Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies has broken through for the first Pro Motocross victory of his career, delivering a commanding performance at High Point Raceway to claim the overall win in the 250SMX Class.
The New Zealander was the standout rider from the opening laps of the day, topping both qualifying sessions before converting that speed into a perfect 1-1 result in the motos.
Davies set the pace in qualifying with a fastest lap of 2:04.283, narrowly edging Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Levi Kitchen.
The opening moto saw Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Casey Cochran grab the holeshot before Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Julien Beaumer took control of the lead. Davies worked his way into contention and inherited the lead when Beaumer crashed while crossing the finish line just past the halfway mark.
From there, Davies controlled the race despite late pressure from Beaumer to secure the moto win by 3.3 seconds. Honda HRC Progressive rider Jo Shimoda charged from ninth on the opening lap to finish third.
Moto 2 belonged entirely to Davies. The Yamaha rider grabbed the holeshot and led every lap, steadily building an advantage while chaos unfolded behind him.
Kayden Minear impressed with a strong ride near the front, running second early before eventually finishing third. Beaumer worked his way into second, while Shimoda charged through the field once again. Championship contender Seth Hammaker’s race ended in disappointment after a heavy crash, resulting in a DNF.
Davies remained unchallenged out front to complete the sweep, taking the chequered flag 3.6 seconds ahead of Beaumer.
The victory made Davies the 95th different winner in 250SMX Class history and the first New Zealander to stand on the top step of a Pro Motocross podium since Ben Townley achieved the feat in 2007.
Beaumer secured the best result of his professional career with second overall, while Shimoda backed up last weekend’s victory with another podium finish in third.
Kitchen finished fourth overall and emerged from the weekend with sole possession of the championship lead after Hammaker’s costly DNF dropped him from equal first to fifth in the standings.
Australian rookie Kayden Minear also impressed throughout the afternoon, running at the front of Moto 2 and finishing fourth in the race.
250SMX Class Overall Results (Moto Finishes // Points)
- Cole Davies, Waitoki, New Zealand, Yamaha (1-1 // 50)
- Julien Beaumer, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., KTM (2-2 // 44)
- Jo Shimoda, Suzuka, Japan, Honda (3-4 // 38)
- Levi Kitchen, Washougal, Wash., Kawasaki (6-5 // 33)
- Kayden Minear, Perth, Western Australia, Yamaha (10-3 // 32)
- Ryder DiFrancesco, Bakersfield, Calif., Husqvarna (7-6 // 31)
- Casey Cochran, Portsmouth, Va., Husqvarna (4-11 // 29)
- Michael Mosiman, Sebastopol, Calif., Yamaha (9-9 // 26)
- Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda (13-8 // 23)
- Dilan Schwartz, Alpine, Calif., Yamaha (12-10 // 22)
250SMX Class Championship Standings (Race 4 of 11)
- Levi Kitchen, Washougal, Wash., Kawasaki – 150
- Jo Shimoda, Suzuka, Japan, Honda – 149
- Julien Beaumer, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., KTM – 148
- Cole Davies, Waitoki, New Zealand, Yamaha – 143
- Seth Hammaker, Bainbridge, Pa., Kawasaki – 134
- Ryder DiFrancesco, Bakersfield, Calif., Husqvarna – 111
- Kayden Minear, Perth, Western Australia, Yamaha – 101
- Nick Romano, Bayside, N.Y., Kawasaki – 101
- Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda – 90
- Caden Dudney, Des Moines, Iowa, Yamaha – 73
- Carson Mumford, Simi Valley, Calif., KTM – 73
SMX World Championship Regular Season Standings (Round 21 of 28)
- Cole Davies, Waitoki, New Zealand, Yamaha – 374
- Levi Kitchen, Washougal, Wash., Kawasaki – 327
- Seth Hammaker, Bainbridge, Pa., Kawasaki – 314
- Ryder DiFrancesco, Bakersfield, Calif., Husqvarna – 275
- Jo Shimoda, Suzuka, Japan, Honda – 249
- Haiden Deegan, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha – 233
- Max Vohland, Sacramento, Calif., Yamaha – 203
- Daxton Bennick, Morganton, N.C., Husqvarna – 184
- Nick Romano, Bayside, N.Y., Kawasaki – 173
- Max Anstie, Newbury, England, Yamaha – 168
