Cole Davies took the lead in the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross 250MX Championship after the Budds Creek round and entered the season finale at Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana, on Saturday, August 29, 2026, holding a 14-point advantage over rival Levi Kitchen. Davies reclaimed the red plate by gaining a 15-point swing in the standings, turning a one-point deficit into a lead with only two motos remaining, officials said.
Davies secured his 14-point lead by delivering a strong performance at the penultimate round of the championship at Budds Creek, Maryland, on August 22, 2026. There, he posted a 1–3 moto scorecard that earned him second overall behind Chance Hymas but was pivotal in the title race, according to AMA Pro Motocross officials. Coming into Budds Creek, Levi Kitchen held a narrow one-point advantage over Davies, but Davies’ moto win and consistent finishes resulted in a 15-point swing in the standings, turning his deficit into a 14-point lead heading into the Ironman finale, sources confirmed.
Following Budds Creek, official and independent standings list Davies with 378 points, holding a 14-point advantage over Kitchen, who has 364 points.
The 18-year-old New Zealander, riding for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing on a Yamaha YZ250F, has steadily climbed the championship rankings throughout the season. Early in the year, after the High Point National in Pennsylvania (Round 4), Davies captured his first outdoor overall victory by winning both motos, amassing 143 points and moving into championship contention, records show. At RedBud, Michigan (Round 5), he became the first repeat 250MX winner of the season with a 1–2 finish, although Jo Shimoda left that round holding a four-point lead over Davies, with Kitchen in third place, according to race reports.
Davies first took over the red plate at Spring Creek in Millville, Minnesota (Round 7), after a 7–2 moto score earned him a two-point lead over Kitchen in the standings, officials said. He extended his momentum at Washougal, Washington (Round 8), with a perfect 1–1 moto performance to win overall and significantly reduce Kitchen’s points lead, as Kitchen finished 6–6 in the motos. These results contributed to Davies’ rise from fourth place in the standings after High Point to the championship leader entering the final round, sources noted.
The championship battle remains tightly contested, with only two motos left at the Ironman National in Crawfordsville, Indiana, on August 29, 2026. Both riders face pressure to perform, as a single poor result could alter the championship outcome, AMA Pro Motocross officials warned.
The 250MX class has seen intense competition throughout the season, with riders such as Jo Shimoda and Julien Beaumer also playing significant roles. Shimoda led the championship briefly after RedBud but has since fallen behind the top two, while Beaumer remains closely contested for third place, trailing Chance Hymas by just five points after Budds Creek, according to points data. The depth of the field was evident early in the season, with the High Point round compressing the top four riders within seven points, underscoring the competitive environment Davies has navigated.
Davies’ rapid ascent is notable given his age and international background. At 18, the Waitoki, New Zealand native has transitioned from an outsider to a top contender within a factory-backed Yamaha program. His performances at key venues—including High Point, RedBud, Spring Creek, Washougal, and Budds Creek—have been documented as critical milestones in his pursuit of the title, according to multiple race reports and official results.
The Ironman National will not only decide the 250MX championship but also conclude the 450MX and WMX series, increasing the stakes for all competitors. With only two motos remaining, Davies will carry the red plate into the finale, aiming to convert his 14-point cushion into a championship victory. The AMA Pro Motocross season will conclude on August 29, 2026, at Ironman Raceway, where the final standings will be determined.
