Image: Octopi Media.

Defending 250MX champion Jett Lawrence delivered a commanding performance to go 1-1 in the 2022 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship at Fox Raceway, leading Hunter Lawrence in both motos.

It was a Lawrence 1-2 in the opening 250MX moto of the season, with Jett 6.688s seconds ahead of Hunter, as RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) made a late move for third.

The early laps were led by Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) until the younger Lawrence made his way by near 10 minutes in, with Hunter following suit soon afterwards and giving chase. Things started unravelling from there for Cooper, with Hampshire next to go by and then a whole group of riders following that.

In the end, it was the Lawrences ahead of Hampshire, with Jo Shimoda (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) fourth and Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) the top five.

Sixth through 10th included a fighting Austin Forkner (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki), Pierce Brown (TLD Red Bull GasGas), top-qualifier Seth Hammaker (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki), Michael Mosiman (TLD Red Bull GasGas) and Stilez Robertson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna).

Cooper faded all the way back to 11th in his first competitive appearance since Hangtown last season. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Jalek Swoll went down and out of contention early with what appeared to be a shoulder injury, as McAdoo was also forced out after going down in the mid-stages.

Another commanding performance from Jett Lawrence saw him make his way by debutant Nick Romano (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) two laps in and control the balance, signalling his intentions for the season ahead complete with the number one plate.

Lawrence’s winning margin by race-end was a full 5.381s, again followed by brother Hunter, who this time had to climb from P7 at the end of lap one. Hunter made his move on Shimoda for the runner-up result on the final lap, as Mosiman delivered a better ride this time out for fourth and was comfortably ahead of Hammaker in fifth position.

Sixth matched his opening moto result for Forkner, followed by Brown, Kitchen, Hampshire – who was toward the rear of the pack at the beginning of the moto – and Max Vohland (Red Bull KTM) the top 10.

Overall, it was Jett Lawrence who started his title defense in style ahead of brother Hunter, with Shimoda’s final moto result boosting him up onto the final place on the podium. Next Saturday, the series will travel to Hangtown in Northern California for round two of the season.

Detailed results