Jett Lawrence, the reigning SuperMotocross World Champion, will not be defending his title this year as he prepares to undergo surgery on his right ankle. The decision was confirmed by American Honda, which announced that Lawrence will miss all three rounds of the 2026 SMX Playoffs.
Lawrence's ankle injury has been a persistent issue since December, when he sustained the injury during a training session. This setback forced him to miss the entire AMA Supercross Championship season. Despite the pain, Lawrence made a strong return for the AMA Pro Motocross season, where he showcased his competitive spirit by winning four rounds and finishing as the runner-up to his brother, Hunter Lawrence, in the final standings. However, the pain became unbearable during the season finale at Ironman Raceway, where he aggravated the injury, leading to what Honda described as "a renewed level of intense pain and instability."
Scheduled for surgery on September 9 at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado, Lawrence will have specialists overseeing his recovery process. In a statement, he expressed his determination to prioritize his long-term health, saying, "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. 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."
Lawrence's absence from the playoffs is a notable loss for the competition. Since the inception of the SMX 450 Playoffs in 2023, he has dominated the series, winning the championship every year and taking home the impressive $1 million prize three times. This year, he was set to enter the playoffs as the fourth seed in the 450 class, following his brother Hunter Lawrence, Jorge Prado, and Cooper Webb. His withdrawal opens up a spot for another rider to compete in the Wild Card race.
Despite the setback with Jett Lawrence, the Honda HRC Progressive team remains a formidable presence in the upcoming playoff opener scheduled for September 12 in Columbus, Ohio. Hunter Lawrence, who recently clinched the 450 AMA Pro Motocross Championship, will lead the team’s efforts in the premier class. Additionally, Jo Shimoda, the reigning 250 SMX Champion, and Chance Hymas will be competing in the support class.
Brandon Wilson, Manager of Racing & Experiential at American Honda, expressed the team's support for Jett's decision, stating, "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. 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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