News 3 Jun 2023

Hangtown sweep continues Lawrence 450MX dominance

Another 1-1 performance sees rookie increase early advantage.

Image: Octopi Media.

Another clean-sweep for Jett Lawrence saw the Team Honda HRC rider continue his dominance at Hangtown as a rookie in the 450MX class of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship.

It was Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) and Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM) who got the initial jump on of the gates in moto one, but Lawrence sliced his way into the lead through the first turn and controlled the race from there.

As the 19-year-old appeared to do it with relative ease at the front, eventually extending to a winning margin of 4.122s after cruising on the final lap, a solid ride from Ferrandis saw him overcome Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM) for the runner-up result – the pair battling closely throughout the moto for position and the latter keeping things interesting all the way through to the end.

Webb was a lonely fourth, as was Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy Kawasaki) in fifth to open the day’s proceedings. P6 through 10th included Fredrik Noren (Twisted Tea Suzuki), class newcomer Ty Masterpool (Kawasaki) on debut, Derek Drake (BarX Suzuki), Lorenzo Locurcio (GasGas) and Jerry Robin (Yamaha).

Four starts, four wins. That’s the tally for Lawrence to open his 450MX career after clinching another overall at Hangtown this afternoon, building upon his points-lead in the process. Lawrence again hit the front on lap one despite not getting the holeshot and he was able to manage his buffer from there, crossing the finish-line by 5.041s in the end.

An impressive second on return to the outdoors was Webb, who was able to fend off Ferrandis in the final laps – that pair taking advantage of a late mishap for Plessinger that cost him a podium opportunity. Fourth in the race was Cianciarulo, with Jose Butron (GasGas) racing to a top-five result ahead of Plessinger, Masterpool, Drake, Robin and Romain Pape (GasGas).

It was Lawrence with the round victory ahead of Ferrandis and Webb, while in the championship Lawrence already has an 18-point lead, now over Ferrandis and with Webb climbing to third heading to Thunder Valley, Colorado, next Saturday, 10 June.

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