Preview and schedule for the SMX Playoff in Columbus (Ohio) featuring Ken Roczen

This coming Saturday, the first of a total of three SMX Play-offs will take place at the ‘Historic Crew Stadium’ in Columbus (Ohio). The play-off rounds have a special points system, which is explained in this article.

Weather forecast for Ohio

As the play-offs take place in open-air stadiums, the weather forecast is an important factor. On Saturday, muggy temperatures of 24 to 27 degrees are expected in Columbus. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible, particularly in the afternoon. However, there may also be some sunshine at times. The risk of rain therefore remains a factor of uncertainty.

The track

As well as two extensive sand sections, there are Supercross and Motocross elements, such as rhythm sections and on-off tables, but no whoops, for example.

Standings ahead of the first playoff:

In both classes, the riders carry over their bonus points from the combined Supercross and Motocross seasons. Hunter Lawrence (HRC) starts with 25 points. Supercross champion Ken Roczen (Suzuki), who did not compete in the AMA Pro Motocross Championships, goes into the first race in 10th place in the overall SMX standings with 12 points. However, these differences will be wiped out in the upcoming play-offs, as the points on offer there will double and, ultimately, even triple. So every qualifier has a chance of winning the SMX World Championship. With every playoff round, consistency becomes increasingly important. A DNF right at the end could cost the championship.

Ken Roczen returns

Ken Roczen is set to return to racing at the SMX play-offs in Columbus. Since winning the Supercross Championship in May, the Suzuki rider has not competed in any races and has sat out the entire motocross season. The key question is his race fitness after four months without competition.

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450 standings:

1. Hunter Lawrence (AUS), Honda, 820, 25

2. Jorge Prado (E), KTM, 590, 22

3. Cooper Webb (USA), Yamaha, 579, 20

4. Jett Lawrence (AUS), Honda, 472, 18

5. Dylan Ferrandis (F), Ducati, 444, 17

6. Garrett Marchbanks (USA), Kawasaki, 438, 16

7. Haiden Deegan (USA), Yamaha, 404, 15

8. Eli Tomac (USA), KTM, 396, 14

9. R.J. Hampshire (USA), Husqvarna, 384, 13

10. Ken Roczen (Germany), Suzuki, 349, 12

11. Justin Cooper (USA), Yamaha, 347, 11

12. Chase Sexton (USA), Kawasaki, 298, 10

250cc class

Defending champion Jo Shimoda (Honda) is ranked 11th in the combined standings and is therefore among the 20 seeded riders. Shimoda goes into the play-offs with 11 SMX points.

SMX Standings 250

1. Cole Davies (NZL), Yamaha, 638, 25

2. Levi Kitchen (USA), Kawasaki, 541, 22

3. Ryder DiFrancesco (USA), Husqvarna, 490, 20

4. Chance Hymas (USA), Honda, 402, 18

5. Julien Beaumer (USA), KTM, 369, 17

6. Kayden Minear (AUS), Yamaha, 324, 16

7. Nate Thrasher (USA), Yamaha, 316, 15

8. Seth Hammaker (USA), Kawasaki, 314, 14

9. Carson Mumford (USA), Honda, 314, 13

10. Daxton Bennick (USA), Yamaha, 302, 12

How to follow the races

Saturday, 12 September 2026 (CEST)

Play-off Finals