A huge day today for the red brand, as Honda picks up their first AMA Motocross title since 2013 with Eli Tomac. Jett Lawrence at just 18 years and change old has won his first championship as a professional rider. The Australian phenom wrapped up this year’s AMA 250 in dramatic fashion, after a calamitous Moto 1. A few early incidents would net an 11 point loss to Justin Cooper. However, Lawrence was able to rally after further incidents in Moto 2 to secure his first professional championship. He also joins Dylan Ferrandis in the first-ever all international championship-winning pairing, post 500cc era (1994-present). In addition to being the first Australian-born AMA champion since Chad Reed in 2009.
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“Jetterational” Talent
This is a phrase used to describe the new 250 Motocross Champion. Whether he is indeed generational or not is still hard to say, what is not hard to decipher is that Lawrence is really, really good. Dating back to Ironman a year ago, he has finished ninth or better 38 consecutive Motos before Saturday. 21 of those results ended up as podiums, with nine resulting in Moto wins, absurd. Not quite James Stewart 2002-2004 absurd (won all but three motos from Red Bud ’02-Budds Creek ’04) but exceptional all the same.
After a midseason stall, Lawrence made a strong late-season charge beginning at Unadilla. After going 2-1 at arguably the toughest course on the schedule, he proceeded to win two of the next three nationals on the schedule. Going 1-1 in back-to-back weeks at Ironman, and then Pala where he won earlier in the year as well, setting himself up nicely for today. After his Moto 1 disaster, he showed great mental toughness to seal the deal a little over an hour later. Having another poor start and tip over, and finding a way to finish third.
Celebration Time
Safe to say that Lawrence may be one of the most popular riders anywhere on the planet today. The 18-year-old has an electric personality and is an elite-tier Motocross rider. Not to mention that whoever runs his marketing is certainly earning his keep. Lawrence, to the surprise of no one, got some of the biggest cheers in years when he got the No. 1 plate. His championship speech was short but sweet.
“Oh my gosh I rode so bad today, and Cooper rode awesome. [Cooper] had an awesome year, I love racing him, he always keeps you on your toes, especially with those starts. I got to thank the whole crew who got me here, I can’t thank them enough. My manager Lucas, my whole family, [Hunter Lawrence], and all of [Honda] HRC. Without them I wouldnt be here, and theres even people in Europe who helped me get here. So I love them all, but I know it’s a very special day for me, and a special day for you guys.”
The Lawrence brothers left everything in Australia just to have a chance in the feeder series of MXGP. Now both brothers are in America, and Jett is now an AMA Champion. While Hunter finished third place in this year’s title hunt. The sport is in great hands with both set to be key players for years to come. The scary thing as well with Jett is, we likely have not even seen what he is fully capable of yet.
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Main Image via Honda Racing Corporation.com
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