The 2026 Pro Motocross Championship burst into life under the California sunshine at Fox Raceway, with Hunter Lawrence delivering a statement ride in the 450 class while Seth Hammaker celebrated a long-awaited breakthrough in the 250 division.
Images courtesy of MX Sports Pro Racing
With one of the biggest crowds ever seen at the Pala venue, anticipation was high for the opening round of the outdoor season, and the racing certainly didn’t disappoint.
Lawrence Lays Down the Marker
After narrowly missing out on the Supercross title, Hunter Lawrence wasted no time showing he means business outdoors.
The Honda HRC Progressive rider topped qualifying before backing it up with a flawless double moto victory to claim the overall and leave Fox Raceway as the championship leader.
The opening moto saw Triumph’s Mikkel Haarup grab the holeshot and briefly lead the premier class field in a landmark moment for both rider and manufacturer. However, it wasn’t long before Lawrence moved to the front and began stretching his advantage.
Jorge Prado settled into second and looked comfortable throughout, while Chase Sexton and Justin Cooper battled over the final podium positions.
Further back, all eyes were on defending champion Jett Lawrence and rookie sensation Haiden Deegan. Both found themselves buried in the pack after poor starts and spent much of the race carving through the field. Jett eventually fought through to fourth while Deegan impressed on his 450 debut with fifth.
Out front, Hunter Lawrence was untouchable, taking the chequered flag almost nine seconds clear of Prado.
Moto two provided a similar story.
Lawrence and Prado immediately established themselves at the front, with the Spaniard briefly leading before Hunter responded and reclaimed control.
Once back in front, the Australian steadily pulled away while Jett Lawrence once again charged through the field after another difficult start.
Prado held firm for second, but Jett eventually worked his way into third to complete a strong comeback ride.
At the flag it was another convincing win for Hunter Lawrence, completing a perfect 1-1 scorecard and securing his first ever Fox Raceway sweep.
Prado’s pair of second-place finishes earned him a maiden Pro Motocross podium, while Jett salvaged third overall despite never getting near the front in either start.
The result gives Hunter Lawrence an early six-point advantage over Prado in the championship standings.
450 Overall Result
Overall_Results_988116 450
Hammaker Finally Gets His Moment
The 250 class produced one of the stories of the day as Seth Hammaker secured both his first career moto win and first overall Pro Motocross victory.
After qualifying was dominated by Kawasaki teammate Levi Kitchen, Hammaker hit the ground running in moto one by grabbing the holeshot.
Kitchen gradually worked his way forward from outside the top five and eventually capitalised on a small mistake from Hammaker to take over the lead. Once in front, Kitchen controlled proceedings to take the opening moto win ahead of Hammaker, while Supercross East Champion Cole Davies completed the podium.
Moto two proved far more dramatic.
Julien Beaumer grabbed the holeshot, while Kitchen endured a disastrous opening lap incident that dropped him outside the top 30 and left his hopes of an overall victory hanging by a thread.
At the front, Hammaker stalked Beaumer before making a decisive pass for the lead midway through the race.
From there, the Kawasaki rider never looked back, pulling clear to secure the first moto victory of his career and, with it, the overall win.
Kitchen fought back impressively from the rear of the field to salvage valuable championship points, but his hopes of victory were gone.
Behind Hammaker, teenage Yamaha star Caden Dudney impressed with a runner-up overall finish, while Davies backed up his Supercross title-winning campaign with another podium result.
The breakthrough victory sees Hammaker leave California with an early championship advantage as Kawasaki celebrates its first outdoor points lead since Adam Cianciarulo’s title-winning season in 2019.
250 Overall Result
Overall_Results_988097-250The Pro Motocross Championship now heads north to Prairie City SVRA next weekend for Round 2 of the outdoor series and Round 19 of the SMX World Championship.
