Jett Lawrence on Anticipating Battling Haiden Deegan Next Year: “I’m Always Up for New Challenges”

Now that both riders were crowned champions in their respective classes and a clear plan to move into the premier class has been set in place, anticipation of Haiden Deegan and Jett Lawrence facing off is building. The two generational talents are looking forward to battling one another next year in the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, as Yamaha recently announced a multi-year agreement with now two-time 250 Pro Motocross Champion Deegan that will see him race the 450 Class of Pro Motocross next summer. Will that be the first time we see Deegan vs Lawrence? Or could we see Deegan in a 450SX race in Monster Energy AMA Supercross beforehand? Either way, when the two finally do get on the starting gates together, all eyes will be on the #18 and the #38.

While in a champions’ post-race press conference on Saturday following the Budds Creek National, the two were asked about their thoughts looking ahead to racing one another next summer in motocross.

Question: Haiden and Jett. This is the first time we see in the two of you sitting up there together. Maybe we'll see this a lot more next summer. The fans are already, you know, hyping up the rivalry between you two. Jett, there's a clip online of someone shouting to you about Haiden last weekend. I guess both of you, what are your thoughts on racing each other next summer?

Jett Lawrence: Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. I'm always up for new challenges. I feel like, when I get challenged, when someone does come in really good, I feel like I ride better. Creates a, you know, new motivation for me, you know? Like, obviously no one wants to lose in this sport. So, whenever I lose, I get pretty pissed and I want to want to come back, and I work hard and make sure I have a good jump back next race. So, I'm looking forward to obviously, the fans want to want to create a rivalry where the closest in age, I would say out of other competitors. So, yeah, I think people are trying to create like the RC/James Short kind of thing, which is cool. It's the sport needs a rivalry, and I think it'll be it'll be good for the sport.

Haiden Deegan: Yeah, I'm excited. I got a little work to do. Obviously, those guys are, you know, pretty gnarly in the 450 Class. So, all I can do is work hard and, yeah, eventually, hopefully be up there running with the boys. But as of now, I got a lot of work to do, whether it's a lot or just, you know, go out there and put a put my days in, but we'll get there.

You can watch the full interaction in the video below.