MXLink take-outs on covering Cole Davies racing AMA 250SX East and Pro 250MX Championship in 2026. From the initial decision to produce content on #37’s first full 250SX and 250MX season in January 2026, there was never any doubt that the 19 year old from Waitoki, NZ would rise to all challenges presented, win, and prove that Cole held a unique talent to dominate racing against America’s best SX and MX rider’s.
Cole Davies speaks on racing AMA 250SX East Championship Opening Round at Arlington. Film: MXLink
For starter’s, Cole had already achieved victory in 250SX Futures in 2024 before making the call to race Pro 250SX West and 250MX in 2025. Whether it was a surprise for those watching but not for #37, Cole took P3 at Anaheim 2 followed by P3 at Glendale a week later. Most certainly, P1 at Round 7 in Seatle then tap again – P1 at Philadelphia the next weekend sure did send a clear message that Davies was a force to be reckoned with – nem mind racing straight from SX Futures in ‘024.
Recovering from injury marred 250MX season in ‘025 – which only meant the burn hit deeper for Davies and he was ready to strike come the Opening Round of AMA 250SX East Championship at Arlington earlier this year. The results are startling: P2 at Daytona, P1 at Indianapolis, Birmingham, and Detroit, P2 at St Louis, P1 at Nashville, P3 at Cleveland, P1 at Philadelphia, and P1 at Salt Lake City to take the overall 250SX Championship in 2026 with a Round to spare.
Cole Davies wins AMA 250SX East Championship at Philadelphia. Film: MXLink.
If pundits questioned whether Davies had what it takes to race up front in Pro 250MX Championship – 11 Round Series – they were firmly put in their place. For sure, 30 minutes plus 2 laps had to be managed, so to was dealing with the heat, learning new tracks, and nailing starts and bike set-up from the Opening Round at Fox Raceway to the Final Round at Ironman last weekend. Results sure do the talking with Cole taking 4 overall wins, a second and 2x 3rd overalls, to claim his first Pro 250MX Championship Title in 2026.
Taking into consideration that in the past 11 years covering NZ rider’s racing on the World Stage in Europe, America, and Australia, there has only been 2 other rider’s that I was certain would achieve winning results. The first rider was Josiah Natzke who gained a ride with KTM Junior Factory MX Team under the mentorship of Stefan Everts in 2015. Natzke had completed racing NZ MX Nationals – double classing in MX2 and 125cc under the guidance of Ben Townley before leaving to race EMX 125 category. MXLink covered the journey from the Opening Round in Trentino in April to the Final Round in Assen in August.
Josiah Natzke taking double moto wins in EMX 125cc Round 5 in France in 2015. Film: MXGP
For certain, Round 5 of 8 was the pinnacle of results with Natzke taking double moto wins in France, closing the points gap to team-rider – Jorge Prado. Heading into the Final Round in the Netherlands there was only 1 point difference with Prado on 271 and Natzke on 270. MXLink travelled to cover the much anticipated final 2 motos, with Josiah succumbing to the soft sand track and Jorge taking the overall win of the Championship.
The second rider who held firm on her conviction to race and beat the top women in WMX was Courtney Duncan. Having covered CD racing FIM Junior MX World Championship 85cc in Taupo, NZ in 2009, to sharing her massive win at Hangtown racing WMX Triple Crown on her 125cc in 2013 – the ultimate decider on how she would stack up against WMX in Europe – was when she won Woodville Grand Prix MX2 class in 2016. Straight up, Duncan beat Josiah Natzke who had just completed EMX 125 season, which meant she had the speed to match her European rivals.
Courtney Duncan winning Woodville Grand Prix in MX in 2016. Film: MXLink.
The WMX Opening Round in 2016 was in Qatar. Courtney went 1 -1 and flawed all watching including Media. I remember the Press Conference well, as Media were left lost for words on how a kiwi could rock up and claim the overall victory having never raced in Europe’s WMX World Championship before.
For Cole, racing America’s Pro SX and MX Championships along with the up-coming SMX World Championship Playoffs is his for the taking. Pretty sure, all eyes will be watching too.
Header photo: Cole Davies winning Pro 250MX Championship at Ironman Raceway. Photo courtesy Davey Coombs, RacerX.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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