The 5.11 Triumph Factory Racing team collected solid points at the first playoff of the SMX World Championship. Torrential rainfall around Columbus' Historic Crew Stadium turned the hybrid circuit into a true test of both man and machine.

An abbreviated race day schedule launched the 450SMX riders into moto one without practice, but Jordon Smith adapted well to run inside of the top 10 early on aboard his TF 450-X. Eventually caught out by the muddy conditions, he crossed the finish line 12th and positioned himself to climb up the championship table. Stalling his machine on the first lap of moto two meant that he had to push forward, which he did effectively. Running as high as eighth at the halfway point, he was eventually ranked 11th to finish ninth overall.

Making his indoor debut, Mikkel Haarup's adjustment to those tight confines of a stadium was made trickier by the inclement weather. Multiple crashes restricted him to 22nd in moto one, but he made drastic strides forward in the second stint. Moving forward after a tricky start, he was tenth before a couple of mistakes put him 15th at the chequered flag. A 22-15 scorecard left him 21st overall at the first playoff.

Competing in SMX Next's one-moto format, Darren Pine recovered from a first-turn issue to finish 17th. The muddy conditions meant that progress was difficult, but he'll have an opportunity to rebound in SMX Next's finale next weekend.

Attention now shifts over to the United States' West Coast, where the second playoff in the SMX World Championship will be held in Carson, California, on 19 September. With double points on offer, the next event will start to shape the outcome of the three-round championship.

Jordon Smith:

"It was a very challenging day. The conditions were so difficult. I was pretty pumped with how I rode in the races. I made some mistakes in the first moto, but the pace was solid and we made some improvements for moto two. I stalled it on lap one of the second moto and came back to eighth before another tip over. I was ninth overall. I'm happy with that, even though the first one does not count for as much. I'll take the confidence forward."

Mikkel Haarup:

"It was quite a crazy day. We went right into the motos and it was very muddy, so it was quite the experience. I was a bit too timid in moto one, but my mindset was to stay safe and learn. I had a very good start in the first moto, which was great, and I took some lessons into the second moto. I was inside of the top ten in that one, but some mistakes cost me. It was a great first weekend of SMX."

Ivan Tedesco – Team Manager, 5.11 Triumph Factory Racing:

"Today's race went well considering the tough conditions. Jordon had a consistent day and ended up ninth overall. I'm looking forward to the next two rounds for him – he has been progressing every week and I think he can do really well on a dry track. Mikkel doesn't have any supercross experience, so we didn't have any expectations for him but in the second moto he passed his way up to eighth. A small mistake cost him some spots and he ended up 15th. I'm really proud of the team for working through the tough conditions here in Columbus."

450SMX Results: 2026 Playoff 1 – Columbus

1. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) 1-1

2. Ken Roczen (Suzuki) 2-2

3. Jorge Prado (KTM) 3-4

4. Cooper Webb (Yamaha) 9-3

5. Joey Savatgy (Honda) 8-5

9. Jordon Smith (Triumph) 12-11

21. Mikkel Haarup (Triumph) 22-15

450SMX Standings: 2026 Round 1 – Columbus

1. Jorge Prado (KTM) 42pts

2. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) 40pts

3. Cooper Webb (Yamaha) 38pts

4. Ken Roczen (Suzuki) 34pts

5. Dylan Ferrandis (Ducati) 33pts

10. Jordon Smith (Triumph) 21pts

22. Mikkel Haarup (Triumph) 7pts

SMX Next Results: 2026 Playoff 1 – Columbus

1. Kade Johnson (Kawasaki)

2. Wyatt Thurman (KTM)

3. Vincent Wey (Kawasaki)

4. Landon Gibson (Husqvarna)

5. Mckayden Fitch (Yamaha)

17. Darren Pine (Triumph)