Power Rankings: Riders Who Exceeded Expectations in Pro Motocross

For 34 years GUTS Racing has prided themselves on being the innovators in seat technology. If you’re looking for a comfortable and stylish place to park your rear end on your dirt bike then look no further. GUTS carries an extensive product line of seat covers and foam no matter what you ride!

Welcome to MY annual Power Rankings article after the Pro Motocross season where I rank some riders who exceeded my expectations. No, it is not technically the end of Pro Motocross. And, yes, this is technically my first year doing this. But let’s not worry about semantics and talk ball.

I wasn’t exactly sure what to call this list. Breakout stars? Biggest surprises? Most improved? None of those quite fit. So instead, I kept it simple: the riders who exceeded expectations this summer.

How they got there doesn’t really matter. Maybe they were returning from injury, adapting to a new team, stepping into a new class, trying to revive a career, or simply performing at a level nobody saw coming. The circumstances are different, but the common thread is the same: they were better than we (I) expected them to be.

There’s still one round and four motos left, but I’ve seen enough. Whatever happens at Ironman, these five have already done enough to earn their spot on the list.

5: Ryder DiFrancesco

Not every rider develops at the same speed. Some hit quickly, while others take a few years to adjust to the demands of professional racing. Ryder D was a hot prospect coming out of the amateur ranks but his first few years were filled with inconsistency. Last year is where I really feel we started to see the real Ryder D. He went 4-5 to open the 250SX West Region before suffering a massive injury leading into round 3. While he returned for Pro Motocross, he wasn’t quite the same. Fast forward a year and Ryder has found his true form. Fourth overall in the West Region and currently fifth in Pro Motocross with a chance at fourth in the standings. If he remains healthy, 2027 could be where we see Ryder challenge for titles.

4: Garrett Marchbanks

His crash at Washougal skews where he is in points, but consider this: Garrett has five top five overall finishes through 10 rounds. You, nor I, expected this. I thought he would be a top 10 guy, sure. But a consistent threat to podium, I did not have on my bingo card. Kawasaki took a chance on Marchbanks and it has paid off big time. Glad to see he’ll get another season to showcase himself in the 450 Class with a factory ride.

3: Mark Fineis

Fineis was OUT of professional racing. He was training kids. Then, he went to RedBud, showed out on a stock bike, got a ride ISTR Kawasaki and got top five in a moto at Unadilla. This is the stuff Hollywood movies are made up. Supercross the Movie 2?

2: Julien Beaumer

This has nothing to do with his talent or that “he’s not an outdoor rider” but that I don’t think anyone knew how he would return from a career threatening injury. That he not only made the start of Pro Motocross, but that he was in thick of a the title chase much of the summer was eye opening. If not for the next guy on this list, JuJu would (maybe should have?) be number 1 on my list.

1: Carson Mumford

I have a theory: If GEICO Honda doesn’t shut down, I think what we’ve seen from Carson Mumford in 2026 is the rider we would have seen from the start of his pro career. Talent has never been in question with Mumford. Injuries and lack of opportunities have. He finally found his footing and a strong team in AEO Powersports KTM and was ON FIRE this summer. After three top-10 finishes in the first six rounds, Mumford went nuclear with consecutive top-five overalls, including back-to-back fourths heading into Budds Creek. The streak continued with a fourth in the opening moto before an incident with another rider early in Moto 2 left him with a dislocated wrist, ending his 2026 season. Fortunately Mumford already has a deal with AEO for 2027 and I (we) expect big things for next year and beyond.