Preview and schedule for the SMX Playoff in Ridgedale: How Prado will become champion

This coming weekend, the third and decisive final of the SMX play-offs will take place at the Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Ridgedale (Missouri). The weather forecast is excellent, with sunshine and temperatures of 25 degrees Celsius.

Triple points

In the playoff final, the points on offer are tripled. The winner receives 3 × 25 = 75 points, the runner-up 3 × 22 = 66 points, and third place 3 × 20 = 60 points. The points gap between first and third place is therefore 15 points, which means that championship leader Jorge Prado (KTM) cannot afford to rest on his 16-point lead. If Haiden Deegan or Lawrence wins, Prado must finish at least third to clinch the championship.

Things are looking good for Prado

However, Jorge Prado has consistently shown good starts and a strong pace throughout the play-offs. A 16-point lead is a magic number for him, because if he finishes third, he wins. Ken Roczen (Suzuki) and Cooper Webb (Yamaha) also still have a chance if the frontrunners slip up.

End of an era

For Red Bull KTM works rider Eli Tomac, this will be the final race of his career, marking the end of an era. His long-time team-mate and rival from the early years, Justin Barcia, is unable to compete at all due to a foot injury. It will also be the final race of his career for Frenchman Dylan Ferrandis, and Husqvarna is withdrawing completely from competition as a works team.

450 Standings after Playoff 2 of 3

1. Jorge Prado (E), KTM, 92 points

2. Haiden Deegan (USA), Yamaha, 76, (-16)

3. Hunter Lawrence (AUS), Honda, 76, (-16)

4. Ken Roczen (D), Suzuki, 74, (-18)

5. Cooper Webb (USA), Yamaha, 72, (-20)

6. Garrett Marchbanks (USA), Kawasaki, 58, (-34)

7. Dylan Ferrandis (F), Ducati, 53, (-39)

8. R.J. Hampshire (USA), Husqvarna, 51, (-41)

9. Eli Tomac (USA), KTM, 48, (-44)

10. Jordon Smith (USA), Triumph, 45, (-47)

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Suspense in the 250cc class

In the 250cc class, the battle between Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki) and Ryder DiFrancesco (Husqvarna) is even closer, but Julien Beaumer (KTM) also still has a chance of the title if he wins and Kitchen finishes the race lower than third.

250 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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