In Quotebook, a selection of riders detail how their races played out at the opening round of the 2022 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship at Fox Raceway. 

450MX

Image: Octopi Media.

Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM) – Eighth:
This was my first race back since Minneapolis and I had a pretty good day overall. The first moto, I actually surprised myself. I didn’t really know I was going to be that fast, catching up to Ryan and actually riding with him a little bit in the top-five. I had a little tip-over that brought me back to sixth but I felt good. Going into the second one, I knew my arm was a little bit tired so I wanted to get a good start and that didn’t really happen but I pushed through. It was a grind the second moto and I’m just happy I made it through. I’m also happy to be back at the races and looking forward to improving from here.

Ryan Dungey (Red Bull KTM) – Fifth:
I’m excited to be here racing and super thankful it worked out. Going into the first moto, it was important to just let it come to me – don’t rush, don’t override, hit your marks and find good lines as the race goes on. I was able to make some passes and I was actually pretty happy with fifth. I got a really good start in the second moto and that was nice because I got to run up there with Chase and Ken and get a feel of that pace that I need to work towards. I’m actually really happy with the day and the bike, too. We made some changes going into the second moto and that really helped. For me, it’s the best outdoor bike I’ve ever ridden at KTM, so that’s really pleasing. The cool part is I see the areas I need to work on and that’s the challenge and the motivation moving forward.

Tony Cairoli (Red Bull KTM) – Seventh: 
Here at Pala, it’s a very nice debut for me. Of course, it could be a little better without the crash in the first moto but I was close to the top-five in both races. I’m really happy about how it went considering my fitness, I only started doing some race training two or three weeks ago. Before, I was just testing for the team and for R&D at KTM so I didn’t really have the plan until one month ago that I would race here. It was feeling a little bit like your mind wants to do it more but you’re careful because this track was very sketchy and demanding so you need to just take whatever comes and we build up a little bit race after race.

Justin Barcia (TLD Red Bull GasGas) – Ninth:
I felt good on the bike in qualifying practice. First moto, I got pinched on the start and I had to come from pretty far back, so it was a good charge through the moto and I felt pretty good. We made a few changes going into the second moto and I got off to a really good start and then in the second corner there was a bit of a pileup and unfortunately, I ended up going down in that, so I had my work cut out for me today. The results don’t really show the riding that I did – I did some really good riding – and I feel like the bike is in a good spot, my fitness is really good and I’m super motivated going into next weekend.

Shane McElrath (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) – 10th: 
It was honestly a good start to the season. It was a quick deal that we put together and for me, it’s been a couple years since I’ve raced outdoors. I had a good feeling on the bike but I’ve not been racing in a couple months so there were a lot of questions I had for myself. I knew that once I got going, I could find a flow, I just had quite a bit of nerves today. First moto was tough but we had some changes for the second moto and regrouped. This is a very good opportunity in front of me and I don’t want to let it go to waste. I want to keep building on today. I think we have a lot of room to grow and I’m excited about it.

Christian Craig (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – Third:
Coming off of my supercross championship, I really wanted to keep the momentum going. My confidence is really high right now and it’s showing on the track with my first career podium on the 450, and my first overall podium in the outdoors. It’s something special going 3-3, and being competitive and battling up there with those guys – racing legends like Ryan (Dungey) Tony (Cairoli), and my teammate. It was just a super positive day to start the outdoor season off right and gives us something to build off of for the rest of the year.

Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – Fourth:
Today was a little bit tough in the first moto. I rode a little bit tight, but the positive from that moto was that my start was really good and the bike was really strong off the start. Then in moto two, my riding was better but I didn’t have as great of a start. I’m more satisfied with my second moto. I felt like it was a lot closer to the way I’m supposed to ride. I still wanted to be on the podium, but that was a decent way to end the day, making improvements from that first moto.

Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) – Second:
I fought hard; that was my game plan. I passed him in the beginning [of moto 2]; I had some really good lines and really good speed, and I hung in there the whole way. He’s really strong right now, and really fast, so the most important thing for me was to not give up. This track was really difficult – really tricky and sketchy. I’m glad we came out on the podium and safe, especially. On top of that, with Jett and Hunter going 1-2, factory Honda Racing have done such a good job. I’m so pumped to get all the retro bikes on the podium with 1 and 2. I thank those guys a lot, along with everyone who’s in my corner.

Chase Sexton (Team Honda HRC) – First:
Man, it was a dream day for me. All supercross season I wanted to do fastest qualifying, win the heat race and win the main, and I never did it. I think outdoors it’s even harder to go 1-1, with two starts and two full motos. It’s tough. I felt perfect out there today. I think Kenny and I are on another level, and it was awesome. The whole Honda team has put in a lot of hard work this off-season and this whole year, to get us comfortable, and I feel like we’re at a good point right now. I just want to give it up to them. Pala and the fans here in Southern California have treated me well a lot, and I’m just stoked. This was a big day for me, with my first 1-1, and I’m just really excited to get this championship going.

Jason Anderson (Monster Energy Kawasaki) – Sixth:
It was a tough one out there today. The field is packed with talent this year and having to overcome two bad starts is certainly not ideal. On the bright side, we still managed both races pretty well and earned a good result. I’m going to stay in California to work with the team for now and get my starts dialed so we have a better chance at battling for wins and podiums

Brandon Hartranft (Twisted Tea Suzuki) – 18th: 
Practice went well. I was 12th in the final qualifying session. I felt much better than last year. In the first moto I had a decent start and was in about 10th place. Then I just froze up and had some bad arm pump. I couldn’t feel the clutch and brake lever; it just wasn’t a good first moto. In the second moto start I got into a little pile-up. After that I was so far back. But I caught all the way back up to 18th. Then we had some issues, so I pulled her in. Overall, we’re definitely in a better position than last year. I feel good on the bike and am definitely looking forward to heading to Hangtown next weekend.

Justin Bogle (Twisted Tea Suzuki) – 22nd: 
It was a really rough day for the number 19 machine. It’s tough coming into outdoors with only limited time on outdoor settings trying to get the bike and myself ready. I didn’t have any big crashes but had lots of close calls. This place is always really difficult on national day, so I am thankful to just get out of this round healthy. We’ll keep working for another week in California then it’s back to Florida where the work continues.

250MX

Image: Octopi Media.

Seth Hammaker (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) – Seventh: 
It feels really good to be back at the races again. It’s been a few months since I lined up to compete so I was expecting to have some nerves, but it all came back to me really quick. I’m pumped to have gotten fastest qualifier at the opening round too! We’re going to build on this performance as we prepare for next weekend and try to carry more of that qualifying speed into the motos.

Jo Shimoda (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) – Third: 
I worked really hard during these last two weeks to prepare for the Pro Motocross season and to be standing on the podium. It feels so good seeing all that hard work pay off and I can’t wait to get another podium finish. We have a super stacked field this year. This is going to be a fun summer of racing for everyone.

Austin Forkner (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) – Sixth: 
I think sixth overall is a good result for the opening round and something we can definitely use to build on in the coming weeks. This is a long and physically demanding season so my goal for this round was to leave Fox Raceway healthy and with a good result. And we did just that. Thank you to everyone on my team for all the help. Now it’s time to focus on next week’s race at Hangtown.

Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) – Second: 
It was tough; it’s a really tough track to pass on, as it’s pretty one-lined. It’s not one that you can over-ride and muscle the bike around; you have to be smooth and technical. I’m happy. The 1-2 is great for the family and a great way to start the season, and I can’t thank the team enough.

Jett Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) – First: 
That HRC Honda bike is hooking up out of the gate, giving me a lot better opportunities. Four times undefeated here is a good feeling, even though it’s not one of my favorite tracks. It’s awesome. Congrats to Hunter also; I was trying to race and kind of look back to see if he got Shimoda. It was great to have Honda go 1-2, and it was almost like we were having a little competition with the 450 guys.

Michael Mosiman (TLD Red Bull GasGas) – Fifth: 
What a day! You name it, I saw it, from a heavy crash in practice, to getting caught up in a second-turn pileup in the first moto and coming back to ninth. I had really good speed all day and I felt comfortable on the bike. In the second moto, I got a good start and was right there in the mix running second for a while and I felt good. To have the day that I’ve had, it’s good to get the first one over with and I think you can expect a lot more from me going forward. I’m excited for the season!

Pierce Brown (TLD Red Bull GasGas) – Ninth: 
It was a pretty good day for me. I had two solid motos – nothing too flashy – with two sevenths. I made it through both motos with no crashes, passed guys and got good experience in the battle and that’s what I’ve been looking for the last couple seasons. All-in-all, I think we’re in a good spot for the season. I’m stoked for Hangtown next weekend!

Nate Thrasher (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – 13th: 
It was a tough day. I struggled with the setup and didn’t ride my best today. Early in that first moto, I fell in the first turn and was dead last. I made a little push through the pack, but I got stuck riding at the other rider’s pace and didn’t ride like myself. We’ll go back and keep working and get ready for next weekend.

Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – 12th: 
It was really good to be back racing, but it was a tough day. It’s been a long time off, and we really had a struggle today. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, but I’m positive. We’re going to work hard going into this next round and try to get upfront pretty quick.

Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – Eighth: 
It wasn’t a bad day. The first moto was obviously better, getting fifth, but I still had to work for it in both motos and come from the back, especially in that second one. It was kind of embarrassing; I think I was 38th in the second turn. So I need to work on the starts, but as far as my speed and fitness and everything else, if I can get off the gate with those guys up front, I think I can run with them for sure. I’m looking to do that next weekend and just keep building for the rest of the season.

Nick Romano (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – 15th: 
The day went pretty well. I got off to a nice holeshot in moto two and led for a bit, which was great. I’m just happy that we made improvements every time we hit the track, which was my main goal coming into my first race this weekend. We really had no expectations, so it was a good first round. We know what we need to work on, and we’re going to keep moving forward.

Matthew LeBlanc (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – 20th: 
It was a tough first day. Qualifying was pretty rough, and then in that first moto, I was about fourth and went down in the second corner, which kind of threw the whole day off. I couldn’t really make any passes, so I was 20th in the first moto, which didn’t give me a good gate pick, and I kind of threw away the start in the second moto. So it was just some bad starts, but my riding was decent. We’re going to keep working and keep building for next weekend.

RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) – Fourth: 
It was a pretty crazy day and I was able salvage a fourth overall. The day started off wild, I came together with someone in practice and hit the ground pretty hard but I was able to put that behind us. I feel like I was riding well today and we had really good speed, it’s not like we’re far off. I’ll work on getting a better start next weekend at Hangtown, and being up there and staying consistent.

Stilez Robertson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) – 10th: 
Qualifying was a little rough for me. I just overrode, honestly, but it’s round one of 12, so my main goal this year is to be there every weekend and then I think the results will come. Going 10-11 for 10th overall is not the greatest day but it’s not the worst day. We’re going to keep plugging away

Derek Drake (BarX Chaparral Suzuki) – 18th: 
Pala was tough. We struggled with suspension all day. I’m looking forward to testing this week and then Hangtown next weekend. Physically, I felt strong at Pala so that was a positive on the day.

Max Vohland (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) – 11th: 
Today went pretty good. I came out with more points than I did last year, so that’s a plus. My starts are what really hurt me today. I rode strong and hard, and I feel like I’m in better shape by far than last year, I just need to get off that gate and get a good start. We’ll definitely work some starts this week and I’m looking forward to my hometown race at Hangtown next weekend.