Julien Beaumer (KTM) wins second SMX Playoff in Los Angeles

Second SMX Playoff in the 250cc class at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson (Los Angeles): Just before the start of the first race, chaos ensued for championship leader Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki) when his starting hook slipped out and had to be reattached in the final seconds before the start.

Race win for Julien Beaumer

Red Bull KTM factory rider Julien Beaumer (KTM) took the holeshot, whilst New Zealand Supercross and Motocross champion Cole Davies had to work his way up through the field after a poor start. His Yamaha team-mate Nate Thrasher took a hard fall in a technical section, and both HRC factory rider Chance Hymas and Davies crashed during the race. Julien Beaumer, who had already set the fastest time in qualifying, won the first race ahead of Ryder DiFrancesco (Husqvarna) and Cole Davies (Yamaha).

Race win for Kitchen, overall victory for Beaumer

There was also a flurry of activity in Levi Kitchen’s team before the second race. His front wheel was changed whilst he was still on the starting grid. Julien Beaumer took the holeshot once again ahead of Ryder DiFrancesco. Cole Davies suffered a violent highside in this race and hit the ground hard. Ryder DiFrancesco was unable to swerve out of the way and collided with Davies’ bike. Davies was forced to retire from the race with a bent bike. Defending champion Jo Shimoda (Honda), who had finished sixth in Race 1, overtook Julien Beaumer in the closing stages to cross the line in second place. With a 1-3 result, Julien Beaumer was the day’s winner, securing 50 points. Ryder DiFrancesco finished second with a 2-5 result. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki) put in a particularly spirited performance in the second race and finished third on the day’s standings with a 7-1 result. This meant the Kawasaki rider retained the lead in the standings ahead of the third and decisive SMX play-off. Ryder DiFrancesco, however, reduced his deficit from 7 to 3 points. Julien Beaumer made a huge leap forward. He moved up from 10th to 3rd place. The final playoff of the 2026 season will take place this coming weekend at the Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Ridgedale, Missouri.

Play-off 2 results, Los Angeles

1. Julien Beaumer (USA), KTM, 1-3

2. Ryder DiFrancesco (USA), Husqvarna, 2-5

3. Levi Kitchen (USA), Kawasaki, 7-1

4. Jo Shimoda (J), Honda, 6-2

5. Kayden Minear (AUS), Yamaha, 5-8

6. Pierce Brown (USA), Yamaha, 10–4

7. Drew Adams (USA), Kawasaki, 3-14

8. Landen Gordon (USA), Yamaha, 12-6

9. Dilan Schwartz (USA), Yamaha, 8-11

10. Cameron McAdoo (USA), Kawasaki, 14-7

Standings after Playoff 2 of 3

1. Levi Kitchen (USA), Kawasaki, 87 points

2. Ryder DiFrancesco (USA), Husqvarna, 84, (-3)

3. Julien Beaumer (USA), KTM, 71, (-16)

4. Kayden Minear (AUS), Yamaha, 57, (-30)

5. Daxton Bennick (USA), Husqvarna, 56, (-31)

6. Jo Shimoda (J), Honda, 56, (-31)

7. Cole Davies (NZL), Yamaha, 53, (-34)

8. Chance Hymas (USA), Honda, 51, (-36)

9. Drew Adams (USA), Kawasaki, 48, (-39)

10. Nate Thrasher (USA), Yamaha, 45, (-42)

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