Image: Octopi Media.

Qualifying at Thunder Valley’s third round of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship saw Jett Lawrence and Justin Cooper atop the timesheets this morning.

In a continuation of his early-season dominance, Team Honda HRC’s Lawrence made it three from three to open his premier class career in terms of qualifying quickest.

Lawrence posted a 2m16.487s, which placed him six-tenths ahead of Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy Kawasaki) in second on combined times.

It was there where the surprises started, as Ty Masterpool (Kawasaki) qualified third, directly ahead of another 450MX newcomer in Derek Drake (BarX Suzuki), who had been second in the opening session this morning.

A trio of factory riders – Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) alongside Red Bull KTM teammates Cooper Webb and Aaron Plessinger – were fifth, sixth and seventh, followed by Garrett Marchbanks (Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha), Grant Harlan (Manluk Rock River Racing) and Honda-mounted privateer Jeremy Hand.

Image: Octopi Media.

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider Cooper set the pace in both timed sessions this morning, his eventual best of 2m16.477s a full second ahead of the chasing pack.

Red plate-holder Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) was next in line, P2 on combined times after being ninth in the earlier qualifier, followed by Jo Shimoda (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki), RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) and Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing).

Lap-times were tight throughout the top 10, completed by Chance Hymas (Team Honda HRC), Guillem Farres (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing), Maximus Vohland (Red Bull KTM), Ryder DiFrancesco (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) and Jalek Swoll (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna).

Unfortunately for Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Carson Mumford, he went down in practice and has opted not to start today’s motos.

Detailed results