Jason Anderson was lost in the shadows in April, a former champion fading from view. But an unexpected Pro Motocross resurgence has reminded the paddock of his value and it may well earn him another shot in the SMX World Championship. 

Anderson, set to exit the Kawasaki fold after four successful years, has been unwavering in his pursuit of a 2026 deal. While the absence of a 'green' option might leave him feeling a little blue, factory opportunities with Suzuki and Ducati remain firmly in play and of interest to 2018's Monster Energy AMA Supercross champion.

"You know just as much as I do," Anderson laughed when presented with a question about his future. "I have opportunities to race but, at the same time, I definitely want to be on a factory program. That is something that I am pretty adamant about. If I'm not then I would rather just not race. I do have opportunities on factory programs too..."

Anderson won the same number of 450SX main events as a Kawasaki star as he did in Husqvarna colors, and in almost half the time (four seasons versus seven). That challenges the narrative that he is past his prime or already checked out of top-level action – his nonchalant persona confuses most and prompts questions about his desire to continue partaking in motorsport's most grueling calendar.

Michael Lindsay

Yet, his plan to compete in the 2026 SMX World Championship is firm provided that his support level is deemed worthwhile. Whilst such an approach could anger traditional fans, Anderson has so little to gain from floundering outside of the top ten on a subpar effort that lacks the resources necessary to compete with the full-factory teams that he knows so well.

"Even if I'm racing for tenth or whatever, I need to be on a program that has the resources to develop the bike to be better in order to help me get better," Anderson reaffirmed. "I'm looking for a team with a whole package, just as Kawasaki has offered me for the last four years. It has been amazing." Rumors of discussions with Team Tedder and Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha sit next to the Suzuki and Ducati speculation.

With their bid to acquire Eli Tomac proving futile, Ducati could move focus to the abundance of experience that Anderson possesses in order to develop their Desmo450 for indoor competition. Being linked to a luxury brand, and investing in its evolution, could help spur him on in the latter portion of his career too, providing a fresh outlook and opportunity.

Equally, a return to the manufacturer where he started his professional path – and took his first supercross win – would provide a full-circle moment and a fitting final act. Suzuki may lack Ducati's prestige or promise of rapid innovation but it presents a known quantity and a race-proven platform, one that aligns with the expectations Anderson laid out above.

For a rider once dismissed as a fading force, Jason Anderson has re-emerged at the right time. His current form, paired with a clear understanding of what he needs to succeed, puts him in a rare position of leverage. Whether it's helping Ducati carve a new path or guiding Suzuki back to relevance, Anderson still has the tools to make a meaningful impact. The shadows may have crept in, but he's proving there is plenty of light left in his career.