The 2026 Rocky Mountain ATV/MC WORCS Series launched its season at Shorty’s MX Park in Blythe, California, 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, allowing for more competition and battles throughout the course of the weekend.  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.

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. From the opening laps, the pace across the Pro ranks was aggressive, with riders wasting no time testing both the track and each other.

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. 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 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 7:20 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 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.

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, gave 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 compete 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.

When the checkered flags flew at Shorty’s MX Park, the WORCS Shorty’s Breakout GP had delivered everything expected of a season opener, creative riding, late-race passes, and standout performances across the Pro classes. Tyler Lynn’s downhill mastery in Pro 450 and Cole Zeller’s comeback victory in Pro 250 stood as defining moments of the weekend, proving that success at Shorty’s requires more than speed. The next round will be held in 29 Palms on the weekend of February 13th-15th for the Cupids Battle in the Palms.