Haiden Deegan finally checked the key box on the first step of his 450 career goals by winning his first race on a 450 in a dominant display in the mud! Deegan went 1-1 at Columbus in the mud in a brilliant rider and put himself only two points behind Jorge Prado in the championship and right in the mix to win a championship in his first 450 season.
Immediately after the race Deegan showed just how much it meant to him in the TV broadcast, saying: “It’s a dream come true. I just won a 450 race, this is crazy. I want to give a big thanks to my team, my family, this is insane. I can’t express how happy I am, it’s such a weight off the shoulders. You dream of moments like this and I’m so grateful to get it done. Especially on a day where these guys have a lot of experience in the mud. I’m glad I could pull it off in these conditions. It was a damn good ride, it definitely gives me some confidence and I already have a lot of confidence but it takes a bit of weight off the shoulders, I’ve been looking for this one, I’m so happy.”
In the press conference Deegan added: “I feel like the trend in my career is kind of slow but steady and It really paid off, right? Even though it was a mud race today We’re still going against the best guys to ever do it Especially a lot of guys heading towards the end of their careers, too So we’re getting a lot of 450 champions that I’m able to battle and learn from and definitely some weight off the shoulders. It was a really nice to get it done.
On dealing with the mud: “I mean you kind of just send it really! If there’s ruts up the lip, you just kind of pray and really got to be strong. I feel like that’s why I was able to get it done today, partially it was just my strength, I was able to manhandle that bike around and although it didn’t sound like it or sometimes look like it, was able to run my gear up, be strong around the track, keeping on two wheels all day and just consistently hit everything around the track.”
Deegan also admitted he has had to work his way into the 450 class, forcing him to wait longer than he wanted for the win: “Definitely reps helps a lot getting used to that bike. It’s heavier faster. My body’s growing into it I’m still growing a muscle wise so we’re trying to get stronger there But it’s really just a time thing and you know being consistent with it and letting it come, you know I don’t want to rush anything day by day And
“I know what the future holds if I’m smart and keep taking these races off round by round I’ve proven in the 250 class. I really I never missed a race and I ended up winning six championships so Obviously you want to come out there and light the world on fire and win your first race or win within the first ten races But sometimes I ain’t gonna happen. So you take it slow and steady and you eventually get to the point where you’re winning.”
And Haiden is excited for Supercross last year believing the Yamaha suits the indoors better than the outdoors! “I’m excited for the upcoming supercross season for sure I know there’s a supercross track even practice yesterday like just felt good I know it doesn’t really mean anything since practice but ran the fastest time just little things like that that get me excited for supercross and Be honest that Yamaha 450 I’d say it’s a better supercross bike as of now We’ll keep working on outdoors, but soon as I hopped on it It was just kind of felt comfortable. My bike turns really well So I feel like it definitely goes towards the super outside a little better And it’s just gonna kind of still be a little work in progress on the outdoor side.”
On having the chance to win a 450 SMX title, Deegan was very measured with no outlandish comments: “Yeah, I mean your goal is always to win a championship but I feel like it’s I’ve been good at through my career taking it race by race and week by week and Making the goal.
“Let’s show up to every round and you know Put our put the hardest work in when we get to the race and fight every lap Not give up is kind of been my big thing is that’s how I feel like I’ve progressed is I’ve fought every single lap I’ve been on the track. So just continue to do that. And if the championships there, you know, that’s nice A lot of money and a 450 championship so against a lot of good dudes But again, we still got I think four motos left and just take it race by race and hopefully keep ticking these off.”
“I feel like the future holds some great things if we just keep on staying consistent and grinding my program out and obviously I mean it showed quick, it’s a mud race but we still just beat all the best dudes I kind of like to race and train with that really nothing to lose attitude. Like, if I don’t get it done, I don’t have anything to lose and if I do. I don’t have anything to lose really. I just go out there do my thing and I feel like as I’m maturing a little bit.
“I’m just kind of really enjoying the process of training enjoying the process of racing, getting better each and every week and I think it’s, I mean, it’s hard for you guys to see, but like the maturity level is definitely gone up a lot. I feel like I’m kind of getting out of that kid act now and I’m just really trying to get better and better, and that’s my main thing right now.”
