"I want to break records. I want to be in the history books": Meet moto's next big thing

On race day morning at SMX Playoff 2 of the 2026 Monster Energy SuperMotocross World Championship at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha mechanic Lache Mills worked away at getting the No. 37 YZ250F prepped for the first practice session.

“I was working with him for a bit at GasGas in California,” explained Mills when asked how long he’d been working with Cole Davies, the 2026 AMA 250SX East Championship and AMA 250 Pro Motocross Championship winner and, arguably, best young racer in the world.

“The whole time he has been with Star, I’ve been with him. As far as being the best young rider I the world right now? You’d like to think so. He’s got the European and the American side of it. I’d like to think he is one of the best in the world. He believes in himself. He’s always been a good rider. I’ve known him since he was on KTM 50s. I think he is just real precise in everything he does. He’s almost OCD, in a way. He’s real hard on himself, as well. He wants to be perfect. If he makes any mistake anywhere, he beats himself up about it, as well.”

Watching on as Mills attended to the 250F race bike, Davies, a winner of eight 250cc East and four 250MX races in 2026, weighed in on his second race season in the United States of America.

“Yeah, I mean I feel great,” said the New Zealander. “I’ve accomplished a lot this year. Obviously, to get two championships back-to-back in my second season as a pro is definitely a cool accomplishment. I only just turned 19 years old. It’s a cool accomplishment for me.

"I worked so hard to get where I’m at today. I’m proud of myself and proud of the team around me to achieve this. It’s just all the hard work me and my team put in. From the suspension guys to the engine guys to my mechanic Lache, the team puts in such hard work to get me to where I am. Everything paying off is cool, but it’s just all the hard work we’re putting in.

“This is where my expectations were. This is what I kind of thrive for. When I train at the practice track, the plan is to go out there and win. Every time I train for something, I have my goals and I try to tick off them goals. We set our goals and we chase them. We work hard to chase what we want and to make it happen. People can kind of say, 'I want to do this' or 'I want to do that', but it’s a whole different thing when you have to go out there and make it happen. It definitely takes a lot, but I feel like winners win.”

Davies lined up at the opening SMX Playoff 1 at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio and motored to mixed 22-1 moto scores for 10th overall in the 250SMX classification.

“I was definitely riding good,” said Davies of his performance in the Midwest. “I was leading the first moto and then unfortunately I had my bike break with two or three laps to go. Got something stuck in the rear wheel and it locked up.

"But I was riding good until then. We regrouped for the second race, and I had outside gate pick. I was able to get a good start, and make it happen and won the second one. My riding was good, but it was frustrating weekend, having that happen to me.”

Along the way, Davies has found a happy home with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star racing outfit.

“It has been great,” he said. “I love this team. I love the people. Everyone is super helpful. It’s just a great place to be. I enjoy it here. Yeah, I can call it a family. And being in Florida with the team, it’s definitely a little bit like home for me than California. It’s hard being away from my family and friends, but this is the dream I work for and I strive for. I’ve dreamed this since I was a little kid. So yeah, it’s all worth it. I’m looking to keep it going.”

Davies has explained in recent moto media that he is constantly trying to develop and evolve the mental and technique foundations of his racing and racecraft.

“Mentality is definitely a big thing,” he said. “Keeping your mental game right is definitely important. With technique, I feel like I’ve got really good technique. It is something I’m continuously working on. It’s going good.”

Has Davies allowed himself to begin thinking about 2027 as of yet?

“I’m thinking about next year,” he said. “I’m excited for it. Hopefully, I can have another step up and do what I do best next year. I’m feeling good. I’m feeling confident. Just ready to keep it going.”

Has he contemplated racing the 450 in the near future?

“Yeah, I definitely feel good about the 450,” he said. “I feel like my riding style fits a 450 pretty well. I’m excited for it. I think 2028 is coming up quick, too. I’ll be as ready as I can. When that time comes, I’ll be ready. I’m excited about it.”

Davis has plenty he wants to achieve in his American moto journey.

“Win as much as I can,” he said. “Obviously, break some records and be in the history books and then after that, maybe one day be a trainer or something. I quite like training and pushing people. I think one day that  would be a pretty cool thing to be. I want to break records. I want to be in the history books. Yeah, just ticking off my goals and striving for what I do best. I’m ready to keep it coming.”