Kayden Minear Dominates at Scouting Moto Combine Ahead of Hangtown Classic
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. – The SMX Next – Motocross series kicked off its summer season with an impressive performance from Australian rider Kayden Minear at the Scouting Moto Combine, a part of the Michael’s Reno Powersports Hangtown Motocross Classic. Competing under extreme heat conditions, Minear achieved a commanding 1-1 result, signaling his rising potential within the sport.
The Scouting Moto Combine, featuring 20 elite amateur riders, included educational sessions on training, nutrition, and media engagement, under the mentorship of noted coaches such as Broc Tickle, Michael Byrne, Broc Glover, and Ezra Lusk.
In the first moto, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Carson Wood secured the holeshot but relinquished early control to Team Green’s Vincent Wey. Despite a challenging start, Minear quickly advanced, engaging in a thrilling back-and-forth with Wey. By the race’s midpoint, a mistake from Wey allowed Minear to pull away, finishing approximately 11 seconds ahead of SLR Honda’s Leum Oehlhof and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Landon Gibson.
Moto 2 saw Minear take the holeshot once again, rapidly establishing a lead. KTM’s Luke Fauser and Gibson battled closely for second, allowing Minear to create a significant gap. Minear maintained his dominance, ultimately winning by 4.7 seconds over Gibson, with Oehlhof claiming third.
This victory marked Minear’s first triumph in the SMX Next series, while Gibson and Oehlhof finished joint runner-ups, the tie-breaking favoring Gibson due to his better performance in the second moto.
“That first moto was tough,” Minear reflected. “I got a rough start, but I was able to make passes and have a great battle with Vincent. The heat made Moto 2 challenging, but a better start helped me manage the race.”
Tickle, who received the Coach’s Cup for his guidance, praised the initiative: “These SMX Next opportunities are the perfect stepping stone for these athletes and their journey into the pros.”
The series will resume over the Independence Day weekend at the RedBud Scouting Moto Combine, preceding the Honda RedBud National.
