Defending 250 SuperMotocross World Champion Haiden Deegan opens the Playoffs with a 1-1 moto finish in Charlotte.
And Deegan still has his learning cap tight on his head.
“(Those) were not great starts,” Deegan shared during the post-race press conference. “I felt kind of off. Definitely going back to the drawing board, watch tape and figure out what I need to get better at.”
At the ZMax Dragway, most famous for its four-wide drag races, Feld Entertainment and MX Sports Pro Racing combined the best riders in 2024 from both indoor Supercross and outdoor Motocross for their sophomore World Championship season.
The track and bikes are also a hybrid of both disciplines to bring a unique challenge to the best riders in the world.
“There are definitely technical lines that you have to find,” continued Deegan. “That’s what’s cool about SuperMotocross. You’re mixing in some things that we’re not used to. It’s tricky out there.”
Deegan had to hold off the rising star Julien Beaumer in Moto 1 and the 250SX West championship runner-up Levi Kitchen in Moto 2. All three ended up on the overall podium earning a better average finish despite Jo Shimoda and Max Anstie earning moto podium finishes.
For Beaumer, it was his first career podium in the 250 premier class – he earned two career victories in the 250 Supercross Futures last season before graduating a rank higher. The AMA Monster Energy 250 Supercross Rookie of the Year shared how he adapted quickly to the learning curve of the SuperMotocross stage.
“Being up front with those guys, you learn a lot,” Beaumer stated. “I’ve been riding good at home (during practice), just not executing on Saturdays. I felt like I’ve been gaining confidence and getting two good starts, it’s what we wanted.”
Kitchen earned six combined victories in Supercross and Motocross this year in the 250 division, including his first career outdoor victory at Spring Creek.
Despite erasing his holeshot from the first Moto 1 start and losing the lead late in Moto 2, his season’s momentum carried into the Playoffs with his first career podium overall in Charlotte.
“I felt okay. Bummer for me after the restart. That was a kick in the nuts.”
Carson Mumford and Cameron McAdoo claimed the final two starting positions from their Last Chance Qualifier finishes. They finished 17th and eighth respectively.
Jalek Swoll crashed on the initial Moto 1 start and required medical attention, bringing out the only red flag for the day.
Round 2 of the triage of Playoff races will be next Saturday at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth on September 14. Opening ceremonies begin at 1:30 p.m. local time.