It seems likely that, after Haiden Deegan said he was hoping to win the MXoN this year, that he will finally be on team USA for the biggest race of the year and if that happens, it means he will be on the race track for the first time with Jett Lawrence! A rivalry increasing in hype as each week passes finally being unleashed at the biggest race of the year.
Yes, Jett will be on the 450 and Haiden the 250 but Antonio Cairoli and Ryan Villopoto both won motos on a 250 in the combined motos, Jorge Prado beat Eli Tomac on a 250 at RedBud when he was MX2 world champ, taking third in the combined moto. It is possible that they will find each other on the track at that race at some point and you just know Haiden would absolutely love that battle, nothing to lose and everything to gain!
But, what if Haiden wraps the 250 National title up early and moves up to a 450 for the final outdoor round giving a little preview of the future? Ricky Carmichael gave his view on the Title 24 podcast and feels it would be great experience ahead of 2026.
“One of my things that I would have done different is I would have raced the 450 or the premier class in the opposite coast in supercross,” revealed the GOAT looking back on this own career. “First and foremost, I think that everything that Haiden is doing right now, whether it’s preparation during the week, whether it’s when he’s racing at the races, he needs to be he gearing himself (for next year). You’re prepping yourself for next year. So, race simulations during the week, you need to be, on supercross, you need to be doing 20 minutes, right? Not 15 plus one lap, you need everything so you have some insurance and you are ready once you step up . You need to be doing everything just assuming you’re on the 450. So, that’s what I would do if I was coaching him, that’s what we would be working on. I think if he wrapped it up early I would I would be in support of that (moving up to a 450) with zero expectation though – that is that’s his biggest thing.
“I think it would be fun and it would give him an idea of The race pace what it’s like. There’s no simulation about it So that’s what that’s what I would do I think you know one race would be enough And just to kind of get a get a lay of the land So he’s not going into the 450 Pro Motocross championship next year blind.
But Ryan Villopoto feels it would be better to stay on the 250 for the rest of the year: “So if I’m his dad, I’m the team owner. I’m the person that’s making these decisions. I’m keeping him down and finishing out his 250 outdoor career is winning as much as he can win cash as many checks as he can cash keep him healthy for SMX and then also for for What do you call it for supercross to defend his championship for for supercross, that’s what I would do, I personally don’t see him stepping up.”
Watch the full segment below:
