Sacha to race SMX NEXT. Lucas OUT until MX, Coenen Brothers UPDATE

Flatliner
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11/4/2026 4:04pm

Didn't he win by 33 seconds or something like that at Southwick? 

Us Yanks are cooked. 

Flatliner wrote:
Fast as all heck, but what good is it if he can't stay healthy.  I get the we can work with speed mentality, but eventually that...

Fast as all heck, but what good is it if he can't stay healthy.  I get the we can work with speed mentality, but eventually that has a limit.  Look at one my favourite riders ever,  Seb Tortelli.  

CPR wrote:

"...can't stay healthy..."?

Maybe I'm forgetting, but i think the only serious injury Sacha has had in recent years is the broken collarbone, and he kept racing.

100%. But he has a highlight reel of crashes.  SX is much less forgiving when things go wrong...  

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Kawboy14!
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11/4/2026 5:53pm

“He has to it’s the rules!” So says the people with the ability to add a new rule that corrects it all

8tensolutions
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Toste wrote:
SMX Next is the same idea as what was tried with 125SX when it was first introduced in 1986, and we all know how that turned...

SMX Next is the same idea as what was tried with 125SX when it was first introduced in 1986, and we all know how that turned out. This thing is just going to evolve into a 3rd pro class with a messy arbitrary "point out" system. I wish the powers that be in this sport would stop trying to blur the line between amateur and pro, but I'm guessing there are monetary reasons for them not to do that.

How would you suggest they do that? The fast amateurs have always had next level support.  

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bvm111
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11/4/2026 9:19pm

To: AMA Supercross Competitors

From: American Motorcyclist Association

Date: 11/2/2026

Subject: CB2027.01.SX, 2027 AMA Supercross Rulebook Updates

The following summary identifies changes and additions to the 2027 AMA Supercross Rulebook.

1.8.3 RIDER ELIGIBILITY

j. 250 Class Rider Eligibility

2. A rider may earn their AMA 250 license through the SMX Next class:

iii. Supercross licensed riders that have qualified in the top 40 into an evening program at an AMA Supercross event in the past three seasons are not eligible to compete in the SMX Next class.

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The Shop

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11/4/2026 10:14pm

If he didn’t and wadded up people would think they are silly for not giving this option a go. Get some experience before east. If you are playing the long game (protecting your investment), and put your ego in check, this makes way to much sense. 

If it goes terribly, then you know you have work to do. 

Let the forums talk, do a race or two, everyone forgets and Sacha goes on to have a successful career… hopefully. That’s the smart play. 

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1
11/5/2026 12:43am
Sully wrote:
No, anyone with a brain can actually see that a guy going into his 4th year as a pro shouldn't be racing against amateurs. If he's...

No, anyone with a brain can actually see that a guy going into his 4th year as a pro shouldn't be racing against amateurs. If he's not comfortable indoors, take the '27 SX season off, learn the craft and come out swinging for the '28 season.

Agreed. 

This is a similar argument to which ex-pros can race Loretta’s.

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crusty_xx
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11/5/2026 2:26am

Didn't he win by 33 seconds or something like that at Southwick? 

Us Yanks are cooked. 

Flatliner wrote:
Fast as all heck, but what good is it if he can't stay healthy.  I get the we can work with speed mentality, but eventually that...

Fast as all heck, but what good is it if he can't stay healthy.  I get the we can work with speed mentality, but eventually that has a limit.  Look at one my favourite riders ever,  Seb Tortelli.  

CPR wrote:

"...can't stay healthy..."?

Maybe I'm forgetting, but i think the only serious injury Sacha has had in recent years is the broken collarbone, and he kept racing.

Yeah he has missed less races than like 95% of pro racers on either side of the pond. Zero races missed in over 2 years. People act like he's constantly out with injury

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1
11/5/2026 3:32am

Who cares if a MX pro with no professional SX experience races a couple SMX rounds first. 

Besides a few SMX riders getting possibly beat who really cares. 

Maybe a few SMX riders beat a pro MX rider. 

Again, line up and race and see where you fit in SX, who cares.  

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kxking
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11/5/2026 3:55am
Who cares if a MX pro with no professional SX experience races a couple SMX rounds first. Besides a few SMX riders getting possibly beat who really...

Who cares if a MX pro with no professional SX experience races a couple SMX rounds first. 

Besides a few SMX riders getting possibly beat who really cares. 

Maybe a few SMX riders beat a pro MX rider. 

Again, line up and race and see where you fit in SX, who cares.  

This 100% ^^^

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Goon645
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11/5/2026 4:27am
Who cares if a MX pro with no professional SX experience races a couple SMX rounds first. Besides a few SMX riders getting possibly beat who really...

Who cares if a MX pro with no professional SX experience races a couple SMX rounds first. 

Besides a few SMX riders getting possibly beat who really cares. 

Maybe a few SMX riders beat a pro MX rider. 

Again, line up and race and see where you fit in SX, who cares.  

Who cares? The people writing him a check commensurate for a title contender watching him race with amateurs....yeah, probably them.

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JAKEDOWN492
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11/5/2026 4:39am Edited Date/Time 11/5/2026 4:45am

ya idk. My initial thoughts are that Sacha will smoke those amateurs. Ya he crashes and doesn’t have SX experience but we saw him win a MX moto after crashing while leading, breaking his collarbone and still winning the race. I just feel like if he can handle whoops then he will be on another level from the other SMX Next riders. If he struggles at all it will look like a smart decision. If not ppl will be annoyed. Can’t hate on a safety first decision though if he’s not comfortable racing SX yet.

 

It will be cool to see both Lucas and Sacha in the mix full-time starting next summer though.

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NicNak
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11/5/2026 8:07am

Honestly, Sacha wins an SX against everybody except maybe Davies. Davies is a demon. I'm sure Sacha would wreck in a few rounds for sure but I can see him absolutely putting belt to ass against everybody else at least 1x.

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aees
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11/5/2026 8:25am
Who cares if a MX pro with no professional SX experience races a couple SMX rounds first. Besides a few SMX riders getting possibly beat who really...

Who cares if a MX pro with no professional SX experience races a couple SMX rounds first. 

Besides a few SMX riders getting possibly beat who really cares. 

Maybe a few SMX riders beat a pro MX rider. 

Again, line up and race and see where you fit in SX, who cares.  

Goon645 wrote:

Who cares? The people writing him a check commensurate for a title contender watching him race with amateurs....yeah, probably them.

Ah, so you think they are not aware of this and has no part in it 😂 Title contender? Year 1? 🤦😂

Who gives a fuck. His first or second SX race ever will be against up and coming pro riders. SMX is all about being a stepping stone into SX. How the fuck does riding his first or second SX race ever not fit into that, for anyone. Specially with the type of rider he is. 

SX is a different sports everyone says. Need to start in 250 class if you never ridden before. But starting in the stepping stone class? Nope!

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matze
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11/5/2026 8:39am
Who cares if a MX pro with no professional SX experience races a couple SMX rounds first. Besides a few SMX riders getting possibly beat who really...

Who cares if a MX pro with no professional SX experience races a couple SMX rounds first. 

Besides a few SMX riders getting possibly beat who really cares. 

Maybe a few SMX riders beat a pro MX rider. 

Again, line up and race and see where you fit in SX, who cares.  

Goon645 wrote:

Who cares? The people writing him a check commensurate for a title contender watching him race with amateurs....yeah, probably them.

His team must’ve been so surprised when they saw the news on Instagram that he’s riding SMX Next!! Lmao they were probably the ones who advised him to do it in the first place. 

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Goon645
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11/5/2026 8:46am
Who cares if a MX pro with no professional SX experience races a couple SMX rounds first. Besides a few SMX riders getting possibly beat who really...

Who cares if a MX pro with no professional SX experience races a couple SMX rounds first. 

Besides a few SMX riders getting possibly beat who really cares. 

Maybe a few SMX riders beat a pro MX rider. 

Again, line up and race and see where you fit in SX, who cares.  

Goon645 wrote:

Who cares? The people writing him a check commensurate for a title contender watching him race with amateurs....yeah, probably them.

matze wrote:
His team must’ve been so surprised when they saw the news on Instagram that he’s riding SMX Next!! Lmao they were probably the ones who advised...

His team must’ve been so surprised when they saw the news on Instagram that he’s riding SMX Next!! Lmao they were probably the ones who advised him to do it in the first place. 

I didnt say his team werent aware - his team had no choice, if they did, he'd be in Europe!!!  But since they had to honor the USA dream what else can they do, if you think KTM is stoked on this whole deal then all good 🥱

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Toste
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11/5/2026 9:01am
Toste wrote:
SMX Next is the same idea as what was tried with 125SX when it was first introduced in 1986, and we all know how that turned...

SMX Next is the same idea as what was tried with 125SX when it was first introduced in 1986, and we all know how that turned out. This thing is just going to evolve into a 3rd pro class with a messy arbitrary "point out" system. I wish the powers that be in this sport would stop trying to blur the line between amateur and pro, but I'm guessing there are monetary reasons for them not to do that.

How would you suggest they do that? The fast amateurs have always had next level support.  

If the teams want developmental classes to evaluate talent more reliably, that's fine, but no TV coverage and no championship titles. If you want to be on TV, then turn pro. A line has to be drawn somewhere.

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tahoefd
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11/5/2026 9:13am
Toste wrote:
SMX Next is the same idea as what was tried with 125SX when it was first introduced in 1986, and we all know how that turned...

SMX Next is the same idea as what was tried with 125SX when it was first introduced in 1986, and we all know how that turned out. This thing is just going to evolve into a 3rd pro class with a messy arbitrary "point out" system. I wish the powers that be in this sport would stop trying to blur the line between amateur and pro, but I'm guessing there are monetary reasons for them not to do that.

How would you suggest they do that? The fast amateurs have always had next level support.  

Toste wrote:
If the teams want developmental classes to evaluate talent more reliably, that's fine, but no TV coverage and no championship titles. If you want to be...

If the teams want developmental classes to evaluate talent more reliably, that's fine, but no TV coverage and no championship titles. If you want to be on TV, then turn pro. A line has to be drawn somewhere.

And no near full factory bikes on the line. 

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11/5/2026 9:29am

I was thinking about this some more. And while I still do not think he belongs in the SMX next class.  The guys writing the checks at KTM must think he does. I would think by now he's spent some time on an SX track with the team on his new bike.  

 

Or maybe there's more to it. In the past it was possible to buy a license and there was an ex football player who many said did just that. He was way off the pace . Perhaps the AMA wants him to ride a futures race to close a loophole that may exist.  If  anybody that raced a MXGP could just sign up, are they worried that somebody would go to one of the MXGP's with lower turnouts and race it  then get their SX lic. using an exception that used to exist for FIM licensed racers?  Or perhaps its even just to promote the SMX next class and get more guys wanting to run it. 

 

Maybe they are just trolling and its all just to hype up the message boards and youtube. And give KTM and Sacha's sponsors some more promotion. 

 

He may lack gate drops on an SX track. But I bet he's done a lot of laps on one. And if not, how crazy would that be for everybody involved ? Even as a local B level rider with a buddy that was a decent local pro . I wanted to ride an SX track and wanted my buddy to try and race one. Back then he did have an 450 SX license but wouldn't try and race one unless he had a track to ride for a while first.  I built one at my old bosses house that I wanted to slowly make into more and more of a real SX track. But I hurt myself during a lunch break and his kid started to complain that he wasn't able to do any of the jumps on the track. So I had to water it down. But if somebody like me was able to get that close to building my own SX track. These kids have to have spent a decent amount of time on one. Maybe he's just not as good on one as he is at MX? but it still seems  backwards to sign him to a multi year SX and MX deal and then send him out in the class meant for riders that are trying to prove themselves  to get a spot on a team.  

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LIVEWIRE
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21 hours ago
ando wrote:
List of non-American riders who have won either a 250SX or 450SX championship:JMBMickael PichonStephane RoncadaGrant LangstonChad ReedBen TownleyChristophe PourcelKen RoczenMarvin MusquinDylan FerrandisJett LawrenceHunter LawrenceTom VialleCole Davies List...

List of non-American riders who have won either a 250SX or 450SX championship:

JMB

Mickael Pichon

Stephane Roncada

Grant Langston

Chad Reed

Ben Townley

Christophe Pourcel

Ken Roczen

Marvin Musquin

Dylan Ferrandis

Jett Lawrence

Hunter Lawrence

Tom Vialle

Cole Davies

 

List of ex-GP/Euro riders who have won either a 250MX or 450MX championship:

JMB

Greg Albertyn

Grant Langston

Chad Reed

Ken Roczen

Dylan Ferrandis

Jett Lawrence

Hunter Lawrence

Cole Davies

 

This notion that Euro/non-American riders come to the US and fail at supercross is just a myth.

 

Agreed. 
World class riders will always rise to the top or very close to it. 

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LIVEWIRE
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20 hours ago
ramey23 wrote:

Would be kinda funny if 1 or 2 of the smx next kids straight up beat him in a few rounds. 

kxking wrote:

Wait, you mean because they are experienced SX riders who have been doing it for years?

Just curious.

I wonder what is the average age for a pro prospect to try a full blown supercross track. And then to practice on one regularly. I think guys like Deegan and AC start a little younger than the average pro prospect on a high risk supercross track. 

LIVEWIRE
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20 hours ago Edited Date/Time 20 hours ago

Didn't he win by 33 seconds or something like that at Southwick? 

Us Yanks are cooked. 

Personally, I don’t get into the US versus Euro competition arguments. 
I very much enjoy all and respect all world class riders, especially when they bring their talent to the US. In fact, guys like Kenny make me want to see them win. I accept generational talents as they come. In fact, I wish we could’ve seen more of the “bullet” on US Terra Firma. 
Heck, even when riders are cocky, disrespectful and arrogant it just adds to the drama for me. I call that the FOFO factor when karma hits them hard. And when they can back it up, it is what it is. 
Low key guys like Kenny and especially Eli are a blessing. 

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8tensolutions
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19 hours ago

How would you suggest they do that? The fast amateurs have always had next level support.  

Toste wrote:
If the teams want developmental classes to evaluate talent more reliably, that's fine, but no TV coverage and no championship titles. If you want to be...

If the teams want developmental classes to evaluate talent more reliably, that's fine, but no TV coverage and no championship titles. If you want to be on TV, then turn pro. A line has to be drawn somewhere.

tahoefd wrote:

And no near full factory bikes on the line. 

No TV?  I like watching the SMX Next kids and that is part of the preparation to being in the pro class.  No "near factory bikes"?  What does that actually mean?  The 250 class has rules in place already for that purpose, but the bikes are still wildly different.  If you have the cash, you can buy damn near a full PC race bike......but you still have to ride it.

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8tensolutions
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19 hours ago
ramey23 wrote:

Would be kinda funny if 1 or 2 of the smx next kids straight up beat him in a few rounds. 

kxking wrote:

Wait, you mean because they are experienced SX riders who have been doing it for years?

LIVEWIRE wrote:
Just curious.I wonder what is the average age for a pro prospect to try a full blown supercross track. And then to practice on one regularly...

Just curious.

I wonder what is the average age for a pro prospect to try a full blown supercross track. And then to practice on one regularly. I think guys like Deegan and AC start a little younger than the average pro prospect on a high risk supercross track. 

With facilities now, that starts before they are on 250's. 

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gt80rider
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18 hours ago Edited Date/Time 18 hours ago

Ideally - he runs a rd or two of futures then races east coast next yr, him and his bro aren't complete noobs to sx tracks.... he gonna wad his brains out regardless if he's futures or east coast... he may as well wad while racing 4 the east title.... same can b said 4 his twin bro... 

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tahoefd
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18 hours ago
Toste wrote:
If the teams want developmental classes to evaluate talent more reliably, that's fine, but no TV coverage and no championship titles. If you want to be...

If the teams want developmental classes to evaluate talent more reliably, that's fine, but no TV coverage and no championship titles. If you want to be on TV, then turn pro. A line has to be drawn somewhere.

tahoefd wrote:

And no near full factory bikes on the line. 

No TV?  I like watching the SMX Next kids and that is part of the preparation to being in the pro class.  No "near factory bikes"...

No TV?  I like watching the SMX Next kids and that is part of the preparation to being in the pro class.  No "near factory bikes"?  What does that actually mean?  The 250 class has rules in place already for that purpose, but the bikes are still wildly different.  If you have the cash, you can buy damn near a full PC race bike......but you still have to ride it.

What I was thinking with "no near factory bikes" is, if this is supposed to be a "development" class, or something to that effect, keep it a bit more simple and cost effective to develope rider skill. The creme will still rise to the top.

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vdrsnk04
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18 hours ago
Sully wrote:
Question for the people who think Sacha racing SMX Next is a good idea:  If Lucas sits out SX all together, does that mean he can...

Question for the people who think Sacha racing SMX Next is a good idea:  If Lucas sits out SX all together, does that mean he can drop down to SMX Next in '28 even though he's likely to have at least a couple of 450 outdoor wins under his belt? He has the same amount of SX experience as Sacha, so where do you stand on that?

They are 2 different people so we can’t put them in the same basket. That was proven during mxgp.

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8tensolutions
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17 hours ago
tahoefd wrote:

And no near full factory bikes on the line. 

No TV?  I like watching the SMX Next kids and that is part of the preparation to being in the pro class.  No "near factory bikes"...

No TV?  I like watching the SMX Next kids and that is part of the preparation to being in the pro class.  No "near factory bikes"?  What does that actually mean?  The 250 class has rules in place already for that purpose, but the bikes are still wildly different.  If you have the cash, you can buy damn near a full PC race bike......but you still have to ride it.

tahoefd wrote:
What I was thinking with "no near factory bikes" is, if this is supposed to be a "development" class, or something to that effect, keep it...

What I was thinking with "no near factory bikes" is, if this is supposed to be a "development" class, or something to that effect, keep it a bit more simple and cost effective to develope rider skill. The creme will still rise to the top.

I get that and they already do that at the amateur level.  The teams bringing the top talent up with still have superior equipment.   The real difference on the factory teams is the attention the rider gets and a fresh bike every ride. 

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Goon645
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17 hours ago
vdrsnk04 wrote:

They are 2 different people so we can’t put them in the same basket. That was proven during mxgp.

They both ruined their MXGP title chances at the exact same American race - method of doing so was yard-sailing on both counts. Twins indeed 

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matze
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17 hours ago
vdrsnk04 wrote:

They are 2 different people so we can’t put them in the same basket. That was proven during mxgp.

Goon645 wrote:

They both ruined their MXGP title chances at the exact same American race - method of doing so was yard-sailing on both counts. Twins indeed 

Wrong

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CPR
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16 hours ago
vdrsnk04 wrote:

They are 2 different people so we can’t put them in the same basket. That was proven during mxgp.

Goon645 wrote:

They both ruined their MXGP title chances at the exact same American race - method of doing so was yard-sailing on both counts. Twins indeed 

Lucas’s injury came from in a GP.

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