Haiden Deegan of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing is currently in full supercross preparation mode. Working with friend, comrade, and training partner Christian Craig, he aspires to win the one championship he has yet to win in his young career: the 250 Monster Energy Supercross Championship. Deegan spoke with the media this week at the SuperMotocross World Championship media days about his off-season preparation, ambitions for 2025, trash talk with his competitors, and more.You’re pretty much the first guy to grow up with social media. How do you deal with social media chirping and turn it off so you can focus on your racing?
Haiden Deegan: Yeah, I’ve had the buzz and the fans since I was very little. So I guess that’s something I’m simply accustomed to at this point. So I’m focussing more on my racing goals, and the noise is distinct from that. I have ambitions; I want to win races and championships, and what others say won’t affect that. I mean, it may motivate me, but I am used to it by now. Growing up, I basically focused on my goals, racing, and media, but let others talk.
Could you please describe Christian’s [Craig’s] position in your program this year?
Yeah, I think the program I was on with Star Training with all the guys was good. It got me up to speed, but I feel like I’m at a stage now where, while I can win, I want to dominate and fine-tune everything in my riding technique, and it was just a matter of finding a person who was prepared to invest the time and focus on that. So, yes, we brought in Christian, and as horrible as it sounds, his injury was actually a good help in really locking in and helping me during preseason. Once he gets back on the bike, we’ll start training together. So he’s been a great assistance. I mean, I’ve improved my training, and I feel a lot better this year than I did last year entering the season. So it is wonderful news.
So you want to dominate? You did it several times last year. Is this ever enough? Do you think it’s enough unless you’re dominating every round?
I did not win the Supercross title. That one hurt because it was my second year finishing second. I didn’t feel great coming into supercross; I had recently been injured and didn’t have any preparation. I’m not sure, but despite not having a preseason, I won my second race. So, this year, I’ve really locked in and trained hard, and I want to come out swinging, like, “Damn,” or, “He really put in the work.” So that is my goal. And when it comes to this sport, nothing is ever enough. You always want more.
Last year, you hadn’t won a supercross big event, but by 2025, everyone expects you to dominate. Maybe even win each race. Is that too much, too soon to reach that point? Maybe we’re expecting too much?
Yeah, I kind of put pressure on myself that if I work hard and win races, people would start to think about it, but honestly, mentally, I work for it and want to go out there and do my best in each race. If that’s winning, it’s winning; if you don’t win, you figure out why and go work more. But I also appreciate the strain. It motivates you to work a little harder.
I feel that your whoops may use some work. So, have you spent a lot of time on these with Christian?
Yes, absolutely; Christian does not tolerate laziness. If there are any days when I slouch on that front, believe me, I’m out there after my moto making 50 whoop passes! [Laughs] Because he will undoubtedly ensure that I hit and pass guys in the whoops this year. So that’s been the major thing: after you’ve mastered the whoops, racing wins become much easier.
What kinds of things have you been working on with Christian?
In general, you simply study the way I ride and the way other people ride and attempt to incorporate little elements from everyone else into your technique, such as where you notice you make minor mistakes. Turns, pushing through jumps, there are numerous options. When you win at this level of Supercross, all you have to do is fine-tune everything. And that’s been the major deal.
Do you utilise rivals for motivation? We can see what you’re saying on the podium. Do you use anything like that to motivate yourself?
Yes, 100%. I mean, I try to contribute to the conversation; you know, saying something to me motivates me. When people say anything to me, I really need it because I’m already motivated, but when you put that in, it turns me into a working machine. So I like it when people punch back.
On that topic, you are very open to trash talk. Nobody else is actually doing what you’re doing. I’m surprised no one has ever returned it. Does this surprise you?
Yeah, it’s difficult. Many people feel as if they have nothing to say since I am constantly hitting them. So, honestly, when people throw small punch lines at me while I’m already defeating them, it’s like, “Why are you doing that?” But I also enjoy it. Like, I did the same thing when I wasn’t beating someone. I throw a small punch at them to see if I can break them down. So, a handful of guys engage in Instagram comments. I am aware that Levi [Kitchen] and I are arguing. I don’t know if Bobby [Regan, Star Yamaha Team Owner] was trying to motivate me, but he says Levi called up my team and asked what coast we are racing so he could race against me. I’m like, “Dude, I’ll text you what coast are racing!” It’s like: let’s get it on! I don’t care. I beat you several times. So I’m down for it. Anytime anyone that wants to race in 250 class, I don’t really care, I’m going to work hard, and my goal is to go win.
Your social following, it’s huge. We know a lot of fans follow you, but I’m sure a lot of celebrities, a lot of influencers also follow you. Have you had a really cool connections that maybe you didn’t know you would have just because your popularity?
Yeah, definitely. You realize there’s a lot of other people with the popularity or some celebrities and stuff that watch the sport that I think that’s a big thing this year. You know, trying to get some of those people to the races, keep expanding the sport and kind of put the spotlight when we have celebrities and famous people at the races. Because you watch UFC and football and stuff, and they highlight when there’s some popular people there. So, since I have the following, I feel like I can bring some people into sport to help grow it
Haiden Deegan: “The main goal right now is to take down that supercross crown. I won the outdoor and SMX crowns, and I feel like there’s just one more thing I need to do.
We’ve seen footage of you cycling; could you tell us about your wrist and how recovery is going?
Yeah, all healed up and ready to go. So, I’ve begun my offseason. I don’t know, I’m not very good with the days because I’ve been locked up, but I started working again around a month and a half ago or so, and it’s going well, much better than it was last year.
If the 2025 supercross season goes as planned and you win everything you expect, how does this affect your future plans and transition to the 450s?
I believe the major goal right now is to win the supercross title. I won the outdoor and SMX categories, and I believe there is only one unchecked item that I require. So, winning the title this year is my ambition. And if I can achieve that, it will speed up the transition to the larger class. But we have to win first.
Is it possible that by this time next year, you will be preparing for A1 on a 450?
No, I believe the goal is to win supercross, defend that title, and then see where we go from there.
California child, you’ve been coming to this race for years; how would it feel to be a part of the A1 opening ceremony?
Absolutely, racing in front of your hometown fans is always exciting. I mean, down at Fox Raceway, I went 1-1, which was awesome. So, if I could come out to Anaheim and race it, that would be fantastic. But, in general, I’ll race when I’m at the pinnacle of my training. So it depends on which coast I choose, and it is also up to the team. Every week, they see how I ride and decide whether or not to send me. But yeah, we will see.
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