Image: Octopi Media.

The step of Hunter Lawrence to the 450 class from 2024 has been officially confirmed by Team Honda HRC, with the Australian to join his brother Jett Lawrence in the outfit’s premier class SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) line-up.

Lawrence makes the transition after a stellar 2023 campaign onboard the CRF250R, winning the 250SX East and 250MX titles in red, in addition to helping Team Australia achieve its best-ever result of second at the Motocross of Nations (MXoN).

The now 24-year-old moved to the US in 2019 after racing in the MX2 World Championship, amassing a number of race wins and podium finishes during his tenure in the quarter-liter class prior to making the anticipated step to the 450.

“I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in my 250 career, but it’s exciting to move up to the premier class for 2024,” Lawrence said. “I feel like my style is well-suited for the CRF450RWE, and off-season testing has been going well so far.

“I enjoyed battling with Jett in the 250 class before he moved up, and I’m looking forward to doing that again now that we’re both on the big bike. I’ve got a great team around me, and I can’t wait to get back in action at Anaheim 1.”

Lawrence’s move to the 450, which was well-known before being officially announced, left a vacant spot in the organization’s 250 class effort, with Jo Shimoda transitioning from Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki to fill the space, alongside Chance Hymas.

The 2024 season commences at Angel Stadium, Anaheim, on 6 January, marking the first gate drop of next year’s Monster Energy Supercross Championship.