San Diego 250SX: Deegan Ascends to Leadership Amid Controversy
San Diego, CA – In a dramatic turn of events at the San Diego 250SX main event on Saturday, Haiden Deegan claimed victory and the championship lead following a contentious block pass on teammate Max Anstie, which resulted in Anstie’s crash and subsequent drop in positions. Deegan, showcasing remarkable speed and control, secured the win, leaving Anstie to settle for a fifth-place finish.
Anstie’s performance marks a disappointing start to the season, mirroring past struggles; he finished with a 1-5 record in the opening round, having experienced similar misfortunes in previous years. In 2025, he started strong with a Tampa SX win but faltered at critical moments throughout the season.
Post-race, Anstie acknowledged Deegan’s skillful maneuver, saying, “He’s good at those type of moves and putting himself in positions that are… blocking. I was just like, ‘Okay, the job is done, he’s made the pass.’” Despite the setback, Anstie remained optimistic about the season ahead, emphasizing his strong starts and overall bike performance: “I can go back, work on it… It’s a long season. We’ll be all right.”
Deegan’s victory elevates him into a position of strength early in the championship race, illustrating both his talent and the competitive nature of the series as tensions rise amongst top riders. As the season progresses, Anstie’s ability to rebound from this setback will be crucial in his bid for the title.
