Steve Matthes Believes Haiden Deegan can Become the greatest 250sx and 250mx ahead of Ryan villopoto if he doesn’t Move to 450 early
Veteran motocross journalist and former mechanic Steve Matthes has never been one to shy away from bold takes, but his latest praise for Haiden Deegan might be his strongest yet. Speaking on his PulpMX Show, Matthes made a compelling argument that Deegan is not just a future star—but possibly the best 250SX rider in history.
A Generational Talent?
Matthes, who has covered the sport for decades, compared Deegan to past 250SX greats like James Stewart, Ricky Carmichael, and Ryan Villopoto, but insisted that Deegan’s combination of raw speed, race craft, and mental toughness puts him in a class of his own.
“I’ve been around this sport for a long time,” Matthes said. “I’ve seen some of the best come through this class—Stew, RV, Roczen—you name it. But I don’t think we’ve ever seen someone quite like Haiden. He’s got the full package at such a young age.”
The Perfect Storm of Talent and Hype
Deegan, currently racing for Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha, has been one of the most marketable and talked-about riders in recent history. He’s backed by a massive fan base, thanks to his father, freestyle legend Brian Deegan, and his success on the track has only fueled the hype.
Matthes pointed out that what makes Haiden stand out isn’t just his raw speed, but also his ability to adapt, race smart, and thrive under pressure—something even legends like Stewart struggled with in their early careers.
“Stewart was the fastest guy ever, but he had crashes. Villopoto was a machine, but he had injuries. Deegan? The kid is ice cold, he doesn’t crack under pressure, and he just keeps getting better,” Matthes explained.
Can Deegan Live Up to the Title?
While Matthes’ claim is bold, many in the motocross community recognize that Haiden Deegan is a special talent. With already-impressive wins and podiums in Supercross and Motocross, the question now is whether he can keep improving and win multiple 250SX titles before making the inevitable jump to 450SX.
If Deegan continues on this trajectory, Matthes’ take might not be that far-fetched. The 250SX class has seen some of the biggest names in motocross history, but with each race, Haiden Deegan is making his case to be the best of them all.
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