The game of musical chairs for the 2026 season is well underway but one rider has already found his place for the foreseeable future. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing announced a multi-year deal with Haiden Deegan that will see the SMX champ move to the 450 team in 2026.
“I am pumped to re-sign with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing,” said Deegan. “The plan will be to race the 250 in Supercross, and then make the move to the 450 class for Motocross and SMX. I’m grateful for the opportunity and more fired up than ever. Let’s keep grinding.”
After joining the Blu Cru as an amateur back in 2021, Deegan turned pro and was awarded the Rookie of the Year for both supercross and motocross as well as winning the 250SMX title later that year. He is now looking to cap off an already impressive 2025 season by defending the 250MX Pro Motocross title before taking on the SuperMotocross Playoffs.
In 2026 Deegan aims to defend his Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX title before making his full time 450 debut at the start of the Pro Motocross Championship. He will also contest in the SMX World Championship Finals aboard a 450.
“Yamaha Racing is excited to announce that Haiden Deegan has signed a multi-year contract to continue with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team,” said Jim Roach, the racing manager for Yamaha Motor USA. “Since joining the team, Haiden has earned significant achievements, and we look forward to continuing that success as he graduates to the 450 team.”
Team manager Rich Simmons added, “We’re looking forward to having Haiden on the 450 next summer and look to continue the success he’s had in the 250 class.”
The following is a press release from Yamaha:
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing is pleased to announce a multi-year deal with Haiden Deegan that will see him continue with their championship-winning program. The Californian has enjoyed success aboard the team’s YZ250F – going from a title-winning A-class amateur to a multi-time champion in the pro ranks – and looks to continue that success next year as he embarks on his rookie season aboard the YZ450F. In 2026, he will join the 450 team, starting the year off by making another Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX title run under the 450 tent, and then launching his premier class title campaign with them in Pro Motocross and the SMX World Championship Finals.
Since joining the team’s amateur program in the fall of 2021, Deegan has been a proven title contender, winning multiple national titles and going on to enjoy a stellar pro debut season with Rookie of the Year honors in both supercross and motocross, and his first 250SMX title. In just three years, the 19-year-old has amassed an impressive number of titles and race wins aboard the team’s YZ250F. In addition to earning back-to-back 250SMX titles (2023-2024), he secured the 2024 Pro Motocross 250MX Championship and the 2025 250SX West Championship a round early. He currently has seven 250SX wins, 12 250MX overall wins, and three 250SMX wins.
With three rounds remaining of the outdoor season before the SuperMotocross World Championship Finals, it’s already been a storied season for Deegan. After sealing the deal on his first 250SX title with four wins and a total of nine podium finishes, he went on to launch a formidable title defense outdoors. The reigning 250MX and 250SMX Champion has earned five overall victories and 10 moto wins thus far, giving him a comfortable 45-point lead in the 250MX Championship and a 103-point lead in the 250SMX Combined Points. As the 2025 season comes to a close, Deegan has his sights set on securing the crown in both championships to cap off a successful tenure with the 250 team.
