If the 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship were a novel, Denver was the cliffhanger chapter you couldn’t put down. Set against the thin air of Empower Field at Mile High, the second-to-last round of the season didn’t just shake up the standings, it rattled the emotional nerves of fans, riders, and teams alike. From Chase Sexton’s surgical 450SX victory to Haiden Deegan’s explosive (and controversial) early championship clinch in the 250SX West division, every lap told a story.
Chase Sexton Delivers With Precision and Wins with Authority
Chase Sexton didn’t just win in Denver. He separated himself from the rest of the field with brutal efficiency. Clocking in a best lap time of 49.967 seconds, Sexton rode like a man possessed, carving out a 10-second gap on a track that was punishing to even the smallest mistakes. Denver marked his sixth win of the season, and with it, a leap to within 9 points of championship leader Cooper Webb.
The Start Heard ‘Round the Stadium
The race wasn’t without its fireworks. Webb crossed in front of Sexton aggressively in the opening rhythm section, nearly causing a crash. Sexton admitted he was “seeing red” after the move—but rather than lose composure, he funneled that adrenaline into a clinical performance.
“Yeah, I made an aggressive move, but I kind of have to. I knew I was faster tonight, so I wanted to get out front and break away, and that’s what I did.”
Sexton’s strategy mirrored the hallmark of great racers: aggression matched with consistency. He clicked off mistake-free laps, made decisive passes, and never let up.
Fitness at Altitude
Racing at elevation adds a hidden variable: oxygen. At 5,280 feet, the lower air pressure at Mile High reduces oxygen availability, significantly taxing cardiovascular endurance. A 2015 study in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine showed a VO2 max reduction of nearly 10-12% at that altitude. For a rider like Sexton to dominate physically in those conditions is a testament to his conditioning.
Cooper Webb Guts Out a Gritty Second Place to Retain the Points Lead
Cooper Webb, dealing with illness and exhaustion, managed to hold off a hard-charging pack to finish second. While visibly drained post-race, he kept a cool head during tight battles with Malcolm Stewart and Justin Cooper.
“I was holding on by dear life there at the end.”
Webb’s ability to maintain control while under the weather highlights the mental toughness required at the elite level. Sports psychology research from Frontiers in Psychology emphasizes the role of mental resilience in high-pressure situations. It’s not just muscles and machines—it’s mindset.
Eye on the Finale
With just one round left in Salt Lake City, Webb remains the championship leader. But a narrow 9-point cushion means next Saturday could rewrite everything. Salt Lake historically favors Webb, but Sexton’s momentum is undeniable.
Justin Cooper: From Back of the Pack to the Podium
Justin Cooper started in the wrong gear, a mistake that cost him precious positions. Still, the Yamaha rider fought back with remarkable poise. Navigating a tight, technical track with limited passing zones, Cooper steadily moved up, executing clean passes on Stewart and nearly catching Webb in the final seconds.
Physiological Demands
Cooper mentioned his heart rate was maxed out—unsurprising, given the intensity. Supercross riders frequently exceed 180 bpm during mains, pushing both anaerobic and aerobic systems to the brink. Add Denver’s altitude, and you’re looking at a race that favors metabolic efficiency and a high lactate threshold.
“With all the lappers, my heart rate was really high already, so with all that going on it just escalated it that much more.”
Haiden Deegan Clinches His First 250SX Championship
Let’s cut to the chase: Haiden Deegan wanted the win, and he took it.
With two laps to go, Deegan made an aggressive move on teammate Cole Davies, sending him over the berm and sealing not just the race but the championship. His post-race comments stirred up even more controversy:
“They’re just mad that I’m him and they’ve got to deal with it… if you don’t like it you can suck it!”
That comment, followed by a quick apology on his Instagram story the following Tuesday, added another layer to a race already bursting with drama.
The Ethics of the Pass
Both Ricky Carmichael and Ryan Villopoto weighed in. Their shared sentiment? The move was within the bounds of racing, but doing it to a teammate is unfortunate.
“Does it suck that he is his teammate? Of course it does. Do I feel bummed for Cole? Absolutely.” – Carmichael
From a sportsmanship angle, it’s murky. But Deegan played the long game. A mistake or injury next week would’ve left the title vulnerable. Clinching it now was strategic, albeit divisive.
My Take: Rubbing Is Racing
Look—I’ve passed people harder than that for a plastic trophy and a stale Del Taco burrito my dad would reheat on the hood of our truck. This is a more than half-million-dollar championship. Deegan saw an opening and took it. That’s what racers do. Too many new fans whining about fairness have never twisted a throttle in their lives. I love that our sport is growing, but if you think that was dirty, you wouldn’t have lasted a single race in the late ’90s.
Was it aggressive? Of course. Was it intentional to take Davies out? I don’t think so. Haiden had the line, period. Cole needed better situational awareness. He could’ve protected the inside or countered underneath. He didn’t do either. That’s racing, and it was Haiden’s job to seize that moment.
This isn’t a team sport like basketball. where you pass the ball and hope for an assist. These guys ride for themselves, and the only name that matters at the top of the leaderboard is their own. A teammate is just someone under the same tent. You still want to beat them. These are the fittest athletes on earth and have dedicated their entires lives to become champions at the highest stage.
I’ve got massive respect for Cole. He’s probably going to get Rookie of the Year. But the pass was clean enough. The outcome was harsh, but that’s racing. Haiden capitalized, and now he’s a champion. That’s how it works.
High-Altitude Decision Making
Just like with the 450SX class, altitude was a factor. Deegan admitted to feeling the fatigue and made the pass when he saw an opening. Racing at elevation not only affects physical output but also mental sharpness. Studies show hypoxia impairs reaction time and decision-making—yet Deegan, under pressure, saw the opportunity and committed.
A Title Earned
Despite the drama, let’s not forget: Deegan entered Denver with a 17-point lead for a reason. He’s been fast, consistent, and tactical all season. The 250SX West title now has his name on it, and his second-place finishes ensure he holds the tiebreaker even if disaster strikes in Salt Lake.
Cole Davies: 17-Year-Old Rookie Composed in Defeat
One of the most striking moments from the Denver round didn’t come from a pass or podium celebration—it came in the quiet aftermath. Cole Davies, just 17 years old, had a real shot at forcing the 250SX West title fight into the final round.
He came out swinging with a perfect holeshot and held the lead with confidence early on.
After getting caught behind lappers and ultimately being bumped off the berm by teammate Haiden Deegan, he dropped back to fifth—a brutal result in a championship-deciding moment. But what stood out was his composure. Watching Cole’s emotion post-race, you could see how much he expected from himself. He wanted that title chase, and the heartbreak was real. But to see him pick himself up, give a professional interview, and own his position showed a level of maturity that most veterans would struggle to match.
“I shouldn’t have put myself in that position, to be honest.”
Davies’ maturity is telling. No public jabs. No excuses. Just quiet resolve and a promise to come back stronger. That’s a mindset built for the long haul, and one that will undoubtedly serve him well as his already impressive career continues to evolve.
Final Thoughts Before the Showdown in Salt Lake
The 2025 Supercross season has been one of grit, redemption, and volatility. Denver gave us:
A title chase narrowed to 9 points in the 450SX class
A rookie champion crowned with controversial flair
Three different brands (KTM, Yamaha, Husqvarna) represented in the top five
A lesson in sports psychology, physiology, and high-altitude performance
As the series heads to Salt Lake City, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With one round left, the narratives are still being written.
And whether you loved Deegan’s fire or sided with Davies’ grace, one thing is clear: Supercross is alive and breathing. Loudly.
