Jett Lawrence To Miss SuperMotocross Playoffs for Ankle Surgery
· Yahoo Sports
Three-time SMX champ goes under the knife Sept. 9
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Photo by Honda.The reigning SuperMotocross World Champion won't defend his crown, after American Honda confirmed Jett Lawrence will sit out all three rounds of the 2026 SMX Playoffs. Lawrence will instead undergo follow-up surgery on the right ankle that has troubled him all year.
The injury dates back to last December, when Lawrence hurt the ankle in training, keeping him out of the entire AMA Supercross Championship. He returned for the opening round of the AMA Pro Motocross season and was competitive throughout the outdoor series, winning four rounds and finishing second to his brother and teammate Hunter Lawrence in the final standings. But he raced through pain the whole way. That came to a head at Ironman Raceway, where he aggravated the ankle during the opening moto of the season finale and experienced what Honda described as "a renewed level of intense pain and instability."
Lawrence is scheduled for surgery September 9, at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado. Specialists there will continue to treat him through his recovery.
"I've made the decision with my team to sit out the SMX series to get my ankle back to 100% for the longevity of my career," Lawrence said. "I suffered through the summer and did everything I could to win the outdoor championship, but my ankle hasn't felt right since the start of the season, and it's even worse now after Ironman. I want to do everything I can to get back to being me."
The absence is a significant one. Lawrence has won the SMX 450 Playoffs every year since the format's inception in 2023, taking home the $1 million prize three times. This year, Jett Lawrence would have held the fourth seed in the 450 class playoffs, behind Hunter Lawrence, Jorge Prado, and Cooper Webb. Instead, his absence will open up a spot for a rider competing in the Wild Card race.
The Honda HRC Progressive team still fields a strong lineup for the playoff opener September 12 in Columbus, Ohio. Newly crowned 450 AMA Pro Motocross Champion Hunter Lawrence carries the premier-class hopes. Jo Shimoda - the reigning 250 SMX Champion - and Chance Hymas ride in the support class.
"We're sorry that Jett won't be able to go for his fourth consecutive SMX Championship, but the entire team supports him in this decision," said Brandon Wilson, Manager of Racing & Experiential at American Honda. "He has a long career ahead of him, and we're in full support of doing what's necessary to get back as close to 100% as possible."
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