Jorge Prado wins first 450 SMX title

Jorge Prado won the 2026 Monster Energy SMX 450 title at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Ridgedale, Missouri. He finished fifth in Moto 1 and first in Moto 2 for second overall on the day, clinching with 158 points to Haiden Deegan's 151 after needing a third-place overall or better. Deegan won the event overall with a 1-2 score following his wire-to-wire Moto 1 win by 3.1 seconds over Ken Roczen. Prado holeshot Moto 2, led every lap, and held a late challenge when Deegan closed to 0.4 seconds and tried a block pass before winning by 1.7 seconds. Hunter Lawrence scored 3-3 for third overall and 136 points. Prado took $1,000,000, Deegan $500,000 and Lawrence $250,000. Prado said, "One year ago, I was watching these races and didn't know if I'd ever be here. Red Bull KTM believed in me and gave me a chance to prove myself. We worked so hard for this goal and accomplished it." Deegan said, "I gave it everything I had [today]. I got the overall but not the championship, and that hurts." Lawrence said it was an amazing long year. Riders head into the offseason.