-time NGPC title-holder Dante Oliveira entered the Gold Rush Grand Prix with momentum on side following his series-opening victory in Delano, launching the 11-lap race from third position in the early stages onboard the KTM 450 XC-F.
Engaged in a race-long battle with his championship rivals, the 25-year-old Californian took the lead on lap eight and controlled the remainder of the race to claim a second-consecutive victory, recording a total time of 1:33:57.
Oliveira’s winning start to the 2026 season places him on a perfect 60 points entering Round 3, set to take place at the iconic Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California, between February 27-March 1.
Dante Oliveira: “The race was awesome – it was a brutal track, pretty nasty and demanding. We took off and were sprinting hard. I was there in around third place for a while, and then chased down both Mateo [Oliveira] and Justin [Hoeft], putting in a charge to try make the pass on both of them. Once I established a bit of a gap at the front – maybe with three laps to go – I was able to relax a little bit, and to come away with another win! I’m stoked. It was a clean race overall and I’m looking forward to Glen Helen next up.”
Pro Class Results
1. Dante Oliveira, FMF KTM Factory Racing
2. Justin Hoeft, Kawasaki
3. Mateo Oliveira, Husqvarna
U.S. SPRINT ENDURO SERIES – ROUND 1
Also in action over the weekend were FMF KTM Factory Racing trio Johnny Girroir, Grant Davis, and Brandy Richards on the East Coast, who commenced their U.S. Sprint Enduro campaigns at the Southland Sprint at Climax Motorsports Park.
Girroir and Davis were exceptional aboard their KTM 350 XC-F FACTORY EDITION machines at the head of the field, leading the way to a 1-2 finish in the Pro 1 Class after the 12 tests contested this weekend. It was a positive start for both riders to commence season 2026.
Johnny Girroir: “I had a good first round of Sprint Enduro – with some ups and downs – although that is to be expected at Round 1 of the new season. Overall, I’m stoked with the result and starting the new year like this – thanks to the team for all their support!”
Grant Davis: “We had a solid start to the new season, a podium is always nice and the result was good for Round 1 of the Sprint Enduro. There was a lot to learn and I am excited to keep building as the year goes on.”
For Richards, she was competitive throughout the entire weekend, claiming multiple test victories equipped with her KTM 350 XC-F FACTORY EDITION that resulted in a hard-fought P2 result to begin the Pro Women’s series with a podium.
Brandy Richards: “I had an okay weekend at the first round of U.S. Sprint Enduro. I felt really good on the high-speed and flowy test, but really struggled with comfort in the enduro test. I made a few too many mistakes, which led to a close second place on the weekend. I’m ready to get back to the drawing board to come back swinging for the second round!”
Round 2 of the AMA U.S. Sprint Enduro Series will take place with the Mac Daddy’s XC Paradise event in Hephzibah, Georgia, from February 21-22.
Pro 1 Class Results
1. Johnny Girroir, FMF KTM Factory Racing
2. Grant Davis, FMF KTM Factory Racing
3. Liam Draper, Yamaha
Pro Women Results
1. Danielle McDonald, Yamaha
2. Brandy Richards, FMF KTM Factory Racing
3. Ellie Winland, Yamaha
VP Racing Fuels, Inc. Returns as Official Fuel of American Flat Track
Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, announced today that VP Racing Fuels, Inc. will continue as the Official Fuel Supplier of Progressive AFT for the 2026 season. This marks the seventh consecutive year of collaboration, underscoring the strength and longevity of the partnership.
“The partnership we’ve built with VP Racing Fuels, Inc. over the past seven seasons has been exceptional,” said Gene Crouch, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. “Their commitment to our series and to the paddock is unwavering, and it continues to make a meaningful impact on our sport. We’re excited to carry that momentum into 2026 and look forward to another successful year working alongside the VP team.”
For 2026, Progressive AFT will transition to VP Racing’s T4+ as the spec fuel for the entire series. Replacing the C10 racing fuel used in previous years, T4+ offers a triple advantage for competitors: it lowers costs for race teams, delivers premium performance, and is widely available at powersports dealerships across the country. Designed for stock or modified 4‑stroke engines, T4+ also provides riders with improved throttle response and up to 2% more power over T4 — benefits that align closely with the demands of flat track competition. This shift further connects the high‑performance world of professional flat track with everyday riders by aligning competition fuel with a product available nationwide.
“VP Racing Fuels, Inc. is excited to continue our partnership with American Flat Track,” said Bruce Hendel, senior vice president of VP Racing Fuels, Inc. “Introducing T4+ will offer better performance and easier access for competitors, thanks to its availability at powersports dealers across the country.”
Since 1975, VP Racing Fuels, Inc. has powered more winners across two and four wheels than any other brand. Now celebrating more than 50 years as the World Leader in Fuel Technology®, the company continues to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to innovation and to the growth of Progressive American Flat Track.
For more information, please visit VP Racing Fuels at https://vpracingfuels.com.
The 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season debuts at the Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA I & II at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, March 5 and Friday, March 6.
To purchase Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA I & II tickets, visit: https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack.
Watch every race live on https://www.floracing.com.
Grab the latest Grand National Championship gear at the American Flat Track online store at https://shop.americanflattrack.com.
For more information on Progressive American Flat Track visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.
Christina Denney Named Women’s Motocross Championship (WMX) Series Director
Today, on National Girls & Women in Sports Day, MX Sports Pro Racing has announced that industry veteran Christina Denney will once again oversee the Women’s Motocross Championship Powered by Synchrony (WMX) as WMX Series Director. This comes on the heels of the declaration just last month that the WMX will join the SMX LeagueTM beginning with the 2026 season. Denney served an integral role in the WMX’s return alongside the Pro Motocross Championship last summer, which led to unprecedented growth for the WMX that paved the way for January’s milestone announcement at AIMExpo.
“Christina’s presence within the industry spans well over a decade. She has contributed significantly in a variety of roles to become one of the most highly regarded members in the motocross community,” said Carrie Coombs Russell, CEO, MX Sports Pro Racing. “We’re fortunate to have someone who not only understands both the business and competitive side of the sport but also brings a personal investment in mentoring our athletes. Christina understands that this is a community that benefits greatly when we work together and she has fostered an environment that has allowed the WMX to flourish.”
Denney (right) joined WMX racer Mikayla Nielsen (center) and Synchrony’s Susan Medrano (left) for the landmark WMX announcement in January at AIMExpo.
Denney’s journey to WMX Series Director dates back to the turn of the millennium, when she and her husband, Chris, founded Roost MX Graphics and began working closely with race teams and athletes at both the amateur and professional level. It is here where she learned the intricacies of the industry and the dynamics of race team operations, which ultimately led to a groundbreaking opportunity to become team manager of Cycle Trader/Rock River Yamaha beginning with the 2009 season. As the sport’s first and only female team manager, Denney became a pioneer for women in motocross and led the team’s ascension over the next decade into an elite satellite effort that was home to well-known racers like Kyle Chisholm, Justin Cooper, Alex Martin, and Colt Nichols. During that time, Denney also became team coordinator for the AMA U.S. Motocross Team and continues in that role to this day. Currently, Denney serves as an AMA Rider Representative and has taken on the role of team coordinator for the U.S. team at the annual FIM Women’s Motocross Cup, while also assisting the SMX Next program as a coach and instructor for the Scouting Moto Combines.
“Being part of the growth of WMX is deeply personal to me. As Series Director, it’s about more than racing—it’s about creating space for women to be seen, supported, and believed in,” said Denney. “Before this role, I was the first woman in the U.S. to serve as a team manager, building a privateer team from nothing and learning what it truly takes to lead. Every challenge and lesson along the way prepared me for this moment. I never imagined I’d be part of something this powerful, but helping grow this movement in women’s motorsports has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.”
Last year, Denny (third from left) helped lead a talented American lineup of WMX racers to a runner-up finish at the FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Cup with a U.S. team comprised of (left to right)
Jordan Jarvis, Jamie Astudillo, Kyleigh Stallings, Lachlan Turner, and Mikayla Nielsen.
In addition to all her significant contributions to American motocross, Denney plays an active role in bringing awareness and advocating for women’s motocross on a global scale as the AMA representative for the FIM Women’s Commission (CFM). This weekend, she will attend the annual FIM Commissions Conference in Lyon, France, where she will showcase the incredible success and rapid growth of the WMX Championship. With the success and attention generated by international talent like Australia’s Charli Cannon here in the states, the WMX is poised to become a destination for the most elite female talent on the planet.
“Serving on the CFM for a second year as a representative of the AMA has been a defining part of my growth in the women’s sports space. The women on this commission have played a meaningful role in shaping my perspective and pushing me to think bigger,” Denney added. “After attending my first commission meeting last February, I knew I needed to take action back home in the U.S., and that moment set this journey in motion. Being asked to represent the AMA has been a true honor, and I’ve worked hard to contribute in a way that creates real impact. What’s happened in just one year has exceeded anything I imagined, and it’s only been possible through the support, collaboration, and commitment of an incredible group of people. It’s truly been a team effort.”
As an AMA Rider Representative, Denney travels to the most high-profile amateur and professional motocross events in the country to serve as an advocate and liaison for competitors on behalf of the sanctioning body, where celebrated racers like Ezra Lusk (pictured) are her colleagues.
The Women’s Motocross Championship Powered by Synchrony will hold six races for the 2026 season, with each held in conjunction with the Pro Motocross Championship. The summer campaign will begin with the Hangtown Motocross Classic in California (June 5-6), followed by the Thunder Valley National in Colorado (June 12-13) and the High Point National in Pennsylvania (June 19-20) before a midseason break gives way to a stretch run at the Unadilla National in New York (August 14-15), the Budds Creek National in Maryland (August 21-22), and the Ironman National Finals in Indiana (August 28-29).
For more information on the WMX series, visit the official website at www.RaceWMX.com or call (304) 284-0101. Join the conversation on the series Facebook page, follow us on Instagram, and be sure to always hashtag #RaceWMX.
SUZUKI’S KEN ROCZEN EARNS THIRD PODIUM RESULT OF SEASON AT HOUSTON SUPERCROSS
Round Four of the 17-Round Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship delivered the season’s first Triple Crown race and the first event inside a domed stadium. Triple Crown events combine results from three Races, each 12-minutes plus one lap in the 450SX Class, to determine the event’s overall standings. Long ruts through corner exits on the track inside NRG Stadium rewarded precise technique; The Houston Supercross was a test of minimizing mistakes through the rhythm sections rather than pushing the envelope of outright speed.
Race Highlights:
- Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear Ecstar Suzuki
- 450 Class
- Ken Roczen dominated Race 1 and earned third place overall with (1-5-4) Race scores.
- 450 Class
- Twisted Tea Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance
- 450 Class
- Jason Anderson led laps in Race 3 and racked up (6-7-5) Race scores to earn sixth overall.
- Colt Nichols delivered season-best qualifying results and moved up one position in the championship standings.
- 450 Class
Ken Roczen (94) holeshot and led Race 1 from start to finish. He battled to within one pass of the event overall victory during a thrilling Race 3.
Ken Roczen (94) held a tight inside line in the first corner of Race 1; he nabbed the holeshot and quickly put a comfortable gap on the field. Roczen held strong under mid-race pressure and never relinquished the lead. Roczen spent the early laps of Race 2 recovering from a ninth-place start. Roczen made several passes early, and with two laps to go nearly took over fourth place until a small mistake in a rhythm relegated him to fifth place. Entering Race 3, Roczen was tied for the win in event points. When the gate dropped, Roczen bumped another rider down the start straight and emerged from the first turn in 11th spot. Then on the opening lap Roczen had a very close call with a mid-air collision over the finish line jump. Roczen kept it on two wheels and moved quickly into fourth place, where he held the event overall score in points. A small mistake in a rhythm section midway through the Race cost Roczen the spot that changed his overall event position to third in Houston.
“I was comfortable on the track [early], although when the racing came around the track was pretty sketchy; it was very high-speed and we had a couple odd obstacles that enhanced that a little bit,” said Roczen. “I started off the first Race with the holeshot, or a near holeshot. [From there I] was in the lead the whole time and was able to win that one. That felt really good to start the night off with a good result like that. The second Race was a little bit tougher, as I didn’t get off the gate as well. But I was able to ride my way up to fifth, and we ended up finishing there. That it made it tight for the for the overall going into Race three; I was tied with [one rider], and [another rider] was two points behind me… I knew what I had to do and where I had to be [at the checkered flag] to be able to pull off the overall. There was a lot of madness going on in that last one. Going over the finish line jump on the first lap [I had] a near-collision and it was very sketchy, but we all got out of it good. Then the battle started. In the middle of the Race, I lost a couple of spots because I missed the rhythm section, and I ended up being right behind [the rider I was tied with in event points]. Unfortunately, that put us from first to third [overall]. I don’t want to complain, because it is a podium, but it is tough when [a win is] right in front of you and you just didn’t get it. Nonetheless, we’re happy to finish it off healthy here on the podium. The championship is looking really good, too.”
Jason Anderson (21) led laps and racked up several fastest-Sector times over the three-race format of the Houston Supercross.
Jason Anderson (21) battled just outside of the top five in Race 1 and was never far off the pace of the race leader, his Suzuki teammate. On the third lap Anderson posted the fasted time through Sector 1 of the track. In the second Race, Anderson arrived first at the first corner, but an outside gate pick put him outside in the corner and he crossed the holeshot stripe in second. Anderson put in strong laps, posted the fastest time through Sector 1, and carded seventh place. Anderson then went on a charge in Race 3; after crossing the holeshot stripe in third place, he pushed his way into the lead. Anderson led several laps and posted the fastest Sector 2 time; on the final lap he again nabbed the fastest Sector 1 time when the track was at its toughest.
“I feel like my speed is better than what my result shows. We fought hard, ended up sixth overall, and I was one point out of fourth,” stated Anderson. “So, it would have been nice to be able to stay in the top five, but we’ll keep working and see if we can get there next weekend; but obviously we want to be further up even than that.”
It was ‘mission accomplished’ in Houston for Colt Nichols (45), who improved his morning performance with season-best results in both qualifying sessions and the overall qualifying standings.
Colt Nichols (45) entered the night’s racing with his best speed of the year, but unfortunately emerged from the first turn of Race 1 well outside of the top 15. After dropping back a few more positions early, Nichols put on an incredible charge that took him past eight other riders. Nichols was off to a strong start in Race 2 with a top ten spot at the holeshot stripe. Nichols battled inside the top ten on the opening lap. Approximately four laps later Nichols had a tip over that cost him ten spots. In Race 3 Nichols earned another top-ten start and used fast, consistent times to deliver a top-15 Race result.
“It was a much better day for me, start to finish; the results don’t show it, but practice was way better. I was single digit [in qualifying] for a long time, and ended up qualifying overall P-13,” said Nichols. “In the first Race I got 13th. In the second Race I crashed and then just could not get going; I had a really bad finish there. And then in the third Race I got out of the gate a lot better and then just didn’t quite ride like I wanted to for the first few laps. We have some stuff to work on, per usual, but I feel like I’m in a much better spot; I’m finally knocking the sickness I had, so we’ll be good to go for next weekend.”
“It was a good night in Houston; back on the podium for Ken Roczen with a great ride for the win in the first Race,” reported Dustin Pipes, Principal for the Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance Team. “We were just a couple mistakes away from a win, and the riding was great. Jason Anderson continues to improve as well with a sixth place. He’s getting great starts and putting himself in position to succeed. Although the results won’t show it because of a fall in the second race, Colt Nichols’ day was much improved as well. Phoenix is up next and it’s a venue that’s been good to us in the past.”
The Supercross schedule next takes the riders to State Farm Stadium in Glendale Arizona on Saturday, February 7th. The Suzuki riders and team members are excited about the successes in Houston and will keep the strong momentum going into the Glendale round.
For the latest team updates, news, and race insights, visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/Motocross or HEPMotorsports.com.
Caden Dudney Scores First SMX Next Win in Houston
It was another standout night for the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing squad as Monster Energy AMA Supercross returned to NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Kicking off one of three victory celebrations for the team that evening was Caden Dudney, who earned his first-career SMX Next victory.
Last weekend at the opening round, Dudney showed grit and determination with a hard-earned runner-up finish. Coming shy of the win only added fuel to the fire, and Dudney came out strong from the start in Houston, topping both qualifying sessions. Although he did not get off the gate as he had hoped in the main event, it was a strong start around sixth. He then quickly went to work, making passes in the opening laps and claiming the lead on Lap 4. From there, he rode a strong pace to earn his first victory in the class.
“Yeah, it was a pretty good day,” Dudney said. “I was P1 in both qualifying sessions, then got off to an alright start. It was kind of scary being back there with everyone, but I made a few passes early on and tried to ride my own race – keeping nice, clean laps throughout the race, and trying not to make any mistakes. I was close last weekend, so I had to get some redemption and put in the work, and here we are.”
Also returning to the podium for the second weekend running was Landen Gordon. The team’s newest addition to their program once again showed fight, steadily charging forward from eighth. Gordon worked his way into podium contention in the closing laps, briefly reaching second before a late mistake dropped him back to third, still delivering Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing a double-podium.
“I had a decent day in Houston,” said Gordon. “I felt pretty good all day and qualified third. I started around 10th in the main and worked my way up to second, then made a few mistakes and fell back to third. It’s good to get another podium, and we’ll keep on building for the next one.”
Coming off a win at Anaheim 2, their teammate Kayden Minear was looking to add another to his tally, but unfortunately his day ended early with a crash in the second session of qualifying.
“I had a good start to the day and was feeling really good on the bike, but had an unfortunate incident and couldn’t line up in the main event,” Minear said. “I’m looking forward to Daytona.”
“It was another great night for our team in SMX Next,” said Wil Hahn, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 250 Team General Manager. “Caden rode great all day, and Landon worked his way through the pack well. It was awesome to come away with a double podium. I’m proud of the entire team and the work they continue to put in.”
Deegan Delivers a Triple Crown Sweep in Houston
n 2023, a 17-year-old Haiden Deegan made his Monster Energy AMA Supercross debut in Houston, Texas. Three years later, the Californian returned to NRG Stadium as a five-time Monster Energy SMX World Championship titleholder—and left with another emphatic victory to further strengthen his 250SX West title defense.
After earning fastest qualifier honors for the third time this season, Deegan grabbed the holeshot in the opening moto and controlled the race from the front, remaining unchallenged to take the win. In the second moto, he got a top-five start and wasted no time charging forward, moving into third on the opening lap before taking the lead with four laps to go. The result put him firmly in control of the overall heading into the final race of the night.
In Moto 3, Deegan got another strong start, slotting into third behind teammate Max Anstie. He made the pass for second four laps into the moto, and took over the lead on the following lap. From there, he managed the race up front to complete a perfect evening in Houston, earning his first-career Triple Crown sweep and his 10th victory in the 250SX class. The reigning 250SX West Champion now heads to Round 4 riding a three-race win streak and a 19-point advantage in the standings.
“Yeah, tonight was another perfect day, so that was awesome,” said Deegan. “Being P1 in qualifying was huge. It was a Triple Crown, so qualifying is pretty much a heat race. I had a good gate pick and rocketed out to a holeshot in that first race, and kind of set the tone. Then, the next two, I was able to get a pretty good start around the top three and get to the lead. Going 1-1-1 on the night for my first ever triple crown sweep – that’s cool.”
It was a challenging start to the first Triple Crown of the season for Anstie, but the British rider showed poise and ended the evening on a high note. After going down in the first moto and charging from the back to finish 10th, Anstie rebounded in Moto 2, moving from 15th on the opening lap to sixth at the checkered flag. In the final moto, he got a great start and slotted into second, where he ran until being passed by Deegan, but later reclaimed the position with a pass on Max Vohland. His 10-6-2 score earned him sixth overall and moved him back into second in the championship standings.
“It was a tough night, but the last moto was better,” Anstie said. “I went down in the first one and came out 10th, then in the second moto, I got a bad start and got to sixth. The last one, I had a decent start and rode around in second. It’s not my best work, but we’ll go to work this week and come back swinging in Phoenix.”
Michael Mosiman had a strong start to the Triple Crown in Houston, but would later face challenges. He was sixth in the opening moto and quickly worked his way to fourth by Lap 2, where he would finish. Unfortunately, the second moto saw the Californian go down on the opening lap and rejoin at the back of the field. He charged forward in the latter half of the race to finish 14th. Then in the final moto, Mosiman got a solid start in fifth but dropped back to ninth early and ultimately finished eighth. His 4-14-8 score secured eighth overall on the night, placing him third in the championship standings.
“It was a tough night in Houston,” said Mosiman. “It started out solid in qualifying and the first main event, but in the second race, I fell early and struggled to get the bike started. I was able to work my way back some, but that mistake was costly. Then the last moto, I struggled to find a flow. Eighth overall was not the night I was hoping for, but there is a lot to learn from tonight, and I will make better decisions going forward. That’s how progress is made.”
With two rounds remaining before the 250SX East region kicks off, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing continues to enjoy a stellar start to the 250SX West season. The team has claimed victories at all four rounds, with all three riders currently sitting inside the top three in the championship standings.
“It was a great night for the entire team, winning all three classes,” said Wil Hahn, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 250 Team General Manager. “Everyone deserves this after all the hard work we put in. We’ve got a couple more rounds of West before heading East, and we’re in a great spot in the championship. We’re going to keep working to keep this going.”
Next weekend, the team heads to Glendale, Arizona, for Round 5 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the Monster Energy SMX World Championship series at State Farm Stadium on February 7.
Cooper Webb Back on Top in Texas
After Anaheim 2, it was palpable that Cooper Webb could feel his championship hopes slipping away. The pressure was on, but few riders respond to pressure like Webb. One week later, the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider was standing on top of the podium at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, delivering a clutch victory at the first Monster Energy AMA Supercross Triple Crown event of the season.
“It feels amazing,” Webb said. “It’s been a really tough month – mentally, physically, and emotionally… It’s never over, like I said last week. I thought it was a nail in the coffin, but that’s why I’m proud of myself. It’s a Cooper Webb move right there, to come back a week later and put myself in position to win.”
Second on the all-time Triple Crown win list with six victories, Webb is no stranger to success with the three-race format. In the opening moto, he got a solid top-five start and fought his way to a fourth-place finish. He backed that up with another strong start to the second moto in fourth, fighting all the way to the end and crossing the line second to put him in contention for the overall victory.
The final moto nearly unraveled early. Webb was fifth on the opening lap when a mistake after the finish-line jump dropped him back to eighth. He quickly recovered to seventh and then launched a charge around the halfway point, making his way through to third in just a couple of laps. Calm under pressure, Webb held the position to the checkered flag, securing the overall victory with a 4-2-3 score and earning his 31st-career Supercross win. It was a championship-caliber ride that gave Webb’s title defense a much-needed boost, and he leaves Texas fifth in the standings, just 17 points off the lead.
“Qualifying went a lot better, a lot smoother, and then it was just a very consistent, solid night of racing,” Webb said, looking back on the day. “I rode really well all night and put myself in a good situation. The last one got a little hairy. I made a big mistake on the finish line jump on the first lap, and got pushed back. Then I made some good passes and put myself in position to get the win. It’s a sigh of relief for myself and the team. I’m just motivated to keep this feeling going.”
His teammate Justin Cooper continued to make progress, even if the results didn’t show on paper. In the first moto, he was 12th after the start and made his way to ninth before the halfway mark, where he would finish. The New Yorker got a much better start to the second moto, slotting in fifth behind Webb. It was a multi-rider fight with Cooper battling for position, ultimately moving into fourth and holding off challenges to finish there.
Another difficult start in the final race of the evening saw Cooper get pushed wide and in 16th after the opening lap. Undeterred, he put his head down and steadily worked his way through to 12th to end the night ninth overall with a 9-4-12 score.
“It was a tough day overall, but we learned a lot today, and we can take a lot of positives going into the next few races,” Cooper said. “I feel like this race went way better than the previous one, and there were improvements. I’ve just got to fine-tune some areas and will be ready to go racing again.”
“It was a good day overall,” said Rich Simmons, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 450 Team Manager. “We had press day yesterday, and we found a few things with the bike that we could improve on and made some changes today. With this being the Triple Crown, it’s important to be consistent, and Webb’s the king of consistency. He rode his butt off. That last moto, after landing on the back side of the finish and coming through to third – it was a clutch performance. Justin got a good start in there, and he skimmed the whoops pretty much all day, so big improvements on his side, too. It was a much-needed win for the team, and we’ll move on to the next one.”
The team heads to Glendale, Arizona, next weekend for Round 5 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the Monster Energy SMX World Championship series at State Farm Stadium on February 7.
Late Race Charge Caps Strong Night for Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati in Houston
The Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing Team took on Round 4 of the AMA Supercross Championship in Houston, Texas, marking the first stop outside of California and the first Triple Crown event of the 2026 season. With three gate drops and a fast, demanding track, the Houston Supercross delivered cold conditions and intense racing that challenged riders and teams in new ways.
The Houston track proved to be one of the fastest of the season so far, with extremely quick lap times across the field and conditions that tested both rider and machine. Early in the day, the team struggled to find the ideal setup, resulting in a difficult first qualifying session where Dylan Ferrandis posted the 15th fastest time. Continued adjustments paid off in the second session, where Ferrandis improved to 9th, showing clear progress as the track developed.
Ferrandis lined up for the first Triple Crown moto and delivered his best start of the night, coming around the opening lap in 8th. While battling within a tightly packed group just outside the top ten, he dropped back as far back as 14th during intense mid-race exchanges. Refusing to give in, Ferrandis charged forward, regained multiple positions, and crossed the line in 11th. In Moto 2, Ferrandis faced his toughest start of the evening, crossing the holeshot line in 16th, but immediately put his head down and began pushing forward. Running faster lap times than the riders ahead of him, he carved through the field, moving into 12th on the opening lap and continuing his charge to finish 10th, earning one of the biggest position gains of the race. Entering Moto 3 determined to finish strong, Ferrandis once again fought from mid-pack after starting 13th on the first lap. Showing increased comfort and confidence on his Ducati Desmo450 MX, he made key passes to break into the top ten by lap nine. With aggression and calculated race craft, Ferrandis advanced to 8th with three laps remaining and executed a decisive last-lap pass to secure 7th at the checkered flag. His consistent improvement across the three races resulted in a 10th overall finish for the night.
“I think my first moto was just bad. I got a good start, but I was fighting with the bike and myself a little bit and was not very comfortable in the first laps and made a lot of mistakes,” said Dylan Ferrandis. “My starts were not very good, but by the last moto I had a better feeling on the bike and I think we started to really get a very good base, chassis-wise. This week we need to work and improve on starts as we keep learning the bike. I feel super good and super comfortable, but when you’re out there with so much competition, you have to have the mind, the body, the bike, everything perfect to fight with these boys.”
With a solid setup direction established in the final moto and continued progress shown throughout the day, the Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing Team leaves Houston motivated and confident as the AMA Supercross Championship moves on to the next round in Glendale, Arizona.
