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Lurking behind the banter and bluster that served him so well on his way to winning multiple Supercross, Pro Motocross, and SuperMotocross (SMX) titles, Haiden Deegan is becoming increasingly aware of what it takes to be successful in SMX's 450 class, and the High Point National was another step in that direction.
"This is an amazing day for me," Deegan said after scoring his second overall podium in four rounds of Pro Motocross on the big bike. "I feel like slowly but surely I'm closing the gap. I feel like, I mean last week I was 30 seconds behind Jett in the second moto. This race I was like three seconds behind in the second moto. I'm getting a lot more fit. I'm catching onto what they do and it's just a matter of time."
One could reasonably suppose that Deegan believed he was capable of duplicating Jett Lawrence's feat of winning in his first Pro Motocross race on the big bike, especially since the defending champion was injured and no one knew how his ankle would response the extreme nature of the series.
A rivalry is born: Jett Lawrence versus Haiden Deegan in Fox Raceway 2026 Pro Motocross opener
With one practice session in the books, Haiden Deegan was faster than Jett Lawrence.
Poor starts contributed to an overall finish of fifth, with moto finishes of fifth and fourth. With a few exceptions, Deegan has started in the top 10 in every moto, but rarely among the top three.
"I feel like we're getting better at them so I don't want to just go the negative route on them," Deegan said after starting ninth in Moto 1 at High Point and fifth in Moto 2. "I got two good jumps, came into the first turn in the first moto second and just slid in the mud a little and got buried. And then second moto, I feel like it's a good start, got a little bit buried but I was still around fifth, sixth position, so I'm getting a little more consistent with that."
In the second moto, Deegan entered the corner parallel with the leaders, but was pushed outside in heavy traffic.
Rivalry or fuel for the fire? Early thoughts on Jett Lawrence versus Haiden Deegan
With pre-penalty moto averages of 1.83 for Jett Lawrence versus 3.67 for Haiden Deegan, can this be called a rivalry? Yes.
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Haiden Deegan has rapidly become one of the top three riders in Pro Motocross. Align Media
Round 2 in Hangtown revealed Deegan as one of the top three riders in Motocross, which is where he finds himself in the championship standings after four rounds. Jett and Hunter Lawrence have slowly pulled away from the field with 182 and 180 points respectively, but sitting in third with 144 points, Deegan has an advantage of 22 over Jorge Prado.
During some uncharacteristically reflective moments in High Point's post-race media sessions, Deegan broke down some of skills he knows he needs to develop.
"It's strictly adapting to a 450," Deegan said. "It's strictly learning the power of it, learning where to shift it, learning where it steps out here and there. It's a heavy bike; a lot of power. A 250 is a lighter bike. You can kind of send that thing a little harder where the 450, you got to respect it and taking a little bit of time, but I'm getting it."
In the 250 division, Deegan rarely needed to worry about track position on the opening lap. If he was buried in the field, he quickly worked his way to the leaders and generally had the top spot by the midway point.
Deegan has also shown strength riding through the pack on a 450.
"The more I get experience, the better I'm getting," Deegan said. "It's not becoming such a big deal. It was a really big surprise battling with those guys on point. Same thing with my 250 season. Once I got comfortable around them, got comfortable passing those guys, it became easier for me. And that's really the big thing is just getting comfortable with those guys.
"And I wouldn't say there's honestly not much difference now if you're third to sixth, seventh place, I'd say it's pretty close to how the 250 guys are. They're going for it, but really I'm just trying to close that gap to the front."
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Haiden Deegan has two overall podiums in four rounds of Pro Motocross. Align Media
Deegan also realizes that fitness requirements are different for 450 riders compared to the small bike. Manhandling the heavier bike requires more stamina. Deegan has finished better in Moto 2 in every round so far, with the exception of Hangtown's 3-3.
"I mean I feel like it's taken me four rounds to kind of catch on to that second moto, learning to find smoother lines where going slower in is going to help you in those second motos to be able to line up a good exit," Deegan said. "And it's taking me a little time to figure that out, but I feel like it's coming around quick. I'm learning it fast and it's something I got to go to the practice track too and work on as well."
And then, there are those pesky starts.
"I'd love a holeshot," Deegan said. "Just go back to work. Really keep trying to dial them in, learn the power on the start. It's a lot more power than a 250, so keeping that front down is a big deal. All you can do is just keep working towards it. But we're getting better. We're getting better."
But deep down, Deegan is still Deegan. One does not get to the 450 division with a premiere team without confidence.
"Gosh, it's getting better quick, right?" Deegan said. "I feel like last week in Colorado, I was a little tired and now this week I'm not tired at all. It's crazy how quickly I can make gains and I feel like I've always been good at that. Just being there each weekend, building myself and I feel like I've built myself up pretty well now and just keep on doing it. That's what I want to do. We got RedBud coming up and Southwick, so kind of figure out how those tracks are and keep on learning."
Continue reading...
"This is an amazing day for me," Deegan said after scoring his second overall podium in four rounds of Pro Motocross on the big bike. "I feel like slowly but surely I'm closing the gap. I feel like, I mean last week I was 30 seconds behind Jett in the second moto. This race I was like three seconds behind in the second moto. I'm getting a lot more fit. I'm catching onto what they do and it's just a matter of time."
One could reasonably suppose that Deegan believed he was capable of duplicating Jett Lawrence's feat of winning in his first Pro Motocross race on the big bike, especially since the defending champion was injured and no one knew how his ankle would response the extreme nature of the series.
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A rivalry is born: Jett Lawrence versus Haiden Deegan in Fox Raceway 2026 Pro Motocross opener
With one practice session in the books, Haiden Deegan was faster than Jett Lawrence.
- Dan Beaver
,
Poor starts contributed to an overall finish of fifth, with moto finishes of fifth and fourth. With a few exceptions, Deegan has started in the top 10 in every moto, but rarely among the top three.
"I feel like we're getting better at them so I don't want to just go the negative route on them," Deegan said after starting ninth in Moto 1 at High Point and fifth in Moto 2. "I got two good jumps, came into the first turn in the first moto second and just slid in the mud a little and got buried. And then second moto, I feel like it's a good start, got a little bit buried but I was still around fifth, sixth position, so I'm getting a little more consistent with that."
In the second moto, Deegan entered the corner parallel with the leaders, but was pushed outside in heavy traffic.
You must be registered for see images attach
Rivalry or fuel for the fire? Early thoughts on Jett Lawrence versus Haiden Deegan
With pre-penalty moto averages of 1.83 for Jett Lawrence versus 3.67 for Haiden Deegan, can this be called a rivalry? Yes.
- Dan Beaver
,
You must be registered for see images attach
Align Media
Haiden Deegan has rapidly become one of the top three riders in Pro Motocross. Align Media
How To Be The Big Three
Round 2 in Hangtown revealed Deegan as one of the top three riders in Motocross, which is where he finds himself in the championship standings after four rounds. Jett and Hunter Lawrence have slowly pulled away from the field with 182 and 180 points respectively, but sitting in third with 144 points, Deegan has an advantage of 22 over Jorge Prado.
During some uncharacteristically reflective moments in High Point's post-race media sessions, Deegan broke down some of skills he knows he needs to develop.
"It's strictly adapting to a 450," Deegan said. "It's strictly learning the power of it, learning where to shift it, learning where it steps out here and there. It's a heavy bike; a lot of power. A 250 is a lighter bike. You can kind of send that thing a little harder where the 450, you got to respect it and taking a little bit of time, but I'm getting it."
In the 250 division, Deegan rarely needed to worry about track position on the opening lap. If he was buried in the field, he quickly worked his way to the leaders and generally had the top spot by the midway point.
Deegan has also shown strength riding through the pack on a 450.
"The more I get experience, the better I'm getting," Deegan said. "It's not becoming such a big deal. It was a really big surprise battling with those guys on point. Same thing with my 250 season. Once I got comfortable around them, got comfortable passing those guys, it became easier for me. And that's really the big thing is just getting comfortable with those guys.
"And I wouldn't say there's honestly not much difference now if you're third to sixth, seventh place, I'd say it's pretty close to how the 250 guys are. They're going for it, but really I'm just trying to close that gap to the front."
You must be registered for see images attach
Align Media
Haiden Deegan has two overall podiums in four rounds of Pro Motocross. Align Media
Deegan also realizes that fitness requirements are different for 450 riders compared to the small bike. Manhandling the heavier bike requires more stamina. Deegan has finished better in Moto 2 in every round so far, with the exception of Hangtown's 3-3.
"I mean I feel like it's taken me four rounds to kind of catch on to that second moto, learning to find smoother lines where going slower in is going to help you in those second motos to be able to line up a good exit," Deegan said. "And it's taking me a little time to figure that out, but I feel like it's coming around quick. I'm learning it fast and it's something I got to go to the practice track too and work on as well."
And then, there are those pesky starts.
"I'd love a holeshot," Deegan said. "Just go back to work. Really keep trying to dial them in, learn the power on the start. It's a lot more power than a 250, so keeping that front down is a big deal. All you can do is just keep working towards it. But we're getting better. We're getting better."
But deep down, Deegan is still Deegan. One does not get to the 450 division with a premiere team without confidence.
"Gosh, it's getting better quick, right?" Deegan said. "I feel like last week in Colorado, I was a little tired and now this week I'm not tired at all. It's crazy how quickly I can make gains and I feel like I've always been good at that. Just being there each weekend, building myself and I feel like I've built myself up pretty well now and just keep on doing it. That's what I want to do. We got RedBud coming up and Southwick, so kind of figure out how those tracks are and keep on learning."
Continue reading...
