First Timer

If you’re planning on giving someone an award for most improved during the off-season, Julien Beaumer has got to be at the top of the list. The Red Bull KTM rider’s best 250SX finish last season was a sixth, but so far this season his worst finish is second, and in San Diego he took the first win of his pro career. That’s incredible! The win also handed him the points lead (he currently enjoys a five-point advantage over Jordon Smith). If Beamuer is able to string together a few more wins in the coming weeks, catching him in the points is going to be a mission to execute. -Hansel

Damage Control

The first two races haven’t gone Haiden Deegan’s way. His riding has been good, he’s just been forced to deal with adversity early on. He was fifth after a first-lap crash in Anaheim, and he was third in San Diego after a bad start. With Beaumer and Smith riding so well, it’s imperative for Deegan to pick up a win, and soon, before he finds himself too far back in the points to challenge for a championship. -Hansel 

Sweet Az

New Zealander Cole Davies fantastic performance on Saturday night no doubt prompted plenty of his countrymen to say, ‘Sweet Az,’ a common, complimentary Kiwi phrase. And rightfully so! The rookie was amazing in just his second pro supercross. He won his heat race, holeshot the main event, and led multiple laps under immense pressure from Beaumer. Davies eventually made a mistake and coughed up a few spots, but he was able to regroup and zap DiFrancesco for fourth in the final turn. If he’s this good this early, how much better is he going to get in the next few races? -Hansel

Shuffle The Deck

With two different winners and six different podium finishers in the first two rounds, it is anybody’s guess who will top the podium this weekend. Will Chase or Eli come back with another win, or will we be graced with three different winners in the first three rounds, similar to 2024 when four different riders won the first four rounds? The field is certainly deep enough to see the same this year. - Sarah Whitmore

Under The Weather

It all started when Levi Kitchen switched regions at the last minute due to being extremely ill at A1. Then last weekend in San Diego Jason Anderson, Hunter Lawrence and Cooper Webb were all sick as well. You can expect those three to rebound this weekend, and hopefully have a little more in the tank at the end of the race. The problem is, the way these things go, there is no telling who is going to catch it next. -Whitmore

Undecided

After coming into San Diego with the red plate, disaster struck for Jo Shimoda when he broke two fingers when he came into contact with a pit board. He managed to suffer through the main event and placed an impressive seventh. However, Jo is still not sure if he will be able to ride at A2, the plan is to ride qualifying and decide from there. If Jo can hold on for two more weekends (A2 and Glendale) he will then have a two-week break when the series heads east. -Whitmore

New Guy

It was a bad day for fingers in San Diego as Ty Masterpool also broke some fingers when he went down in the main event. Ty was filling in for Levi Kitchen who switched to the east region at the last minute due to illness. Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki announced that Garrett Marchbanks is also hurt and will not be lining up for A2. This means young talent Drew Adams will be making his pro supercross debut this weekend as the team's sole rider. We saw his skills last year in SX Futures. How will he fair his first time out in 250SX? -Whitmore