Image: Octopi Media.

This season marks a shift in dynamics for Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton in Pro Motocross, facing an incoming challenge from rookie 450MX teammate Jett Lawrence and becoming the more experienced rider in the fight for the premier class crown.

Last year saw Sexton take the outdoor title down to the wire against eventual champion Eli Tomac, but this time things are different with Lawrence as his primary rival after winning the Fox Raceway opener on debut.

Sexton managed to fight back from a mediocre start in the opening moto to finish in second place on Saturday, before moto two saw a much better start for the recently-crowned 450SX champion. Once again, despite a significantly better ride, he had to settle for second after being unable to make his way around Lawrence.

“The second moto was more of what we’re used to,” Sexton told MotoOnline. “I think it was me just getting a little bit more comfortable back on outdoors. I haven’t had the most time outdoors, obviously, I’ve put in as much time as I could to get ready, but just racing Supercross and being in a fight for a championship, you can’t take too much time off of that. So, had to kind of just wing it today a little bit.

“We changed a lot of bike set-up stuff before the second moto and it was a lot better. I knew on the sight lap that it was better, it felt a little more like what I was used to from last year. Obviously, didn’t get the win, but it was a good battle with Jett and I expect more of that this summer. I think from last year, going through the whole year in a battle for the championship, I think I’m ready for what I have in front of me this year, so I’m looking forward to the rest of these races.”

Sexton’s 2-2 puts him second on the 450MX leaderboard with 44 points, six behind Lawrence as the series heads to Hangtown for round two this Saturday, 3 June.