Young Australian Jett Lawrence is thrilled to report a perfect podium streak for 2021, competing in the motocross nationals in the United States.
For the fourth time in the four AMA Pro Motocross races held thus far this season, the Team Honda HRC rider posted a podium overall finish in the 250MX class, this time during Saturday’s round at the iconic RedBud National in Buchanan, Michigan.
Lawrence rode his CRF250R to the victory in moto one and overcame moto two crashes to tally third overall on the day, retaining the red plate that signifies leadership in the title chase.
His brother and team-mate Hunter Lawrence was fourth overall in the same class, while 450MX team-mates Ken Roczen and Chase Sexton were fourth and sixth overall, respectively.
In the 250MX class, the first moto at the Michigan venue saw both Jett and Hunter start well and finish strong, in first and third, respectively. In moto 2, the brothers both suffered poor starts and completed lap 1 outside of the top 10. Jett made a mistake and crashed on the second lap, placing him outside of the top 30, but both he and Hunter made their way through the pack to finish fourth and sixth, respectively, earning Jett third overall and Hunter fourth.
NOTES:
- This weekend marked the return of the annual RedBud National to its traditional Independence Day Weekend date, after it was pushed back last year due to COVID-19. The event enjoyed perfect weather and a large crowd, as it also returned to full spectator capacity. This season has also seen the return of podium celebrations.
- Although pit access has remained closed to most of the public, the ongoing process of removing fan restrictions reached its newest phase at RedBud, where VIP ticket holders had exclusive access to the paddock from 9am to 12pm. Access to the riders and their respective team pit areas was not permitted. Rider autograph sessions remain suspended, but access to rider posters was offered, at the sole discretion of each team.
- Team Honda HRC sponsor Throttle Jockey–located nearby in Kokomo, Indiana – designed custom Fourth of July graphics with American flags for all four CRF race machines. This weekend also marked 20 years since the team started using their Woody Woodpecker graphics and sponsorship with Universal Studios. Renthal also designed a custom American flag bar pad for Ken Roczen’s CRF450R.
- On race day, Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton participated in interviews and video footage for an upcoming Monster Energy project, highlighting his life at home and at the races. His mechanic, Jade Dungey, was also interviewed, and his race-day activities tuning Sexton’s CRF450R were recorded.
- Jett Lawrence posted another competition alert via social media, promising to sign his moto-two jersey and personally hand it to the fan who displayed the best poster at the race, which he did at the podium after his celebration. Before his first moto, the young Australian also had a large crowd attend a brief autograph signing at his donut display in the Red Bull tent.
- Sexton was third-fastest in qualifying for the 450MX class, posting a 2’05.062” in the second session, while Roczen had the fifth-best lap time at 2’05.580”.
- In the 450MX title chase, Roczen remains second – 14 points behind Frenchman Dylan Ferrandis – while Sexton sits fourth. Roczen was docked two crucial points in the final moto for accidentally jumping during a red-cross flag. Jett Lawrence has an eight-point lead over Justin Cooper (Yamaha) in the 250MX class, and he retains the red plate, while Hunter Lawrence remains third.
Jett Lawrence was naturally pleased with his weekend in Michigan.
“The bike setting in the first moto wasn’t good,” he said.
“I had RJ [Hampshire] charging, and if he got me, I didn’t really have any ammo to fight back. Between motos, my team did a great job making some adjustments that made the bike work better for me, but I just didn’t give myself a very good chance for winning or even getting myself into a good position.
“I came from 37th to sixth, so I think that’s pretty good. I definitely made a lot of passes, maybe the most passes of the day. I think if you look at the result it sucks because I lost three points, but you have to look at the positives; it was a strong ride, and I felt like there’s not many other people in this class that could do that.”
The riders will now make their way to beautiful Southwick, in Southwest Massachusetts, where the fifth AMA Pro Motocross round will take place this coming weekend.
Photo courtesy HRC Honda
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STANDINGS AFTER FOUR ROUNDS:
450 Class Championship Standings (Round 4 of 12)
1 Dylan Ferrandis, France, Yamaha – 179 Points
2 Ken Roczen, Germany, Honda – 165 Points
3 Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, Yamaha – 143 Points
4 Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill., Honda – 132 Points
5 Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Kawasaki – 129 Points
6 Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., GASGAS – 121 Points
7 Adam Cianciarulo, Port Orange, Fla., Kawasaki – 116 Points
8 Christian Craig, El Cajon, Calif., Yamaha – 104 Points
9 Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM – 102 Points
10 Marvin Musquin, France, KTM – 90 Points
250 Class Championship Standings (Round 4 of 12)
1 Jett Lawrence, Australia, Honda – 172 Points
2 Justin Cooper, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Yamaha – 164 Points
3 Hunter Lawrence, Australia, Honda – 128 Points
4 RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Husqvarna – 111 Points
5 Jeremy Martin, Millville, Minn., Yamaha – 108 Points
6 Jalek Swoll, Belleview, Fla., Husqvarna – 108 Points
7 Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Yamaha – 103 Points
8 Jo Shimoda, Japan, Kawasaki – 99 Points
9 Colt Nichols, Muskogee, Okla., Yamaha – 97 Points
10 Austin Forkner, Richards, Mo., Kawasaki – 87 Points