Jorge Prado has been crowned 2026 SuperMotocross World Champion after a dramatic season finale at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Ridgedale, Missouri. The Spaniard arrived at the final round carrying the 450SMX red plate and a 16-point advantage over Haiden Deegan and Hunter Lawrence, but with triple points available, the championship remained wide open. Prado qualified third aboard his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F Factory Edition before enduring a difficult opening moto.
A fifth-place finish in Moto 1 put Prado under serious pressure and left everything resting on the final race of the 2026 season. The former MXGP World Champion responded in impressive fashion, grabbing the holeshot in Moto 2 and leading the field around the spectacular Thunder Ridge circuit.
Deegan remained close and applied considerable pressure as the race developed, even briefly getting ahead during an attempted pass before Prado cut back underneath to regain the lead. The KTM rider held his nerve through the closing laps to take the moto victory and, more importantly, secure his first major championship since making the move to race full-time in America.
Deegan’s 1-2 finishes gave him the overall victory at the SMX finale, while Prado’s 5-1 score earned second overall and was enough to seal the championship. Hunter Lawrence completed the podium with consistent 3-3 results. Prado finished the three-round SMX Playoffs with 158 points, seven clear of Deegan on 151, with Lawrence third on 136.
The title represents a remarkable turnaround for the 25-year-old Spaniard following a challenging introduction to American racing. Already a multiple FIM Motocross World Champion, Prado can now add the 450SMX crown to his impressive CV, establishing himself as a championship winner on both sides of the Atlantic.
