The Weekend Breakdown | 2026 Philadelphia

Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field could have turned Monster Energy AMA Supercross upside down. Whilst the Pennsylvania 'mudder' did not upset the status quo, it was a poignant step towards 450SX's conclusion. Lewis Phillips' recapitulation tackles the impact.

KENNY'S RISE TO THE RED

Ken Roczen's story has dominated the last month. Philadelphia's rain-soaked race only reinforced that sentiment, as his main event win added yet more to an already remarkable run. Roczen has led more laps than in any other year (six more than what he led in 2020) and matched his career high for wins in an indoor term.

Additionally, he has never scored six consecutive podiums like this before. It's fitting that Philadelphia acted as the launchpad for this Roczen appreciation – it was his 175th start in the premier class of Monster Energy AMA Supercross. I wrote more about this moment (and the questions that should be asked of him) last week.

This run of form has helped steer the narrative from the injuries that he suffered in both 2017 and 2018, and the subsequential immune problems, but that loiters as the series heads to altitude. There's a belief in the paddock – perhaps amongst those in support of Hunter Lawrence's run – that Colorado and Utah will disrupt his momentum. Is it credible?

It's true that Roczen has only stood on the podium in either state thrice since those astonishing injuries. However, context is critical. '94' has missed 33% of those races since 2017 and not raced in either location since 2023 due to late-season injuries. Further, in 2023, he was second in Denver and withdrew from Salt Lake City on lap one with a suspected knee issue, so it's hardly reliable data.

The assumption is skewed by the 'Salt Lake City Seven' that concluded 2020's pandemic season. It was just one season, nevertheless, so far from indicative of a trend and hardly relevant, considering that he dealt with shingles across that stint. Simply, the jury is out. The past is hardly relevant in this instance and the truth will soon reveal itself.

Verdict: Roczen will be just as excellent as altitude looms.

WEBB WIPES TITLE HOPES

Cooper Webb was explosive in the wake of his Philadelphia defeat, pointing to Roczen's stereotypical fades and lapped riders' impact on the outcome. It's likely that his outburst was less about that race and more about a missed opportunity to insert himself back into the title picture.

The mud posed a chance to take points away from both Roczen and Hunter Lawrence. Ultimately, he lost one.

"This was a must win and I was not able to do that," Webb said in the post-race press event. "Like Ken said, the lappers were brutal. It was not just him – I'm sure he will watch that and see it. I think we know how Kenny is late in the race, so I started catching him there in the end and ran out of time. The shorter main event didn't help us tonight. I was able to close in late but couldn't execute."

Whilst it is unlikely that he'll defend his crown, another win (a traditional main event triumph continues to elude him) would soften that blow. The numbers are not as bad, admittedly, but the current statistics are not too different to that horrid 2022 defense (one more win and three more podiums). It's never an ideal time to have a tricky term like this, but it cannot help his bargaining power for a supercross-only deal in 2027.

Verdict: Webb's odd 2026 will likely be a reference point.

KAWASAKI'S NEW MOTOR

Kawasaki's factory effort could be pardoned for shifting attention to the Pro Motocross season, as their hopes of a 450SX crown (their first since 2020) dissolved when Chase Sexton fell before Daytona. Instead, however, they entered Lincoln Financial Field with a new motor that was considered a marked improvement on the last edition.

The inclement weather stopped it being truly tested in race conditions (and there are countless examples of these 'positive' changes not translating to a competitive environment) but there was cause for optimism. Kyle Chisholm offered some fascinating insight in his role as Kawasaki's (unofficial?) test rider, a position that he's occupied for the last two months. 

"They had a new motor package for Pro Motocross," Chisholm said on the eve of Philadelphia's event. "I'm not just saying this: it's one of the best 450F motors that I have ridden. I could see where the motors that I first rode could be improved. I was really impressed with the new one. I've ridden a lot of 450s and factory bikes, but this motor package is really good. 

"I feel like we made some chassis and suspension improvements too. I think we did learn quite a bit during the outdoor stuff. It was stuff that I felt would translate to supercross. They did that, albeit for one day, but we took some of what we learned to supercross on Wednesday. There's room to grow, of course, but the engine was really positive.

"I liked the motor better on supercross," he continued. "It's better all around. There are a handful of adjustments – gearing and stuff – for supercross, but it was an improvement on what it was. We made progress with it before and this was a bigger difference than the gains that we made before. I don't know what they changed."

Kawasaki's hope is that success will land at the tail end of this indoor stint and offer some motivation (optimism is perhaps more critical) ahead of Pro Motocross. It's of note that the manufacturer has one less podium than last year. The last time Kawasaki had just two podiums in 450SX was 2015 – those came from Chad Reed's program rather than the official effort.

Podiums at the final two rounds would leave Sexton with one less podium than what Tomac secured in his initial 'green' campaign. Is that valuable context?

Verdict: Is this a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel?

DAVIES DIFFERS TO RULES

Cole Davies' maiden professional championship barely had time to breathe before the conversation shifted to his future. That leap's premature, however, as winning this title in just his second year does not necessarily mean he must move to 450SX in 2028. However, it's true that no matter what he'll be in the premier division in 2029.

Simply, if Davies wins a 250SX crown in 2027 then he must move to the 450SX class in 2028. If he doesn't win the title in 2027 – injuries, mechanical issues and whatnot could stop that – then he is eligible to contest one more season (2028). Moving to the 450SX class in 2029 would be in line with the movements made by Jett Lawrence and Haiden Deegan.

A rider that wins a second 250 Championship will be eligible to participate in the 250 class for a maximum of three years total regardless of what year they won their second title. (i.e., if a rider wins their second Championship in their third year of 250 competition, they will be ineligible for the 250 class.)