There is no doubt Haiden Deegan is the guy to beat for the 2025 250 outdoor nationals. It is a question of who can match his intensity, desire to win and then ignore the mind games!
This kid has some Ricky Carmichael in him in that he can ride the edge and be comfortable doing it as he makes everyone else uncomfortable by the pressure he puts on them in terms on the pace or the mind games he plays with any rival that even dares to just think they can beat him.
Angry, motivated and prepared to do anything to win on or off track. Deegan ticks every box outdoors and his aggressive style allows him to find more speed than supercross, so who can match that?
Good morning 🔊
— Pro Motocross (@ProMotocross) May 21, 2025
(Via Haiden Deegan/IG)#SMX #ProMotocross pic.twitter.com/XaV1yNYlHM
The most obvious candidate is Tom Vialle. The Frenchman has a two MX2 world titles and now two 250 East supercross titles to his name, is the closest in raw speed to Deegan and knows how to win titles and usually has an ice cold mind under pressure. But, the only rider I have ever seen rattled Vialle in his career was Deegan outdoors last year.
Vialle always made mistakes when Deegan was around him, pushing the pace or pushing Vialle around, he got rattled and that is the issue coming into Pro Motocross – can he ride free without Deegan in his mind? Vialle is motivated, this is his last shot at a 250 MX title in the States as he has to go 450 next year, he says the bike is better so hopefully his GP starts are back, because he will need to be the complete packaged outdoors, like he was in MX2, in order to challenge Deegan. The he needs to be prepared for the Deegan fight back. But if anyone can beat Deegan for this title, Vialle ticks the most boxes to do it.
Levi Kitchen is back and usually has some great speed outdoors but he can have a few average races too and that won’t cut it against Deegan, the other question is does Levi have the extra aggression, almost anger, to compete with Deegan regularly in head-to-head battles?
Chance Hymas has a chance if his form before his knee injury last year was anything to go by. This kid is very, very good when it all comes together and the rumours suggest he is flying outdoors, working with the Lawrence family and chasing Jett around the track every day will certainly help. He is the wildcard pick to challenge Deegan, and if he does, Instagram could be as must watch as the racing on track!
His teammate Jo Shimoda, also has a lot of outdoor pace but like Kitchen, does he have the aggression and consistency to challenge Deegan in two motos every weekend?
Then there is Jeremy Martin, the recently confirmed comeback is on as the two-time 250 National champ looks to relive his glory days. It probably is too much to ask for Martin to really challenge for the title but there is no doubt he has the grit and determination that Deegan has – if he has the speed even a couple of times this outdoor season it could be a heck of a battle with his younger teammate even for a few laps!
Max Anstie may miss the start of the season due to his broken leg but, as we all know, when Anstie is feeling good he can run up front with ease. Let’s hope he is back to his best by the end of the year for MXoN!
Julien Beaumer is a bit of a question mark. Undeniable talent on a bike but not really proven outdoors just yet. That doesn’t mean he can’t find the key to success however, like a lot of supercross specialists, the bike skill is there, they just need to learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable outdoors, Beaumer has the skills, is this the year he really figures out motocross?
Another wildcard to consider is Michael Mosiman, he steadily got better in supercross and had the pace increasingly frequently as the season went on and outdoors Mosiman was always fast until injuries caught up with him. With a great bike and some confidence, Mosiman could be back in the mix.
Mikkel Haarup could be Triumph’s ace in their pack this summer, not really known in the US by some, if he brings he GP speed from last year those who haven’t heard of him will soon learn just who Mikkel Haarup is. A fast rider on a very fast bike, it could be a great combination if he is comfortable and can learn those tracks quickly. Teammate Jordon Smith is always fast but Austin Forkner will be interesting too, uninjured in supercross, can he find the speed outdoors?
Ty Masterpool is another factor to consider, he has speed but does he have the consistency? With supercross a write off, Masterpool has to deliver this summer.
And what about his teammate Drew Adams? The rookie was highly touted coming into the season but injury held him back in supercross, the kid is good and could have some stand-out rides as could Club MX Yamaha’s Alexander Fedortsov, a very confident kids who looks very fast in testing and is brave/confident enough to take Jeffrey Herlings AMA number from 2017!
But the key question remains for everyone else on the gate? Can they stand up to the class bully, Haiden Deegan?
