Chance Hymas had a huge turnaround in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, picking up moto wins, overall podiums, and his first overall win in what was a breakout ride. The Honda HRC Progressive rider was so ready to go race the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations for the first time, and after Haiden Deegan and Levi Kitchen were both out of contention for the MX2 ride for Team USA, an excited Hymas got the nod. Then, he tweaked his already partially torn ACL at the first SuperMotocross World Championship Playoff round in North Carolina. Initially, Hymas and Honda figured he could skip the final two playoff rounds, and the time off would still allow the antsy Idaho native to race MXoN the second week in October. However, the team realized the damage was done and Hymas would need surgery, knocking him out of the running for the MX2 spot. Today, the AMA has announced Cooper Webb will replace Hymas as the MX2 rider.
One thing to note in Honda’s press release is that Hymas is aiming to race the 250SX East Region Championship of the 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship. Hymas' knee injury came in his left leg, the same leg he tore his ACL is last year only a few rounds into Pro Motocross.
Jason Weigandt covers the switch from Hymas to Webb.
The following press release is from Honda:
Chance Hymas to Undergo Knee Surgery
- Procedure will force Hymas to miss the Motocross of Nations
- Goal is to return to racing in time for the ’25 AMA 250SX East series
TORRANCE, Calif. – Team Honda HRC Progressive announced today that Chance Hymas will undergo surgery on his left knee on September 24 in Nashville, Tennessee. As a result, the Idaho native will be forced to sit out the Motocross of Nations.
The procedure comes a little over a year after Hymas last underwent an operation on the same joint. The Idaho native then reinjured his ACL during training just before the 2024 season got underway, but he has been able to perform at a high level for much of this year. During the AMA Pro Motocross series, Hymas scored the first overall victory of his professional career and tallied a total of four podium overall results and an additional four top-five overall finishes.
Unfortunately, Hymas aggravated the injury during the opening SuperMotocross round in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 7. With the goal of retaining his spot on Team USA for the October 6 Motocross of Nations at Matterley Basin in England, he pulled out of the remainder of the SMX series, but after further consultation, Hymas and his team have decided it is more prudent to have the injury repaired as soon as possible. Even though there was high confidence that, after two weeks off, he would be able to perform at a high level, the possibility of reaggravating the injury and adversely affecting Team USA’s result was also a consideration. Luckily, Star Yamaha and Cooper Webb have stepped up and volunteered to take Chance’s spot for the event, with Webb dropping down to a 250 from his usual 450. Meanwhile, Hymas will focus on returning to action in time for the 2025 AMA Supercross 250 East series.
“I’m absolutely gutted,” Hymas said. “I have waited for the opportunity to represent my country at MXoN since I was a kid. I was proud and excited to wear the Red, White and Blue. I was doing everything in my power to be ready for MXoN, but I’ve been battling issues with my knee this entire season. The team and myself decided the stakes are too high to take chances at the MXoN, and I need to get my knee fixed for the future. My sole focus now is getting back to top form and being prepared to compete for championships in 2025. I want to say thank you to Cooper for stepping up and taking my place. I’ll be rooting for him and Team USA from back home. THANK YOU!”
“We’re really, really gutted for Chance, as he has gone through more than his fair share of bad luck in the past year and a half,” said Lars Lindstrom, Manager of the Honda HRC Progressive team. “We know how important this event was to him and the team. Chance has proven that he has the speed to be competitive, and I know that when he’s at full health, he’ll be tough to beat. Although we were excited to support him at the Motocross of Nations, we’re grateful to Star Yamaha and Cooper Webb for stepping up for Team USA. We wish them well. We’re pulling for Chance to have a smooth operation, a productive recovery, and a successful 2025.”
