Lucas vs Jett: Schedule and preview of the showdown in Thunder Valley

The first major highlight of the 2026 season will take place in Thunder Valley on Saturday, as the two World Championship leaders, Sacha and Lucas Coenen, will compete against the assembled US elite in Stage 3 of the US Nationals.

USA against WM - the eternal duel

Similar to the Motocross of Nations, it's all about prestige. Which championship marks the absolute top of the world, who has the highest level on a global scale? These are the questions that move the motocross world.

Review: Jeffrey Herlings' demonstration of power in 2017

The last comparable appearance by a world championship protagonist in the USA was that of Jeffrey Herlings on 26 August 2017. The Dutchman came, saw and won. And not only that: in the second race, he crashed after the star, rolled up the entire field from behind and also won this race. After his crash at the start, Herlings overtook 8 riders in one lap and actually made it to the front. The way 'The Bullet' passed Eli Tomac and Cole Seely in this race was simply a display of sporting power.

2026: The situation is different

The situation today is different to 2017, with the Australian Lawrence brothers and Hayden Deegan bringing a breath of fresh air to the championship and the youngsters constantly pushing each other to new heights. This time we will see the showdown between Europe and the USA in both classes and it is safe to assume that the current competitive situation will not be an easy task for the Belgians. Five days ago, the Coenen brothers were still standing on the top step of the podium in Kegums, Latvia.

The challenge of altitude

Thunder Valley is located on the edge of the Rocky Mountains at an altitude of more than 1,700 metres. This poses an additional challenge for drivers and engines, especially for the Europeans, who are not familiar with comparable altitudes in competition. One advantage for the Coenen brothers is that the KTM is considered one of the most powerful motorbikes. That should help in Colorado. Of course, the time change in America is an additional burden for the two Belgian boys.

Weather conditions

According to the current forecast, it should be a little cooler in Colorado on Saturday with cloudy skies and a daily high of 22°C with a low chance of rain.

Starting position 450 class

In the 450 class, Australian HRC works rider Hunter Lawrence continues to wear the championship leader's red plate after 2 of 11 stages. His lead over his younger brother Jett is 6 points. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) is 19 points behind in third place.

450 Championship standings after stage 2 of 11:

1. Hunter Lawrence (AUS), 94 points

2. Jett Lawrence (AUS), 88 (-6)

3. Haiden Deegan (USA), 75 (-19)

4. R.J. Hampshire (USA), 63 (-31)

5. Chase Sexton (USA), 61 (-33)

6. Dylan Ferrandis (F), 59 (-35)

7. Jorge Prado (E), 53 (-41)

8. Justin Cooper (USA), 50 (-44)

9. Garrett Marchbanks (USA), 47 (-47)

10. Mikkel Haarup (DK), 45 (-49)

Starting position in the 250cc class

In the 250cc class, MX2 World Championship leader Sacha Coenen will face the US competition and compete against the two leading Pro Circuit Kawasaki factory riders Seth Hammaker and Levi Kitchen. Red Bull KRM factory rider Julien Beaumer has also been strong this year and, of course, New Zealand Supercross champion Cole Davies (YamahaI and HRC factory rider Jo Shimoda are always a force to be reckoned with.

250 Standings after Event 2 of 11

1. Seth Hammaker (USA), Kawasaki, 85 points

2. Levi Kitchen (USA), Kawasaki, 78 (-7)

3. Julien Beaumer (USA), KTM, 71 (-14)

4. Cole Davies (NZL), Yamaha, 70 (-15)

5. Jo Shimoda (JPN),Honda, 69 (-16)

Europe-friendly schedule

In contrast to the first two first stages, which took place in California, the schedule in Colorado (Mountain Time) is a little more Europe-friendly, because in addition to the time zone, the 450s will start before the 250 class this time. In Germany, the first race of the 450 class will therefore start at 9 pm this time. The second race will start at around 11 pm.

Lotte van Drunen also at the start in Thunder Valley

Two-time WMX World Champion Lotte van Drunen (Yamaha) from the Netherlands will also face the female US competition in Thunder Valley. The race in Colorado is the second of 6 rounds of the US WMX Championships. The first WMX race will be held this Friday.

This is how the races can be followed:

• Livetiming (free of charge) from 6 pm

• Livestream Race Day live (free of charge)

• Livestream race (fee required)

Thunder Valley schedule CEST *)

Saturday, 13 June

• 16:00 - 450 Qualifying Group B

• 16:20 - 450 Qualifying Group A

• 16:50 - 250 Qualifying Group A

• 17:10 - 250 Qualifying Group B

• 17:50 - 450 Qualifying Group B

• 18:00 - Race Day Live

• 18:10 - 450 Qualifying Group A

• 18:30 - 250 Qualifying Group A

• 18:50 - 250 Qualifying Group B

• 19:35 - 450 Last Chance Race

• 19:50 - 250 Last Chance Race

• 20:05 - WMX Warm-up

• 20:15 - Opening

• 21:00 - 450 Race 1

• 22:00 - 250 Race 1

• 23:00 - 450 Race 2

Sunday, 14 June

• 00:00 - 250 heat 2

• 01:00 - WMX race 2 (first race on Friday)

*) Information without guarantee