The 250 West Coast is a stacked field of talented riders, but the question remains, can anyone beat Haiden Deegan to the the title?
Deegan was a bit shaky last year in the early rounds as Beaumer and Davies showed their speed but ultimately it was Deegan doing whatever it took to get the title but he will want more dominance this season in what is his final championship assault on a 250 before he goes 450 full-time in AMA Motocross in May.
On paper, long-time rival Levi Kitchen and Max Anstie should be the most likely to give Deegan a run for his money. Deegan and Kitchen already have a rivalry going, they were supposed to face-off last year in the West but Kitchen got ill at A1 and switched to the East Coast then took Deegan down at SMX that ultimately led to Deegan not winning the SMX 250 championship – Deegan will not have forgotten that!
Kitchen and Anstie have proven their speed, and Anstie is coming in on form after his WSX world title but racing Deegan will be a different level. Both have the capability to push Deegan this year and take advantage of any mistakes, the question is, will Kitchen be ready to do whatever it takes to try and get in Deegan’s head?
Chance Hymas has had injury slow his progress down but when fit and confident he is impressive to watch, but in Supercross he still isn’t as proven as he is in outdoors, that might change this season.
Cameron McAdoo doesn’t lack effort, speed or dedication but he needs to try and stay injury free before he even thinks about taking on Deegan.
The same could be said of Michael Mosiman, who always has speed but crashes tend thwart his progress, let’s see if he can keep the speed but limit the mistakes in 2026.
Max Vohland has apparantly taken a big step this off-season and could be a dark horse for podiums and a great season – this kid has skills but like Hymas, the best is yet to come. 2026 might be the year.
Ryder DiFrancesco took some huge steps in 2025 until injury halted his Supercross season but DiFrancesco, like Vohland could be one to watch this year. A big winner in amateurs, DiFrancesco could be ready to do some winning in 2026.
Carson Mumford, Avery Long and especially Hunter Yoder could also spring some surprises this season but right now it is Haiden Deegan’s title to lose, everyone else has nothing to lose and everything to gain by beating the defending champ.
Star Yamaha Deegan, Anstie, Mosiman
Club Yamaha – Yoder, Vohland
Pro Circuit Kawasaki – McAdoo, Kitchen
Honda – Hymas
Husqvarna – DiFrancesco
AO KTM – Long, Mumford, Wise
