2024 AMA Pro Motocross Championship: Deegan Dominates
In a decisive start to the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross Championship, Haiden Deegan has established himself as the clear frontrunner in the 250 Class, achieving a perfect four moto wins. Following his success in the 250SX West title during the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, Deegan has maintained a commanding presence with 100 points, underscoring his physical and mental preparedness.
During the opening rounds, Deegan showcased strategic racing; in the heat of California, he avoided early aggression, methodically moving into first place in both motos before securing comfortable victories.
Jo Shimoda has emerged as the second-best competitor, consistently finishing as the runner-up in all four motos. Despite his strong performances, he remains 12 points behind Deegan, primarily lacking top-end speed.
Other pre-season contenders—Levi Kitchen, Tom Vialle, and Chance Hymas—have struggled significantly. All three riders have recorded at least one DNF, placing them at a disadvantage from the outset. For instance, Kitchen finished tenth in his first moto and suffered a late-chain derailment in his second, resulting in a 38th-place finish. He managed to rebound with a 3-3 performance at the Hangtown Motocross Classic, earning 40 points, but remains significantly behind Deegan, tied for fifth in points with Vialle at 48 points down.
As the series progresses, questions linger: Can the other contenders recover from their setbacks, or will Deegan continue his dominance? The next rounds will be critical in determining if any challengers can emerge to contest Deegan’s supremacy.
