Believe the hype! Haiden Deegan is the real deal whether you like him or not and, now, finally, he will be launching himself into the shark infested waters of the premier 450 class.
The headline of course is Deegan versus Jett Lawrence, the duo already do not like each other and they haven’t even raced yet! Of course, we got a slight glimpse in the 250 class when Deegan tried to rattle Hunter but this will be next level – and Hunter will be there too!
It is Australia v America and, when you add a rejuvenated Jorge Prado on the KTM who is looking like he is about to show his real GP speed outdoors, Deegan isn’t just racing against the best America has to offer like Sexton, Tomac and Webb, he is racing champions from across the globe in what will be a battle for glory and bragging rights. They all think they are the best, now it is time to prove it.
While Deegan is the most hyped rider Stateside, the Belgian Deegan is Lucas Coenen. The 19 year old almost won the MXGP world championship in his debut season last year at just 18, he won his first GP at 16 in MX2 and battled Kay de Wolf to the end at 17 for the MX2 world title in 2024. Now, Coenen is in a battle of pure speed with Jeffrey Herlings for the 2026 MXGP world championship and it has just been revealed that he will race three AMA Nationals this season with a view to going to the USA permanently in the near future.
The 2026 AMA outdoor series will be a glimpse into the future of the sport, Deegan versus the Australian Lawrence bothers, Spanish Prado and at times, the Belgian Coenen. Once Cole Davies moves up, a Kiwi will also be in the mix in what will truly be an international extravaganza for the next few years in SMX and it will be Deegan, along with Sexton, carrying the American flag as they take on the world in their backyard.
Chapter one is just days away!
