News
Jan 11, 2026
Malcolm Stewart was injured in a heavy crash at Anaheim 1 as the 2026 AMA Supercross season opened. Here’s the latest update and what it means going forward. Photo by: Monster Energy AMA Supercross
The Supercross season started with a bang, but not how Malcolm Stewart hoped.
At Anaheim 1, Stewart had a bad crash, ending his race early. People quickly began to worry about his condition and whether he’d be able to race in the beginning of the 2026 season.

For young fans, ages 14-25, this crash showed just how quickly things can change in Supercross, sometimes in just one lap.
The main event got pretty wild, with track conditions getting trickier and more riders battling for space. That's when Stewart crashed hard in a rhythm section after a collision, and it stopped the race for a bit.

To make things worse, Justin Barcia also got caught up in the wreck, which just added to the craziness.
Here's a quick look at what happened:
Crowd: Silence.
Track crew: Rushing in.
Riders: Signaling for help.
Stewart did not rejoin the race.

The team has now verified that Stewart had to drop out of the race because he was hurt in the crash. While we don't have all the medical details yet, it seems his injury needs more checking out, though it's not critical.
Detail | Update |
|---|---|
Event | Anaheim 1 Supercross |
Rider | Malcolm Stewart |
Incident | Heavy crash |
Returned to race | No |
Official diagnosis | Pending |
Status | Under medical evaluation |
Teams in the Supercross often take a very cautious approach early in the season, prioritizing long-term health over rushed returns.
With Stewart and Barcia out of the picture, Eli Tomac kept his cool and used his experience to grab the win at the Anaheim 1 opener.
It was a race of stark contrasts:
One instant can totally change the direction of a championship
Another racer seized the moment
That's Supercross for you intense, quick, and relentless.

Stewart's not just any racer. He's a well-known and respected guy in the pits because of his:
Fast starts
Unique rhythm section skills
Smart racing strategies
An injury early in the season can mess up a lot more than just points. It throws off your groove, hurts your confidence, and ruins any plans you had for the championship.
If Stewart misses races, the early title picture could shift very quickly.
Title Race Just Got More Interesting
With a fewer top riders in the mix, those in the middle of the pack need to push harder now.
Expect teams to switch up their race plans.
Anaheim 1 usually kicks off the season, so losing a talented rider like Stewart so early is a big deal.
Supercross riders put their bodies through a lot every week, more so than racers in other motorsports. Teams usually stick to a plan:
First, a doctor checks them out right away.
Then, they get images and see a specialist.
Next, they plan how long recovery will take.
After that, they slowly get back to riding.
Here's a quick peek into their heads:
Team: “How soon can you ride?”
Rider: “Only when it’s right.”
Barcia was caught up in the Anaheim 1 crash, but it seems he's not as badly hurt. Even so, two riders going down in one crash really shows how little room for error there is at this level.
For the fans, it was a bit of a reality check to kick off what was otherwise a great start to the season.

What younger fans should take away from this:
It shows what the sport is really like.
It shows why rider safety is so important.
It shows why sticking with it is just as important as going very fast.
Supercross is about so much more than just cool jumps; it’s about not giving up.
Anaheim 1 had all the speed, excitement, and surprises we expect from Supercross, but it also reminded everyone how dangerous it is for the riders each week.
Malcolm Stewart's injury is a tough start to the 2026 season. While fans are waiting to hear more, it's obvious that winning a Supercross title takes more than just skill, you have to stay healthy.
The season is here, and it's already serious.