2026 WORCS Round 1 Results

| January 26, 2026

The Rocky Mountain ATV/MC WORCS Series launched its 2026 season at Shorty’s Sports MX Park in Blythe, California, January 24-25, with the WORCS Shorty’s Breakout Grand Prix, delivering a fast, demanding, and unpredictable opening round. With the return of the Regional AMA Championship, the numbers increased for this year’s race. The course featured a high-speed motocross layout that flowed across hardpack before plunging through a canyon into deep, rutted sand, creating multiple viable lines and rewarding riders who could adapt as conditions evolved.

Tyler Lynn at 2026 WORCS Round 1 — **Tyler Lynn had room to spare at the finish line, winning the 2026 WORCS opener in Blythe, California.**

Story & Photos by Connor Moore

Sunday’s two-hour Pro race introduced a true game-changer: a raw downhill Pro section that forced riders to choose their own way down the hillside. The steep descent punished hesitation and rewarded commitment, quickly becoming the most influential section of the track and a defining factor in multiple Pro classes.

In the Pro 450 class, early laps were led by Mason Semmens and Dare DeMartile, with Semmens showing confidence in his first race in the 450 division after capturing the Pro 250 Championship last year. Tyler Lynn, aboard his SLR Honda machine, settled into third early, remaining patient as the leaders set the pace. The turning point came when Lynn attacked the downhill Pro section with a creative approach. While much of the field dropped into the ravine, Lynn chose a bold alternative line, jumping down the hillside and carrying significantly more speed on the exit. In a single lap, he surged from third to first, immediately putting distance between himself and the rest of the field. Once out front, Lynn never relinquished control. He consistently gained time through the downhill and deep sand, laying down some of the fastest laps of the race in the seven minutes and 20 seconds range as the course continued to break down. Semmens eventually adapted, finding the same downhill line and responding with pressure, even clocking a standout lap in the 7:18 range while pushing to close the gap. Despite the charge, Lynn remained composed, managing traffic and conditions to secure a decisive win.

Behind them, Justin Hoeft delivered one of the most consistent rides of the day. By minimizing mistakes and maintaining steady lap times, Hoeft capitalized on errors from DeMartile to move forward and lock in a strong result.

While the Pro 450 race was defined by execution and line choice, the Pro 250 class delivered late-race drama and resilience. Early in the race, Sam Pretscherer set the tone with a blistering pace, posting one of the fastest laps of the class at 7:26.588 and establishing himself at the front. Cole Zeller stayed locked in the fight until an early-race incident between the two sent Zeller to the ground, forcing him to remount deep in the field. Zeller methodically worked his way back through traffic, refusing to panic and maintaining a competitive pace as conditions worsened. He consistently posted laps in the 7:27-7:30 range, navigating the deep sand and canyon sections with precision and patience.

Cole Zeller at 2026 WORCS Round 1 — **Cole Zeller won the Pro 250 and the new Open Pro classes.**

As the race approached its final stages, Zeller had clawed his way back to Pretscherer’s rear wheel. The decisive moment came just before the final lap, when Zeller capitalized on an opening and reclaimed the lead. Under intense pressure through the closing miles, he stayed mistake-free and controlled the pace to take the win, completing a remarkable comeback after the early setback. Pretscherer crossed the line in second after an aggressive and fast performance, while Colton Aeck rounded out the Pro 250 podium with a steady ride that kept him in contention throughout the race.

The Open Pro class, new for the 2026 season, gives riders an additional opportunity to compete for a win while gaining valuable extra seat time over the weekend. The format proved effective, with Cole Zeller taking home the victory. All three riders who filled the podium also competed in the Pro 250 class, with Harlem Nelson and Jordan Maas joining Zeller on the box.

In the Women’s Pro class, the opening round delivered strong, competitive racing on the same challenging layout. Shelby Turner set the early benchmark with a class-fast 8:45.015 lap, while the remainder of the field focused on consistency and smart line choices as ruts deepened and fatigue set in. The class showcased resilience and racecraft, setting a solid foundation for the season ahead.

Shelby Turner at 2026 WORCS Round 1 — **Triumph’s Shelby Turner won the Women’s Pro class.**

In the Women’s Pro class, Triumph’s Shelby Turner got around Lauren Woods (GasGas) for the lead at the halfway point of the race and went on to win by more than two minutes over Woods. Maddy Weber (KTM) finished third but was later DQ’d, giving the position to Dana Raynor (Husqvarna).

The next round will be held in Twentynine Palms, California, on the February 13-15 weekend for the Cupid’s Battle in the Palms.