Main image by Mitch Kendra

Today at RedBud MX in Buchanan, Michigan, the second SMX Next – Motocross will see over 20 talented prospects compete during the second gathering of the Scouting Moto Combine. Riders will go through two qualifying sessions and two motos, with sessions in between learning some of the behind-the-scenes workings of a professional round of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship. While we will see a trio of riders stand on the overall podium at the end of the day, there is no championship standings as this program is all for the riders to learn the program and get themselves in front of different OEMs and members of the industry. There is no way to watch the racing live unless you are at the track. So, here what happened at RedBud MX for Friday’s Scouting Moto Combine.

Here is the full entry list.

#2 Jeremy Fappani / Scottsdale, Arizona / KTM
#10 Wyatt Thurman / Burleson, Texas / KTM
#15 Thor Powell / Jacksonville, Florida / Yamaha
#18 Landen Gordon / Atascadero, California / Kawasaki
#19 Deacon Denno / Fort Worth, Texas / KTM
#21 Enzo Temmerman / Visalia, California / Kawasaki
#22 Jonathan Getz / Old Town, Florida / Husqvarna
#23 Landon Gibson / Peachtree City, Georgia / Husqvarna
#24 Owen Covell / Plymouth, Massachusetts / Yamaha
#27 Vincent Wey / Murrieta, California / Kawasaki
#29 McKayden Fitch / Elbert, Colorado / Yamaha
#32 Leum Oehlhof / Cairo, Georgia / Honda
#43 Tiger Wood / Townsville, Queensland, Australia / Honda
#46 Luke Fauser / Midland, Pennsylvania / KTM
#77 Jayden Wolf / Franklin, Wisconsin / Kawasaki
#89 Christopher Schroeder / Baroda, Michigan / KTM
#124 Brock Walker / Cleburne, Texas / Honda
#177 Kade Johnson / Hideaway, Texas / Yamaha
#221 Jayce Wolf / Franklin, Wisconsin / Kawasaki
#257 Jesson Turner / Lockesburg, Arkansas / Yamaha
#260 Carson Wood / Zephyrhills, Florida / Yamaha
#361 Austin Schafer / Hamer, South Carolina / KTM
#492 Landon Hartz / Wilsonville, Alabama / Yamaha
#524 Diesel Thomas / Raymond, Nebraska / Husqvarna
#981 Ryder Malinoski / Wyoming, Minnesota / Yamaha

Note: Seth Dennis was on the entry list but posted to Instagram that he will not be racing.

after a handful of minutes of start practices, it was time for the Scouting Moto Combine riders to take to the track for qualifying. Team Green Kawasaki teammates Enzo Temmerman and Landen Gordon lead the field around the track for the first time. Carson Wood looked to have a bike issue early as he went directly to the mechanics’ row as everyone else went around the first few turns and took a minute or so to get going. His holeshot device was still engaged as he chatted with several members of the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing crew. He did get going before the field came around. By the end of the session, Wood had the fastest lap of the field. Wood’s 2:05.849 topped Gordon’s 2:07.084 and Jesson Turner’s 2:07.804. Of the top ten riders, eight of their fastest lap times came on the second lap, which was the first full lap. (Remember, then-amateur Alexander Fedortsov’s first full lap here last year for the combine was the fastest qualifying lap of either session.) The track was deep but still pretty fast, but the riders were not hitting LaRocco’s Leap. Some amateur practice sessions and races were on the track after the combine group before the Pro Motocross media press day ride and the two combine motos, which will probably make the track have significant changes for these riders come their first moto here this afternoon.

The second session began, and it was Jesson Turner and Enzo Temmerman were last to leave the starting straight. As expected, the times did not improve. Carson Wood still topped the session, this time with a 2:09.785. Kade Johnson was second fastest with a 2:09.837, then Temmerman’s 2:10.408. Landen Gordon (2:10.408) and Deacon Denno (2:10.734) rounded out the top five. Jeremy Fappani had a huge crash when he over scrubbed while hitting the finish line jump late in the session. Fappani was not able to save the scrub, and he slammed down, but he did get up quickly and get going again, which was a good sign. Again, the riders were not hitting LaRocco’s Leap, but we will see if someone uncorks it come the motos later this afternoon. Young rider Carson Wood's time from the first qualifying session stands as the top qualifying time of the day.