Image: Octopi Media.

Australian Hunter Lawrence managed to strike first in the Houston round of 2023 Monster Energy Supercross, marking the season-opening round of 250SX East.

Racing for his first time on American soil, Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM) led the first lap, before Lawrence soon rode into the lead and took charge from there.

Apart from Vialle, debuting rookies Chance Hymas (Team Honda HRC) and Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) displayed early brilliance before dropping back. At the same time, Jordon Smith (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing), Nate Thrasher (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) and Jeremy Martin (Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha) moved forward.

With Lawrence leading and Max Anstie (Fire Power Honda) in second, Smith held third despite a fall in the sand, while a worse fall for Thrasher in the same area dropped him to 15th at the end.

Holding off a charge from TLD Red Bull GasGas rider Michael Mosiman, Deegan benefitted from a last-lap fall for Martin to finish fourth on debut after Lawrence, Anstie, and Smith earned podium positions less than three seconds ahead.

Martin recovered for fifth ahead of Mosiman, Vialle, Hymas, Cullin Park (Phoenix Racing Honda) and late Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki fill-in rider Chris Blose in the top 10.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna graduate Hawkins was 11th, just up the track from Coty Schock (Phoenix Racing Honda), who salvaged a 12th-place result after being questionable to participate in the LCQ. It will be Lawrence who holds the red plate heading to Tampa next Saturday, 11 February.

Detailed results