Jorge Prado is the 2026 SuperMotocross World Champion after winning the decisive second moto at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena by 1.731 seconds. With triple points awarded in the Playoff Final, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider finished the championship on 158 points, seven clear of Haiden Deegan on 151. Prado is the first Spanish-born rider to win the SMX Playoffs, a result that also earns him the $1 million winner’s prize.

Deegan controlled the first moto

The title fight remained open after the opening race. Deegan turned the holeshot into a wire-to-wire victory, beating Ken Roczen by 3.1 seconds, with Hunter Lawrence third. Prado began that moto from 10th and recovered to fifth. Because the final awarded triple points, Deegan’s win placed him in a strong position before the championship’s last race, but it did not give him the title.

Prado then took the holeshot in the second moto, with Deegan immediately behind. The Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha rider set the fastest laps during the second half and gradually closed the gap to roughly one or two bike lengths with about three and a half minutes remaining. Lapped riders complicated the closing stages for both contenders, but Prado maintained his advantage and crossed the line 1.731 seconds ahead.

Final results and championship order

Deegan still won the Playoff Final’s overall classification. His 1-2 score produced 75 points, while Prado’s 5-1 combination earned 66. Lawrence finished third in both motos and completed the championship in third place with 136 points. Roczen was fourth on 128, followed by Cooper Webb on 123.

  • Haiden Deegan — Yamaha — 1-2 in the final; 151 championship points
  • Jorge Prado — KTM — 5-1 in the final; 158 championship points
  • Hunter Lawrence — Honda — 3-3 in the final; 136 championship points
  • Ken Roczen — Suzuki — 2-5 in the final; 128 championship points
  • Cooper Webb — Yamaha — 4-4 in the final; 123 championship points
  • Garrett Marchbanks — Kawasaki — 10-7 in the final; 103 championship points

The remaining listed riders in the Final’s overall classification included R.J. Hampshire, Jordon Smith, Malcolm Stewart, Aaron Plessinger, Colt Nichols, Eli Tomac, Justin Hill, Shane McElrath, Dylan Ferrandis, Christian Craig, Mitchell Harrison, Mikkel Haarup, Vince Friese, Grant Harlan, Freddie Noren, Jeremy Hand and Joey Savatgy. Their moto combinations ranged from Hampshire’s 6-6 and Smith’s 9-9 to Ferrandis’s 22-8 and Joey Savatgy’s 21- result.

A new target for Prado

Prado said the championship was built on the work of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, which prepared him throughout the winter and every week of the season. He also credited his own preparation for helping him return strongly, summing up the response as “what champions do.” The new champion has signed a multi-year contract extension with the team.

The SMX crown adds to Prado’s two MXGP World Championships and two MX2 titles. His next stated objective is a first AMA championship, either in Supercross or Pro Motocross, while he is expected to return next season to defend the SMX title.