This past weekend at Unadilla, Haiden Deegan finally led a lap in Pro Motocross – bringing the total number of riders who have led a lap in 450MX to just 4 riders. (Through 9 Rounds)
- 146 – Hunter Lawrence
- 133 – Jett Lawrence
- 16 – Jorge Prado
- 1 – Haiden Deegan
This is certainly below average for Pro Motocross in the 450 class, the 250 class is typically much higher. So lets see how the seasons compare over time.
Update! I have been able to expand the laps led data now back to 2003. It used to just go back to 2004 and there were some missing rounds here and there. Now, the only round missing since 2003 is 2006 Steel City. So other than that, we have the complete record back to 2003!
450MX – Number of Riders to Lead a Lap Per Season since 2003
| Year | Number of Riders to Lead a Lap | Notes |
| 2003 | 5 | |
| 2004 | 4 | |
| 2005 | 6 | |
| 2006 | 6 | Steel City 2006 data unavailable |
| 2007 | 8 | |
| 2008 | 2 | |
| 2009 | 11 | |
| 2010 | 9 | |
| 2011 | 8 | |
| 2012 | 8 | |
| 2013 | 6 | |
| 2014 | 9 | |
| 2015 | 6 | |
| 2016 | 8 | |
| 2017 | 12 | |
| 2018 | 8 | |
| 2019 | 8 | |
| 2020 | 9 | |
| 2021 | 9 | |
| 2022 | 6 | |
| 2023 | 5 | |
| 2024 | 6 | |
| 2025 | 9 | |
| 2026 | 4 | Through 9 Rounds |
An average of 7.16 per year. So 2026 is well below average.
We are only through 9 rounds in 2026, however, this is the lowest since 2008 and only 2004 is at the same amount as 2026. The four riders to lead a lap in 2004? Ricky Carmichael, Chad Reed, Kevin Windham and….Rusty Holland!
2008, was only James Stewart and Mike Alessi. Once Alessi got hurt, James Stewart then led 221 consecutive laps to finish the season!
We have been actually trending up slightly since 2003.
In many years: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2025 and 2026 (so far), we have a one or more riders who led just 1 lap on the season. But hey that still counts!
Onto the 250 class…
The points leader in the 250 class as of writing is Levi Kitchen with just 18 laps led vs Cole Davies with 118 so far.
250MX – Number of Riders to Lead a Lap Per Season since 2003
| Year | Number of Riders to Lead a Lap | Notes |
| 2003 | 12 | |
| 2004 | 13 | |
| 2005 | 11 | |
| 2006 | 11 | Steel City 2006 Missing |
| 2007 | 7 | |
| 2008 | 10 | |
| 2009 | 9 | |
| 2010 | 8 | |
| 2011 | 13 | |
| 2012 | 9 | |
| 2013 | 10 | |
| 2014 | 10 | |
| 2015 | 12 | |
| 2016 | 11 | |
| 2017 | 10 | |
| 2018 | 15 | |
| 2019 | 13 | |
| 2020 | 9 | |
| 2021 | 11 | |
| 2022 | 11 | |
| 2023 | 10 | |
| 2024 | 8 | |
| 2025 | 13 | |
| 2026 | 12 | Through 9 Rounds |
An average of 10.75! We are already at 12 this season.
Pretty wild that the lowest is 7 compared to the 450SX class with 2.
In 14 of the 24 seasons here, there is an instance of one or more riders leading just 1 lap: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2025, 2026.
An average of 10.75 was higher than I anticipated the 250 class would have. This really shows how less dominant 250 class championships have historically been vs the 450 class.
A slight trend upward for the 250MX class as well!
Thanks for reading! Any questions, hit me up on Twitter or Instagram @MXReference
