Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence continued his 2023 Pro Motocross Championship dominance with another perfect 450MX scorecard at round six of the series in Southwick to remain unbeaten in all 12 motos. Meanwhile, in 250MX it was Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle who claimed his first win on American soil, the two-time world champion riding to 1-3 in the motos. Both riders were available to the media after the races for this Debrief feature.

450MX

Image: Octopi Media.

Jett, 12 for 12. Give us your assessment of the day. How was the track?

It was a pretty brutal day today, even in practice it was kind of flat but still had a few rough bits. Today was just survival, trying to get the best out of the day that you can and just fighting. At the end of the day everyone was so done. But another good weekend. My starts were okay. We were second on both of those, but we were able to capitalize on that single in both. I’m just looking forward to getting out of this place really and getting on to Millville, [laughs]. That track is pretty fun, it’s one of my favorite ones I’d say.

Dylan got a great start and looked in control of the holeshot in that second moto. But, you tucked up the inside of him going over the first big jump. Tell us what motivated you and how you made that move to get into the lead.

Dylan just got a better jump in that second one and obviously was on the inside of me so I couldn’t do a lot, so I just thought I’d try and maybe out brake him. But, by the time I was kind of pulling back in front of him the turn was already there, so I couldn’t quite do anything there because he was going to drift out wide. So, I just tried to tuck in underneath, then I was just trying to hit those turns the best I could so I could try get him in that next section. A lot of people can’t hit that. When you land that single it shoots you off in any direction and if you don’t get it quite good or if you land in a deeper spot it takes away a lot of speed. So I was just like ‘alright, let’s hope we just land in a good spot and capitalize on him landing in a softer area.’ So, we just really didn’t want to get covered in sand, I didn’t want to be eating that.

What are you thinking about throughout the race? Do you focus on your pit board every lap? What are your thought process?

It’s weird. If someone was in my mind throughout the race they’d be kind of confused because I’m on and off focusing on where Chase is at, Dylan’s there. It was definitely a lot easier to spot Chase this weekend with the green, it caught my eye really quickly, so that was good, [laughs]. So, I was just thinking of that and making sure I hit my lines and see where the gap is. I was also thinking about how tired my legs were, but then at the end, I had a song playing in my head. It’s like a squirrel brain a little bit, but the main ones, at the start are just the gap and hitting my marks.

When you pick your start gate, do you care where your competition start from? Do you want to be inside or outside of them?
I just of go off of what I feel best with now, because they’re only prepping so far out in front. So, I just look at the best rut and the best angle to the first turn. If my competitors go next to me like Dylan this weekend, he asked which way I lean. I kind of tend to hook right a bit. He got lucky this weekend, I went straight, thankfully.

250MX

Image: Octopi Media.

Tom, congrats on winning your first AMA national. It must mean a lot. What were your thoughts onSouthwick?

It means a lot. I had a few tough races and tough times. Even to be on the podium, first overall win and on the podium, it took time, it was tough to be honest. Getting everything a little bit together now, I feel better on the bike, I’m starting to feel like myself again, like last year. So, I think we are in a good position for the end of the season. The track was nice. A little bit like what I know. The track is way different than Lommel, or other tracks like that. Underneath it’s kind of hard here, but it was nice. It was nice to be back on a sand track. Hopefully we can continue like this next weekend.

In Europe, your team was based in Lommel, so you spend a lot of time in the bottomless sand of the Netherlands or Belgium. You mentioned this track having a hard base, but how did you feel today considering the conditions?

In Europe, all the teams are more or less based in Belgium, so we have to ride in the sand in the winter. We’re used to doing a lot of sand. This track is a little bit different, underneath it was kind of hard, so it’s not like Lommel. Maybe close to Valkenswaard or a track like this where it’s hard underneath, But, I liked the track, it was pretty nice It was not super rough. It was rough, but more like small braking bumps, not big waves like we can see at Lommel. But it was nice, I had a fun time.

In the MXGP’s you get to ride more of a specialized motorcycle. Has it taken you a little bit of time to get familiar with the package you have this year?

Yeah, the weekend is way different over here. We don’t have as much time, so that’s maybe why I struggle a little bit with the first moto. But, everyone told me here that early in the first practice you have to do a lap because it’ll be one of the fastest. Even first lap, I jumped over the finish jump, it was not a big jump but I don’t even know, I’d never jumped it before, so to have to go from the second lap full gas almost. So, it’s pretty tough. Normally I try to anticipate the track a little bit, but it took some time. In Europe, we have like 30 minutes of free practice, but here after two or three laps you have to ride at almost 100 percent, so that’s pretty tough. I’m getting used to it, getting better each weekend on timed practice, but it’s not easy.

Have you ever ridden at Millville? Or at least seen it on TV?

No. For sure I’ve seen it on TV. But, I’ve never ridden in the USA before this season, so I don’t know the track.

I believe this is the first 250MX win for KTM since Marvin [Musquin] was in the class. He’s been helping you lately and helping you get adjusted to the US. Can you talk about that relationship and how he has been an asset to you?

I started to work with Marvin for the outdoors. I needed someone close, who knows the tracks. I knew he could help me a lot with his experience over here. He’s ridden here for many years, so he knows a lot about each track. We talked a lot before the moto about the lines and stuff, trying just to help get me a little bit more comfortable with the track. That’s worked pretty well so far.