2026 SX Finale - interesting possible outcomes

ando
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Edited Date/Time 5/4/2026 2:29pm

So Ken has a one point lead going into SLC which theoretically gives him a slight advantage, or does it?

In a 22 rider gate, there are 462 possible outcomes between any two given riders (22 x 22 = 484 minus 22 because they both can't finish in the same position).

If either rider finishes 2 points ahead they take the title.  However there are a number of scenarios where they finish equal on points.  This would occur if Hunter finishes 18th (EDIT that should read 4th) or worse and just one spot ahead of Ken.  There are 18 such possibilities. 

It would then come down to tie breakers.  They are tied on 5 wins each, but the next level tie-breaker is most second place finishes.  Here Hunter has the advantage with 5 seconds vs 3 for Ken.  So those 18 possibilities where they end up tied are actually in favour of Hunter.

Where does this all end up?  When you calculate it all out there is mathematically each a precise 50% chance of winning based on finish position scenarios, so no rider has an advantage with certain scenarios working in their favour.

In other words, whoever finishes in front of the other guy wins the title.

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Pop Shmoke
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5/3/2026 9:20pm

Yea its really the perfect finale. None of the other shit matters its just gonna come down to which guy finishes in front of the other guy. Whether thats first and second or seventh and eighth. 

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jaun
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5/3/2026 10:25pm

Kenny having 13 seconds put on him has the be in his head, definitely Hunter has the momentum.

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lumpy790
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5/4/2026 8:17am

Ask Damon Bradshaw 

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5/4/2026 8:41am
ando wrote:
So Ken has a one point lead going into SLC which theoretically gives him a slight advantage, or does it?In a 22 rider gate, there are...

So Ken has a one point lead going into SLC which theoretically gives him a slight advantage, or does it?

In a 22 rider gate, there are 462 possible outcomes between any two given riders (22 x 22 = 484 minus 22 because they both can't finish in the same position).

If either rider finishes 2 points ahead they take the title.  However there are a number of scenarios where they finish equal on points.  This would occur if Hunter finishes 18th (EDIT that should read 4th) or worse and just one spot ahead of Ken.  There are 18 such possibilities. 

It would then come down to tie breakers.  They are tied on 5 wins each, but the next level tie-breaker is most second place finishes.  Here Hunter has the advantage with 5 seconds vs 3 for Ken.  So those 18 possibilities where they end up tied are actually in favour of Hunter.

Where does this all end up?  When you calculate it all out there is mathematically each a precise 50% chance of winning based on finish position scenarios, so no rider has an advantage with certain scenarios working in their favour.

In other words, whoever finishes in front of the other guy wins the title.

You went through all that just to get to this?

"whoever finishes in front of the other guy wins the title."

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The Shop

5/4/2026 8:44am
jaun wrote:

Kenny having 13 seconds put on him has the be in his head, definitely Hunter has the momentum.

1 second or 15 seconds didn't matter to Kenny. Kenny did the smart thing and rode for next week. All he had to do was finish 2nd and ride smart to do that. Don't read anything mor than that into it. There was zero to gain by riding faster and closing the gap. Smart riders last longer than emotional riders.

TM

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JazzyJJ
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5/4/2026 8:48am
ando wrote:
So Ken has a one point lead going into SLC which theoretically gives him a slight advantage, or does it?In a 22 rider gate, there are...

So Ken has a one point lead going into SLC which theoretically gives him a slight advantage, or does it?

In a 22 rider gate, there are 462 possible outcomes between any two given riders (22 x 22 = 484 minus 22 because they both can't finish in the same position).

If either rider finishes 2 points ahead they take the title.  However there are a number of scenarios where they finish equal on points.  This would occur if Hunter finishes 18th (EDIT that should read 4th) or worse and just one spot ahead of Ken.  There are 18 such possibilities. 

It would then come down to tie breakers.  They are tied on 5 wins each, but the next level tie-breaker is most second place finishes.  Here Hunter has the advantage with 5 seconds vs 3 for Ken.  So those 18 possibilities where they end up tied are actually in favour of Hunter.

Where does this all end up?  When you calculate it all out there is mathematically each a precise 50% chance of winning based on finish position scenarios, so no rider has an advantage with certain scenarios working in their favour.

In other words, whoever finishes in front of the other guy wins the title.

ToolMaker wrote:

You went through all that just to get to this?

"whoever finishes in front of the other guy wins the title."

To be fair, AI likely did the heavy lifting 

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5/4/2026 8:59am

I REALLY want Kenny to win it but I think Hunter will get it done 

5/4/2026 9:02am
ando wrote:
So Ken has a one point lead going into SLC which theoretically gives him a slight advantage, or does it?In a 22 rider gate, there are...

So Ken has a one point lead going into SLC which theoretically gives him a slight advantage, or does it?

In a 22 rider gate, there are 462 possible outcomes between any two given riders (22 x 22 = 484 minus 22 because they both can't finish in the same position).

If either rider finishes 2 points ahead they take the title.  However there are a number of scenarios where they finish equal on points.  This would occur if Hunter finishes 18th (EDIT that should read 4th) or worse and just one spot ahead of Ken.  There are 18 such possibilities. 

It would then come down to tie breakers.  They are tied on 5 wins each, but the next level tie-breaker is most second place finishes.  Here Hunter has the advantage with 5 seconds vs 3 for Ken.  So those 18 possibilities where they end up tied are actually in favour of Hunter.

Where does this all end up?  When you calculate it all out there is mathematically each a precise 50% chance of winning based on finish position scenarios, so no rider has an advantage with certain scenarios working in their favour.

In other words, whoever finishes in front of the other guy wins the title.

The tiebreaker comes into play if Hunter finishes 4th or worse and Ken is right behind him. Not 18th or worse as you suggested.

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shuggs
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5/4/2026 9:03am

To me it will all depend on Roczens start in the main (assuming both make it drama free), with a top 3 start and first lap sprint he could (🤞) do it

1
BossWool2800
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5/4/2026 9:37am

I know we want Kenny to win it, but Hunter will holeshot and take it. 

So, possible outcomes - Hunter, Webb, Prado, Malcolm, Barcia, Roczen, Tomac 

Flatliner
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5/4/2026 10:00am
lumpy790 wrote:

Ask Damon Bradshaw 

He did melt a bit but was also injured. 

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Kevin852
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Fantasy
5/4/2026 11:01am
jaun wrote:

Kenny having 13 seconds put on him has the be in his head, definitely Hunter has the momentum.

I saw it just like Kenny said on the podium. He was in second, made a push, but did not gain any time. Then just settled in and made sure he got second. I just hope they both get out of the first turn safe in the top 5.  And then the race is on.  I am on Team Roczen. 

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ando
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5/4/2026 2:26pm
ando wrote:
So Ken has a one point lead going into SLC which theoretically gives him a slight advantage, or does it?In a 22 rider gate, there are...

So Ken has a one point lead going into SLC which theoretically gives him a slight advantage, or does it?

In a 22 rider gate, there are 462 possible outcomes between any two given riders (22 x 22 = 484 minus 22 because they both can't finish in the same position).

If either rider finishes 2 points ahead they take the title.  However there are a number of scenarios where they finish equal on points.  This would occur if Hunter finishes 18th (EDIT that should read 4th) or worse and just one spot ahead of Ken.  There are 18 such possibilities. 

It would then come down to tie breakers.  They are tied on 5 wins each, but the next level tie-breaker is most second place finishes.  Here Hunter has the advantage with 5 seconds vs 3 for Ken.  So those 18 possibilities where they end up tied are actually in favour of Hunter.

Where does this all end up?  When you calculate it all out there is mathematically each a precise 50% chance of winning based on finish position scenarios, so no rider has an advantage with certain scenarios working in their favour.

In other words, whoever finishes in front of the other guy wins the title.

TheMilkman wrote:

The tiebreaker comes into play if Hunter finishes 4th or worse and Ken is right behind him. Not 18th or worse as you suggested.

Oh yes, 4th place is 18 points, wrote the wrong thing.

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ando
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Perth AU
5/4/2026 2:28pm
ando wrote:
So Ken has a one point lead going into SLC which theoretically gives him a slight advantage, or does it?In a 22 rider gate, there are...

So Ken has a one point lead going into SLC which theoretically gives him a slight advantage, or does it?

In a 22 rider gate, there are 462 possible outcomes between any two given riders (22 x 22 = 484 minus 22 because they both can't finish in the same position).

If either rider finishes 2 points ahead they take the title.  However there are a number of scenarios where they finish equal on points.  This would occur if Hunter finishes 18th (EDIT that should read 4th) or worse and just one spot ahead of Ken.  There are 18 such possibilities. 

It would then come down to tie breakers.  They are tied on 5 wins each, but the next level tie-breaker is most second place finishes.  Here Hunter has the advantage with 5 seconds vs 3 for Ken.  So those 18 possibilities where they end up tied are actually in favour of Hunter.

Where does this all end up?  When you calculate it all out there is mathematically each a precise 50% chance of winning based on finish position scenarios, so no rider has an advantage with certain scenarios working in their favour.

In other words, whoever finishes in front of the other guy wins the title.

ToolMaker wrote:

You went through all that just to get to this?

"whoever finishes in front of the other guy wins the title."

Well often there are scenarios that give a slight edge to one rider in situations like this.

Mainly it was showing that Kenny’s one point lead is of no advantage to him.

Falcon
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5/4/2026 2:34pm

Great rundown, Ando! This is going to be a dogfight. 

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Mit12
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Lake Havasu City, AZ US
5/4/2026 3:39pm

Roczen has to finish in front of Hunter to win the championship. If Hunter and Roczen finishes tied in points Hunter wins the championship because they have the same amount of wins so it goes to Hunter has more top 5s. 

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5/4/2026 3:53pm

I know we want Kenny to win it, but Hunter will holeshot and take it. 

So, possible outcomes - Hunter, Webb, Prado, Malcolm, Barcia, Roczen, Tomac 

No, we don't want Kenny to win, you do.

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Rawly
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5/4/2026 4:09pm

Damn, did somebody get an essay assignment at school that requires at least six paragraphs ?

Spoonguy
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5/4/2026 4:38pm

I hope it doesn't turn into a slamfest. I also hope it doesn't turn into somebody getting a holeshot and running away.

ando
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Perth AU
5/4/2026 4:41pm

No, we don't want Kenny to win, you do.

Seriously?! Why not?

I think he means there are plenty of Aussies wanting Hunter to win, not ill feeling towards Kenny.

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5/4/2026 5:20pm

No, we don't want Kenny to win, you do.

Seriously?! Why not?

ando wrote:

I think he means there are plenty of Aussies wanting Hunter to win, not ill feeling towards Kenny.

Plenty of Americans pulling for Hunter too, myself included. 

1
5/4/2026 5:21pm

Two factors stand out to me;

  1. the SLC stadium is just 643 feet lower than the Denver stadium from an elevation perspective.  I think the HRC bike will run better at altitude.
  2. weather as of right now suggests perfect conditions.  When weather hasn’t been a factor, I think 96 does better.

    advantage; 96

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