The competition has been very close at the front of the 450 class in this year's Pro Motocross Championship, but Southwick represented a shift, because Jett Lawrence pulled huge leads in both motos, and Hunter Lawrence was also the second best rider on the day, even passing Eli Tomac to take second in moto two and second overall.
What's changed? And what does Hunter need to do to challenge Jett? Let's see what they think.
Jett, you had an eventful day with the holeshot in both motos and keeping that lead to go1-1 today. Although the lead was different in a sense. We're used to seeing you manage that gap and today you just took off running with it. So what was different about the race today that really stood out?
Jett Lawrence: I think I didn't really worry too much about managing the gap. I just kind of just had a good flow and, and I know with sand, whenever you try to like ride slower than the flow you've just kind of built, it's a lot harder to try and ride with less energy. So whatever flow you have with you kind of stick with it, and that's what I end up doing is try to stick to that flow and and not use a lot of energy. Yeah, I just felt good today. Obviously both starts were good, so, super happy.
Hunter, you also had a solid and consistent ride today proving the point that you and the HRC team have really figured out how to ride these types of tracks. You've made that noticeable progress, you've put in the hard work, but the real question is how much is it going to take to beat Jett?
Hunter Lawrence: Yeah, I think that's the very, very popular question on everyone's mind. Put it down to a percentage, I don't know, maybe it's 2 percent, 5 percent, 10 percent, not sure, maybe it's 1 percent. We're all at such a high level now, so it's, it's tough. First moto, I felt like the first opening laps, I needed to be better and he was able to bridge a little gap. The second moto, I didn't quite get around close enough, and then Eli got past me after a few corners, so I kind of lost the tow there, so, that's, in my opinion, where I could have been better today. In the first opening laps.
You know Jett’s strengths and weaknesses and he knows yours as well, but it seems like so far this year he's been getting you on the starts a lot. So it's kind of two-parter. Is this happening like when you guys test starts at the compound during the week? Like is he getting you a lot there too? And what do you think it is that he's just got a little edge on you there?
Hunter: Um, no, I wouldn't say he's been always getting me on the start, I think. Well, I know I whoop him during the week, and the starts, and I feel like the first few rounds, I was starting in front of him, actually. But it was just the first few laps is where he would, you know, get past me in the next corner or something like that. Obviously the first few rounds we were kind of working through some bike stuff and, and just not willing to go to that limit in the first few races, or send it in the first few laps. Honestly, we have to. It's an all-out sprint the first few laps and there's some stuff you have to do that you maybe don't want to do or take a certain line at a certain pace where you're like, “Hold on for dear life, hope this works out.” That takes a lot of confidence in the bike and stuff, and we're in a lot better position now. For me, I'm a guy that I need to get the time under my belt. I can't just click my fingers and go, “Oh yeah, I'm gonna do this and then wake up tomorrow and do it.” I have to log the laps, log the time and work at it.
Jett, you tied James Stewart today in career overall wins. I know you kind of joked about the whole, you know, beat him on the golf course thing, but what do these kind of like records or getting up in the record books actually mean to you in this sport?
It's really cool to see your name, obviously this early in my career as well, being up there. It's an honor to be with those names. Obviously James is a very known name in our sport, so it's really cool. Obviously I talk some smack with him on the golf course because he sends that over texting me, but no, it's an honor to be tied with him. Hopefully we're not still tied with him after a few weekends! Hopefully we can just keep chipping away. As long as I just focus on my racing, I think that'll take care of itself, but no, it's very cool.
Seems like they brought a lot of new sand in, so it's a little firm or a little softer on top. Drier weather this week. We didn't get the rain that we thought. How did the track break down for you guys and 450s being first in the rotation.
Hunter: Oh, I didn't really see where they put the sand on the track, honestly, it's still really hard pack, and a really solid base. But the track did seem pretty one lined, more maybe more so than prior years, but, I don't know, I thought maybe the 450s going first might change how the track developed, but still pretty typical, just kind of shitty rough, like tough to get a flow, the short kicky bumps and stuff that are tough to really flow through.
With today's progress and today's results, how does Red Bud look for you guys and what will you be doing this week to prepare?
Jett: Buying fireworks and I wish I could drink beers, but I don't like the taste, but that would be the proper way to prepare for Redbud since it's 4th of July [laughs]. We're just gonna go back to the same stuff as, uh, as other weeks and just, just ride a bike and then, uh, try and replicate.
