- Cole Davies dominated Washougal with a perfect 1-1 performance for his third overall win of the season.
- The Yamaha rider slashed Levi Kitchen’s championship lead to just seven points with three rounds remaining.
- Davies continues to lead the overall SMX World Championship standings after another outstanding weekend.
One week after losing the championship lead in heartbreaking fashion, New Zealand’s Cole Davies responded with a flawless 1-1 performance at Washougal to reignite the 250 Pro Motocross Championship battle.
Just one week after suffering the biggest setback of his season, Kiwi motocross star Cole Davies has responded in the best possible way, producing a flawless 1-1 performance at Washougal to throw himself straight back into the 250 Pro Motocross Championship fight.
The Waitoki rider arrived at the iconic Washington circuit with a point to prove after a disastrous outing at Spring Creek in Minnesota. A crash damaged his Yamaha’s fuel tank, forcing him out of the race and costing him both the championship lead and the coveted red plate.
Rather than dwelling on the disappointment, the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider delivered arguably his most complete performance of the outdoor season.
Davies set the fastest qualifying time before converting that speed into two commanding race wins, leading every lap of the opening moto before backing it up with another clinical ride in the second.
“After last weekend I knew I had to step up my game,” Davies said after the race.
“I had a good day today and made up a lot of points. I’m stoked. I feel like we took a big step in the right direction today. Had a fun day. It was good.”
Championship fight back on
The victory couldn’t have come at a better time.
Championship leader Levi Kitchen endured a frustrating day at his home circuit, finishing sixth in both motos after first-turn drama in the opening race. The result allowed Davies to slash Kitchen’s championship advantage from 25 points to just seven, with only three rounds remaining in the 250 Pro Motocross Championship.
It’s a remarkable turnaround considering where Davies found himself just seven days earlier.
His Spring Creek DNF looked like it might derail what has been a breakthrough outdoor campaign, but Washougal demonstrated why the New Zealander has become one of the hottest young talents in American motocross.
A season to remember
Washougal marked Davies’ third overall victory of the Pro Motocross season and his second perfect 1-1 sweep of the year.
His recent form has been nothing short of outstanding.
After claiming his maiden outdoor overall at High Point with a dominant 1-1 performance, Davies backed it up with another victory at the famous RedBud National before taking over the championship lead at the gruelling Southwick sand circuit. Even the disappointment of Minnesota has done little to halt his momentum, with Washougal immediately putting him back in championship contention.
Beyond the AMA Pro Motocross title chase, Davies also continues to lead the overall SMX World Championship regular season standings, highlighting the consistency he has shown across both the Supercross and Pro Motocross campaigns.
New Zealand’s brightest motocross prospect
Still only in his second full professional season in the United States, Davies has quickly established himself as one of the genuine stars of the 250 class.
The Yamaha factory rider has shown race-winning speed all year, combining explosive starts with the maturity to manage races from the front. At Washougal, he looked completely in control, never putting a wheel wrong as he bounced back from adversity in championship-winning fashion.
With three rounds remaining, the title fight is far from over.
Kitchen still holds the advantage, but if Davies can continue the form that has already delivered three overall wins this summer, New Zealand could soon be celebrating one of its biggest achievements in international motocross in recent times.
The 250 Pro Motocross Championship resumes after the series’ summer break, with Davies carrying plenty of momentum into the closing stages of what is shaping up to be a thrilling championship battle.
Images: SMX, Cole Davies socials
