The 450 Class: Riders and Storylines
The 450 class is the crown jewel of Lucas Oil Pro Motocross 2026, and the conversation starts and ends with Jett Lawrence. The Honda HRC rider is the defending champion and has looked as dominant outdoors as anyone in recent memory. Aboard his Honda CRF450R, Lawrence combines corner speed with a remarkable ability to manage a full 30-plus two-moto day. Beating him over a full 12-round season is a tall order, but a handful of elite riders are ready to try.
Chase Sexton made the move to KTM for 2026 and arrives as the most dangerous title contender on the gate. Sexton's fitness and raw speed have always been elite, and the factory KTM outdoor package gives him a legitimate weapon. We put together a full breakdown of what gear Chase Sexton runs in 2026, including his complete Alpinestars setup, if you want to dial in your kit to match. Beyond the bike, Sexton's consistency across different soil types makes him the rider most capable of stringing together the overall wins needed to challenge Lawrence's points lead.
Jason Anderson brings championship experience and a never-quit riding style that thrives in the physical grind of outdoor racing. On Kawasaki, Anderson is capable of winning on any given Sunday. Cooper Webb arrives with Yamaha Star Racing and presents an interesting wild card. Webb is a technical rider who has historically excelled on hard-pack tracks like Unadilla and Thunder Valley. If the 2026 calendar suits his strengths, do not be surprised to see him on the podium deep into the summer. Ken Roczen rounds out a veteran presence in the class, bringing the kind of experience that can be decisive in championship swings.
Whichever rider you are cheering for, gearing up matters. Browse the dirt bike gear the pros run at BTO Sports and find jerseys, pants, and protection from the same brands on the gate every weekend.
The 250 Class: Riders and Emerging Talent
If the 450 class is the main event, the 250 class is where the future of the sport is being written right now. Haiden Deegan on Yamaha is easily the most talked-about young name in motocross right now. Son of freestyle legend Brian Deegan, Haiden has backed up the hype with raw speed and a competitive drive that goes beyond the family name. A 250 title push from Deegan in 2026 would be one of the most anticipated storylines in recent memory, and watching how he handles pressure rounds mid-season will tell us a lot about his championship ceiling.
Tom Vialle is the wild card who should not be underestimated. The French KTM rider is a former FIM MXGP World Champion making a serious run at US racing. Adapting to American-style tracks and the two-moto format takes time, but Vialle's technical precision and corner speed translate well to the natural-terrain courses on the Pro Motocross calendar. Levi Kitchen fills the role of consistent podium threat. Kitchen does not always generate the headlines, but his results hold up across different track conditions, making him a genuine factor in the points standings by the time the series reaches the East Coast rounds.
No matter which 250 rider you follow, the same gear brands these athletes trust are available at BTO Sports. From helmets to boots, we stock what is on the gate.
2026 Pro Motocross Schedule: Key Tracks and What Makes Each Round Unique
The 2026 AMA Pro Motocross schedule follows the classic summer circuit that takes the series from Southern California to the Northeast and back again. Here is a look at the rounds that will define the season.
Fox Raceway at Pala (Season Opener, Southern California)
Sandy loam, deep ruts, and warm temperatures set the tone in Southern California. Fox Raceway is a technical opener that rewards riders who are sharp right out of the gate. Early points here can shape the narrative for the rounds ahead.
Thunder Valley MX (Colorado)
High altitude is the defining factor at Thunder Valley. Riders and their teams have to manage engine tuning carefully, and the physical demand at elevation separates the truly fit from the rest. Cooper Webb has historically performed well on Thunder Valley's hard-pack base.
RedBud MX (Michigan)
Independence Day weekend at RedBud is one of the great traditions in American motorsport. The crowd is enormous, the atmosphere is electric, and the track tends to produce dramatic racing across both classes. A RedBud win carries extra weight on the resume.
Southwick (Massachusetts)
Pure sand at The Wick 338 in Southwick is as challenging as it gets. Deep, loose terrain punishes riders who are not technically precise and rewards those who can read lines early in the moto. This round always produces a shakeup in the standings.
Washougal MX Park (Washington)
Varied terrain in the Pacific Northwest keeps everyone honest. Washougal tends to favor smooth, flowing riders, and the lush setting makes it one of the most scenic venues on the calendar.
Unadilla MX (New York)
Classic Northeast hard pack at Unadilla has been a proving ground for generations of champions. This is where Webb's technical style shines, and where points gaps tend to tighten as the title picture comes into focus for the final stretch of the season.
Ironman Raceway (Indiana)
Late-season heat, heavy soil, and championship stakes define Ironman. This round has delivered some of the most dramatic title outcomes in Pro Motocross history and figures to do so again in 2026.
Fox Raceway II (Season Finale, Pala)
The series closes where it opened. A return to Pala for the finale means riders who started the season well often have a mental edge, but the track conditions in September play differently than the opener. Championships have been won and lost here.
What Gear the Pros Are Running in 2026
At the professional level, every piece of equipment is chosen for performance and protection. All riders at Lucas Oil Pro Motocross 2026 are wearing top-tier certified helmets that meet or exceed DOT and ECE safety standards. If you are looking to match that level of protection, explore our full dirt bike helmet collection at BTO Sports. Not sure which lid is right for you? Our Fox V3 RS vs. Alpinestars SM10 helmet comparison is a great starting point for premium options.
For the full picture on what Chase Sexton is wearing from head to toe on his KTM in 2026, check out our detailed Chase Sexton gear breakdown. His Alpinestars setup is a reference point for riders who want to understand what top-level professional kit looks like in practice. Ready to get sized up? Use our BTO Sports sizing guide to make sure your gear fits the way the pros need it to.
How to Follow the 2026 Pro Motocross Season
NBC Sports and Peacock carry the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship in 2026. Peacock streaming gives you access to live motos, replays, and bonus content throughout the summer. NBC Sports handles broadcast coverage for select marquee rounds. For real-time updates, lap times, and points standings, the official ProMotocross.com site and the MX Sports app are the go-to resources on race days. Social media from team accounts and riders themselves fills in the behind-the-scenes detail that broadcast coverage misses.
For news, gear breakdowns, and coverage of the season as it unfolds, bookmark the BTO Sports News blog and check back regularly through the summer.
Gear Up for the 2026 Season at BTO Sports
The gate drops on the 2026 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship in late May, and there is no better time to update your gear. Whether you are chasing lap times at your local track or just want to ride in the same brands as your favorite pro, BTO Sports has everything you need. Shop the full motocross gear lineup, compare helmet options, check sizing, and gear up the right way for the summer season. We carry the helmets, jerseys, pants, boots, gloves, and protection that show up on pro grids every weekend.
Questions about sizing or fit? Our sizing guide makes it easy to order with confidence. Ride more, stress less, and follow every round of the 2026 pro motocross season knowing your kit is dialed.