Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider Haiden Deegan secured the 250SX West championship Saturday night at the Denver Supercross, winning the main event after a late-race pass on teammate Cole Davies. The victory marked Deegan's first Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.
The 250SX West main event saw Davies take the early lead. Deegan, who entered the round with a 17-point lead over Davies, moved into second place just before the midpoint of the race, passing Michael Mosiman.
Deegan began closing the gap on Davies in the final minutes of the race. With two laps remaining, Deegan made a pass attempt on Davies that resulted in Davies going off the track.
Davies remounted his bike in fifth place, where he finished the race. Haiden Deegan crossed the finish line first, securing the win and the championship. The pass was reviewed by the AMA, which deemed it legal.
With the victory, Deegan built a 25-point lead over Davies, mathematically clinching the title regardless of the outcome at the final round in Salt Lake City. Even if Davies were to win the final race and Deegan score no points, Deegan would hold the tiebreaker based on second-place finishes.
After the race, Deegan commented on the pass. "Two laps to go, I wanted that win, baby. I was going to do anything for it," Deegan said, adding that people doubted him entering Supercross and Motocross. "They’re just mad that I’m him and they’ve got to deal with it… We the champ now, and let’s go, baby!" Haiden Deegan Victorius in Denver. When asked specifically about the pass, he stated he saw an opening and took the chance.
Julien Beaumer finished second in the 250SX West main event, having worked his way forward from an eighth-place start. Garrett Marchbanks rounded out the podium in third place after recovering from a ninth-place start.
Davies also commented on the outcome. "I got a good start and was focusing on just trying to build a bit of a gap and ride from there, but I got caught up with some lappers," Davies stated. "I should have capitalized on that better, and, you know, that’s on me tonight. I shouldn’t have put myself in that position, but I’ll be back." Deegan moves Cole Davies off track to win Denver.
In the 450SX Class main event, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Chase Sexton earned his sixth win of the season. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing's Cooper Webb finished second and retained the points lead heading into the final round. Justin Cooper finished third..Deegan added, "This Championship means a lot to me because people doubted me all the way. They were telling me I was all hype coming into Supercross and motocross. They’re just mad that I’m him and they’ve got to deal with it… We the champ now, and let’s go, baby!"
