on the overall win but came up
just short. The pass by Kitchen
saw the overall win slip through
Bennick's hands as 1-3 finishes
put him second on the day. Still,
it was a great ride for Bennick,
and his first SMX Playoffs
podium moves him up to fourth
in the points.
"I've got to be happy with
today," Bennick said. "Two solid
motos. I had [the win] with two
laps to go, but Levi was riding
good. I've got to give it to him.
I'm just grateful for a great day
and excited to start the Playoffs
like this."
Ryder DiFrancesco made it
two Rockstar Energy Husqvar-
nas on the overall podium.
DiFrancesco continued his
breakout season with a hard-
fought third to start the day.
This effort included an early
crash and a last-lap pass for a
spot on the box. A fourth in race
two couldn't move him up any
further, and solid laps to finish
the moto made him the third-
best rider of the day. Ryder D is
now second in the overall points
going into round two.
"Consistency is crucial on a
day like today," said DiFrances-
co. "We got off to a decent start
[in moto two], and I just rode
my laps. I want to win one of
these things, but last year these
guys were super-consistent, and
that's my goal for this year so
we can show up at Missouri and
have a shot at [the title]."
Max Vohland returned from
injury and came away with
fourth overall after going 4-6.
Cameron McAdoo also returned
from injury and rounded out the
top five overall.
"I'm pretty stoked on my day
overall in Ohio at the first round
of the Playoffs," McAdoo said.
"I always enjoy a good mudder,
especially when I can keep it on
two wheels all day."
Overall, Caden Dudney took
sixth ahead of Chance Hymas,
Landen Gordon, Drew Adams
and Davies.
SMX Next
The SMX Next World All-Stars
kicked off a shortened main
event for the first of two Play-
ROUND 1 / SEPTEMBER 12, 2026
HISTORIC CREW STADIUM | COLUMBUS, OHIO
SUPERMOTOCROSS I MONSTER ENERGY AMA SUPERMOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
P72
Ryder DiFrancesco
completed the
250SMX podium.
