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Welcome to Anaheim 1 week and we are only one more sleep until a new season begins. I will start the new year with a new twist on this amazing column. Here are 10 things I think I think about the 2026 season…
I think… Cooper Webb will win the title
I’ve written about this a lot, but here is my reasoning once again:
It won’t start pretty, but once we go to the East Coast, Webb will find his stride and grind his way into the championship lead. It’s what he does, and until he doesn’t, I have to put him at the top.
I think… If Eli Tomac wins the title, he’ll retire
I also predicted this in 2024… and I believe it to be true this year as well. Tomac is 33 and while I think he has plenty left in him, I think if he wins the title, he’ll walk off into the sunset and go tend to his farm and enjoy life.
I think… Cooper Webb passes Ryan Dungey on the all-time wins list
Don’t look now, but Webb is building himself quite the resume in Supercross. Consider this: Only Jeremy McGrath (7) and Ricky Carmichael (5) have five or more titles. Next on the list: Ryan Villopoto and Ryan Dungey with 4. Webb is currently tied for fifth all-time with Jeff Stanton and Bob Hannah with 3.
Currently 8th on the all-time wins list with 30 career wins, Webb only needs five wins to move past Ryan Dungey (34) for seventh all-time. It’s the exact amount of wins he captured in 2025. I think he does it again and moves to within striking distance of Ryan Villopoto (41) in sixth.
Lets say Webb wins a title this year, which would move him into a tie for third all-time and he wins 5 times (which would push him past Dungey on the all-time wins list into seventh), and he finds a way to capture a fifth title before retiring and sneaks past Chad Reed (44) on the all-time wins list, it would be hard to leave him off a top 10 list.
I think…. Chase Sexton will win 7 times again
Seven riders captured at least one victory in 2025 with Sexton leading the way with 7. Webb was the only other rider with multiple wins and while I don’t see that being the case again in 2026 (I think Roczen and Tomac win multiple times as well), I do see Sexton winning 7 times again. New bike, don’t care. He has so much speed he’s going to be hard to stop at most rounds.
I think… Ducati will have growing pains
In the long run, Ducati will be fine. Look at what they do on the world stage in street bike racing. They build amazing machines and teams. Such will be the case in SMX… in due time. I think they have a similar year to what Triumph had when they debuted: some really good results and lots of growing pains.
I think…. We will have a first-time winner in 2026
Hunter Lawrence anyone? Yep, crazy to think, but he’s never won a 450SX race. That will change this year.
I think… Justin Cooper will have a top three season
Quick: Who finished third in points in 2025?
Waiting….
That would be one Justin Cooper. While he didn’t have much hype entering the 450 Class, he has been steady every step of the way since moving up full-time. If he figured out the whoops, watch out, he may join Hunter as a first-time winner.
I think…. Joey Savatgy will have a breakout year
I feel (maybe I’m wrong) this is the first time in Joe Dog’s 450 career that he has some consistency in his program. He’s entering his second year with QuadLock Honda, spent the entire winter with them in the FIM World Supercross Championship and although he lost the title to Jason Anderson in heart breaking fashion, he was really, really solid. People forget that Joe Dog put in two top fives last year and was a consistent top 10 threat all season. I think Joey finds his stride this year and finishes top 6 in points.
I think… Jason Anderson will surprise, in a good way
Coming off a World Supercross title, and back with Suzuki, I like this fit for Anderson. It is a chill atmosphere under the PMG tent and that suits JA. Look at what that team has done for Kenny. He loves it there. I think Anderson will find the same and contend for podiums, and maybe wins, again in 2026.
I think… Malcolm Stewart stays in the title fight for much of the year
I HAVE THE FEVER FOR 2026!
