Image: Octopi Media.

A breakout first 250MX moto win at Hangtown marked another milestone in Haiden Deegan’s young professional career, the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing talent achieving the feat in just his fourth Pro Motocross appearance.

Deegan contested two 250MX rounds last season, before turning pro full-time in the 250SX East championship this year, where he finished second overall after claiming heat race wins and three podiums in his debut season.

The 17-year-old then scored his first 250MX moto and overall podium during Pala’s 2023 Pro Motocross opener, finishing second in race two and claiming P2 overall.

After qualifying a lowly P13 on Saturday at Hangtown, Deegan launched to the holeshot in moto one to claim a wire-to-wire 250MX victory, ultimately taking the checkered flag in front of teammate Justin Cooper by 2.118s. A fourth-place finish in moto two saw the teenager complete the round third overall.

“First moto, I was able to get the holeshot, and that is the key to these races,” Deegan said. “Especially if you are still trying to find that winning speed still, and that’s definitely what I am looking for.

“Getting a holeshot like that gave me some confidence, and led the whole race, so I am super-amped about that, and got my first holeshot. Got to keep building off that. Second moto, didn’t have a great start, had to work through the pack and got to fourth, and yeah, it was good.”

Deegan is currently second in the 250MX standings, 10 points behind red plate-holder Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) as the outdoor championship moves to Thunder Valley this Saturday.