This Week in SMX: Anaheim 2 Supercross
What a start to the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship we have here, folks! Different winners in both 450SX and the 250SX West series to start the 2025 SuperMotocross World Championship season. The top five riders in the premier class are only separated by ten points, while the 250SX West series points for the top 5 see a difference of twelve.
There is a lot to unpack from San Diego last weekend. Looking ahead, round 3 of Anaheim 2 will take place this Saturday, January 25th, in Anaheim, California, the third and final Supercross stop in the Golden State.
Here is what you need to know ahead of Anaheim 2.
450SX
Beast Mode engaged! Eli Tomac, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, claims his 53rd 450SX win in a battle to the finish over the reigning 450SX and 450SMX champion, the young Australian phenom Jett Lawrence. Tomac holds the red plate for the first time in 2025 and looks to have the confidence back in himself, entering the third round of the seventeen-race series at Anaheim 2 this Saturday.
“It’s up there on the list of wins. It’s been a while—I think the last time I won a 20-minute main event. I didn’t get one last year, so that’s a big thing for me—not just winning a Triple Crown, but the real deal. This was a huge deal for me, just coming back and proving that I’m in a better position and in better shape.” - Eli Tomac.
The Lawrence brothers' Honda HRC Progressive CRF450Rs made strides forward from Anaheim 1. They spent the whole week leading up to San Diego staying in California, dialing in and adjusting the new bike for a better feel for the upcoming main events. The results, riding, and the motorcycle's overall look from the eye test on the track were significantly better in San Diego. Jett finished 2nd after a 12th from Anaheim 1, and Hunter, dealing with sickness throughout the day, placed 5th in San Diego, coming off an 11th at the season's opener. Jett currently sits 5th in the championship points, 10 back from Tomac. Hunter is 8th in points, entering Anaheim 2.
“We found more control in the forks and the rear. It’s crazy to think that last year’s frame was actually stiffer, so we were able to run softer suspension. Another big change was gearing—we went back on gearing for the start because I struggled to keep the front end down last weekend. It’s about breaking habits from the previous bike. That one was so high in the rear, and I liked to weight the shock a lot, so I’d almost be lazy and lean back, and it would still turn nicely. This bike has more sag, which is better for traction, but I have to keep myself more forward.” - Jett Lawrence.
Cooper Webb, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, is quietly sneaky with his 3rd place finish, leading half of the main event from San Diego while under the weather and in the mix of this title fight. Webb currently sits 4th in championship points and only four points behind Tomac. Starting the year off this strong for Webb, even missing some time off the bike during the off-season due to a practice crash, has to have the other riders a little worried for when the series moves East, for when he is statically at his best.
"It’s racing, right? You’re always dealing with something. I feel like the West Coast always gets the best of me every time I’m out here—something in the air or something. We had an up-and-down offseason, but that’s dirt bike racing—you’re always dealing with things. I’ve always said if I can leave the West Coast in the mix, that’s always the goal. I’m extremely happy with how things are going right now." - Cooper Webb.
Germany’s Ken Roczen, Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki, started the season with a second at Anaheim 1 and finished fourth in San Diego. These first two finishes establish himself right in the mix at the top of the championship standings, where he is sitting third, two points behind Tomac.
250SX West:
18-year-old Arizona sophomore on the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, Julien “JuJu” Beaumer, stamps his career-first 250SX win in San Diego and holds the 250SX West Championship red plate for the first time entering San Diego. Beaumer has made considerable strides in the off-season and is proven to be a title threat here in the 250SX West Championship with his consistency, speed, and fitness at the front of the field.
“For sure, it’s definitely confidence-boosting. At the start of this year, I had a goal set in mind, and that was to do this. I just needed to believe in myself, and I think I showed that I believe in myself tonight.” - Julien Beaumer.
Triumph Factory Racing’s Jordon Smith quietly sits 2nd in points after his back-to-back podium finish to start the season, placing 2nd last weekend. The North Carolina native, Smith, on the new team and bike, is still learning the ins and outs of the TF 250-X. The team partnered with GET / Athena for ECUs on the bike coming into Anaheim 2 to have a better shot at reaching Triumph’s career-first 250SX win.
"I think we still have a lot of room to improve on the bike on race days. I haven’t really brought the comfort that I have on practice days at the track to the races yet. The dirt’s a lot different, the whoops are a lot different, so there are going to be some growing pains. But I think it’s pretty positive that we feel like we have so much room to improve and are still up here battling. I think it’s good." - Jordon Smith.
The big Anaheim 1 winner and championship red plate holder entering San Diego, Honda HRC Progressive’s, Japans, Jo Shimoda, toughed out a 7th place finish in the main event after breaking two fingers in his left (clutch) hand from timed qualifying earlier in the day due to making contact with a pit board. Shimoda sits 4th in the 250SX West standings and will try to ride Press Day this afternoon at Anaheim 2 to see if he can race tomorrow’s third round. The injury could be worse than initially thought, requiring surgery.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s defending 250SMX champion, California’s Haiden Deegan, finished in 3rd from San Diego but has some work to do to get himself back into this championship, as he sits ten points back behind Beaumer and 4th in the standings ahead of Anaheim 2 and has yet to win in 2025.
“The boys rode good today. I just was a little restricted and got to work on this arm pump—something I’ve struggled with. But we’ll figure it out. It’s nothing we haven’t had to work through before, so we’ll pick it up.” - Haiden Deegan.
San Diego Supercross Results / Championship Points
Eli Tomac Wins Round 2! San Diego Results
Injury List:
Ryder DiFrancesco - Return Unknown, Injury unknown
Garrett Marchbanks - Injury Unknown, plan to return for Glendale
Ty Masterpool - Hand injury, return unknown
Stilez Robertson - Wrist injury, plan to return for Arlington
Avery Long - Concussion/bruised ribs, plan to return for Glendale
Talon Hawkins - Broken femur, return unknown
Jo Shimoda - He will ride Press Day on Friday and evaluate for racing on Saturday.
Returning
Enzo Lopes returns to 250SX racing after a year-long hiatus due to arm pump surgery issues with his new team, Toyota of Redlands / BarX Yamaha.
Derek Kelly returns to racing after Anaheim 1 crash with Team Solitare Yamaha.
Julien Benek is in for Canada’s MCP Racing Triumph.
Other news:
Lawrence Brother fired long-time agent Lucas Mirtl
How to Watch, Track Map, and Videos
How to Watch: Anaheim 2
Track Map: Anaheim 2
Related: Watch: Troy Lee Steps Up To Help LA Fire Victims | A2 Press Day ft. Lawrence, Smith, Lopes & More
