But getting there required more than recovering from a serious injury.
asserted
getting → get → injury
He had to learn to trust himself again.
asserted
He → have → himself
The 25-year-old Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider captured the 2026 Monster Energy SMX 250 Class World Championship in September 2026, securing his first professional title and ending a seven-year championship drought for his team.
asserted
rider → capture → team
It was a career-defining moment for Kitchen, who had spent years coming close to winning a championship while battling injuries and setbacks along the way.
asserted
who → define → way
"It was unreal," Kitchen told OutKick OutDoors in an exclusive interview.
asserted
Kitchen → tell → interview
"I've had some heartbreaks, obviously been close, but it felt really good."
asserted
it → have → heartbreaks
"It was pretty emotional for me just because it had taken a while to win anything of that caliber," he added.
asserted
he → take → caliber
The long road back from Daytona
In March 2025, Kitchen suffered a violent crash during the Daytona Supercross that left him with a broken collarbone and fractures in his upper back.
asserted
that → suffer → back
The injuries sidelined him for the remainder of the Supercross season.
asserted
injuries → sideline → season
And while he eventually healed enough to return to racing, Kitchen said the mental recovery was a different battle entirely.
asserted
recovery → heal → racing
"Oh yeah, big time," he said when asked whether it was difficult to regain his confidence after the crash.
asserted
it → say → crash
"If I look back at that season, even when I came back on the bike, in 2025, I was maybe a top-five guy outdoors.
asserted
I → look → 2025
That progression didn't happen overnight.
asserted
progression → happen → ?
"Slowly but surely, I've made really good progress, and I have all my confidence back," Kitchen said.
asserted
Kitchen → make → confidence
"It just goes to show, I think fans, or just anybody, don't realize how much injuries can really affect everything."
asserted
injuries → go → everything
"It can be a real pain in the butt to build yourself back up."
For fans watching from the sidelines, a rider's return to competition might signal that the recovery process is complete.
uncertain
process → build → competition
But as Kitchen explained, getting back on the bike doesn't necessarily mean getting back to the same level of confidence and performance.
asserted
getting → explain → confidence
It took time, patience and a different approach to racing.
asserted
It → take → racing
Learning when to back off
Looking back on everything he's experienced, Kitchen believes one of his biggest improvements has come from learning to trust his abilities while also recognizing his limits.
asserted
one → learn → limits
"The biggest thing I would say is just finally the belief," he said.
asserted
he → say → ?
And I think on any given day, if I show up with the belief that I can get something done, normally I can get it done.
asserted
it → think → belief
Kitchen also had to develop a little more restraint — something that doesn't always come naturally in a sport where riders are constantly pushing the limits of speed and control.
asserted
riders → have → speed
"Just maturity of racing," he explained.
asserted
he → explain → racing
"Now, if I don't really have it on a day, I try to be as smart as I can.
asserted
I → have → day
Where before, I would probably still try and then end up on the ground or something.
asserted
I → try → ground
It's a lesson learned the hard way, but one Kitchen believes will serve him well beyond a single championship season.
asserted
Kitchen → learn → season
"I want to race for a lot more years to come and can't be too stupid," he said.
asserted
he → want → years
That shift in mentality paid off in September when Kitchen secured the 250SMX World Championship at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Ridgedale, Mo.
And the victory meant something special beyond his own accomplishments.
asserted
victory → pay → accomplishments
Kitchen's title ended a seven-year championship drought for Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki, one of the most decorated organizations in 250-class racing.
asserted
title → end → racing
"Mitch has done so much for me," Kitchen said, referring to team owner Mitch Payton.
asserted
Kitchen → do → Payton
"Me and Mitch have gotten close over the years, and he's been a great boss and friend of mine now.
asserted
he → get → mine
One championship down, but plenty more to chase
Despite finally capturing that elusive first title, Kitchen insists he isn't suddenly feeling satisfied.
asserted
he → chase → title
In fact, winning the championship has only strengthened his belief in what he's capable of accomplishing.
asserted
he → win → what
"It didn't really take any pressure off," he said.
asserted
he → take → pressure
"The only thing it did was help me with the belief side of things.
asserted
it → do → things
Kitchen has his sights set on both a Supercross and a Pro Motocross championship in 2027, and he plans to remain in the 250 class for at least another season.
asserted
he → have → season
"The Supercross Championship has been a major goal of mine, so that's my first goal," he said.
asserted
he → say → mine
And while the first championship was certainly worth celebrating, Kitchen knows there's no guarantee the next one will come any easier.
asserted
one → celebrate → ?
"I don't think you'll ever be satisfied, really, which is a tough thing
asserted
which → think → ?
," he said.
asserted
he → say → ?
…and 4 more, not listed.
The Aporia
