Ryan Nitzen | May 27, 2023
Welcome to Fox Raceway for round one of the 2023 AMA Pro Motocross Championship. After just one week off, the boys are back to kick off the summer’s racing series. We’ve got feet on the ground in Pala to bring you coverage all day long. After four long motos, it’s both Lawrence’s taking their overall victories.
450 Moto 1
Jett Lawrence put on an absolute clinic in the first 450 moto. He grabbed the holeshot and ran away with the win, the first of his new 450MX career. It was a smooth race for Lawrence, who finished 10 seconds up on his teammate Sexton.
The Pro Motocross Championship is officially underway. Photos: Brown Dog Wilson
This was the only view of Jett Lawrence in 450 moto one.
Chase Sexton took second in moto one. Even with a slow start, the Honda rider still matched the best laps of his teammate. In the end he just couldn’t make up enough time on Lawrence out front. A second in the first moto still kept him in contention for the day’s overall.
Sexton held strong for second in both motos.
Dylan Ferrandis returned to action today and held tough for a podium in moto one. The Yamaha rider was a bit off the pace from the two front runners but he still stayed in front of the two KTM’s of Webb and Plessinger.
Dylan Ferrandis returned to action with a third in the first 450 moto.
450 Moto 2
The second 450 moto looked like a near carbon copy from moto one. Lawrence started off in the lead with Sexton closely behind in second. The two teammates went toe to toe for the entire 36-minute race, never being more than three seconds apart. Both riders made mistakes but Jett held on for the win over Sexton. With 1-1 and 2-2 scores, the two Honda’s took the top two spots on the podium.
Jett and Sexton were this close for the whole second moto.
But Jett still managed to take the win.
Dylan Ferrandis held on for third in moto two. He battled again with Webb and Plessinger but held on for the final spot on the box. A consistent 3-3 day for Ferrandis earned him third overall in his first race back.
Ferrandis backed it up with another third.
Webb and Plessinger flip-flopped results, trading fourths and fifths on the day. Plessinger got the advantage with 5-4 over Webb’s 4-5.
450 podium.
450MX Overall Results (Top 10)
| 1. |
Jett Lawrence |
(Hon) |
1-1 |
| 2. |
Chase Sexton |
(Hon) |
2-2 |
| 3. |
Dylan Ferrnadis |
(Yam) |
3-3 |
| 4. |
Aaron Plessinger |
(KTM) |
5-4 |
| 5. |
Cooper Webb |
(KTM) |
4-5 |
| 6. |
Adam Cianciarulo |
(Kaw) |
6-7 |
| 7. |
Grant Harlan |
(Yam) |
9-6 |
| 8. |
Jose Butron |
(GG) |
10-8 |
| 9. |
Lorenzo Locurcio |
(GG) |
7-11 |
| 10. |
Fredrik Noren |
(Suz) |
13-9 |
250 Moto 1
RJ Hampshire was the man to beat in the first 250 moto of the day. The Husqvarna rider battled for the lead early on and took over the top spot after the first few laps. He ran away with the win in the first moto and set the tone for the rest of the day.
RJ Hampshire took the first 250 moto in stride.
Max Vohland came out swinging in moto one and put the haters to rest with a front-running performance. The KTM pilot started near the front of the field and settled into a solid pace behind Hampshire. After an up-and-down Supercross series, it’s good to see Vohland on the box against a stacked field.
Max Vohland logged a second in moto one. Photo: Kit Palmer
Hunter Lawrence took third. The 250 East Supercross champ started off slowly but worked his way through the field as the race wore on. By the time he caught up to the front, there was nothing he could do. Third place still put him in contention for the day’s overall.
Hunter Lawrence worked his way to third.
250 Moto 2
Hunter Lawrence bounced back in the second moto with a dominant win. He took the holeshot and never looked back, leading every lap of the 30+2 lap race. With 3-1 finishes, Lawrence takes the overall win at round one.
Lawrence dominated the second 250 moto.
Haiden Deegan finished second in moto two. The 250 rookie started up in podium territory and moved his way past Tom Vialle near the half-way point. Deegan looked like a vet as he cruised to second in the race and second overall.
250 rookie, Haiden Deegan took second in race two and second overall.
Tom Vialle held on for third. The two-time MX2 World Champion is in his rookie year here in the states and landed on the podium in his first outdoor race. His third place finish put him in a three-way tie for fourth, but his second moto finish gave him the upper hand in the overalls.
Vialle led Deegan early on but finished third. Photo: Kit Palmer
RJ Hampshire didn’t see the same success in race two as he crashed twice on lap one alone. Hampshire clawed his way up but fell again late in race and eventually finished 11th. His 1-11 scores still earned him third overall.
Hampshire made it difficult on himself with three crashes in the second moto.
250 podium.
250MX Overall Results (Top 10)
| 1. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
3-1 |
| 2. |
Haiden Deegan |
(Yam) |
6-2 |
| 3. |
RJ Hampshire |
(Hus) |
1-11 |
| 4. |
Tom Vialle |
(KTM) |
7-3 |
| 5. |
Justin Cooper |
(Yam) |
5-4 |
| 6. |
Maximus Vohland |
(KTM) |
2-9 |
| 7. |
Jo Shimoda |
(Kaw) |
4-6 |
| 8. |
Guillem Farres |
(Yam) |
8-5 |
| 9. |
Levi Kitchen |
(Yam) |
10-7 |
| 10. |
Carson Mumford |
(Kaw) |
11-8 |
QUALIFYING
Jett Lawrence is making his full-time 450 debut today and he did so in typical Jett fashion. The 450 rookie set the fastest time of the morning, three seconds ahead of his Honda teammate Chase Sexton. Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo rounded out the top three in qualifying.
Jett Lawrence topped the charts by three seconds. Photos: Brown Dog Wilson
Chase Sexton was second fastest.
Adam Cianicarulo clocked the third best time.
Cooper Webb is back racing outdoors. He was fourth.
Dylan Ferrandis is healed up from a mid-season concussion. He rounded out the top five.
450MX Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
Jett Lawrence |
(Hon) |
2:20.539 |
| 2. |
Chase Sexton |
(Hon) |
2:23.053 |
| 3. |
Adam Cianciarulo |
(Kaw) |
2:23.251 |
| 4. |
Cooper Webb |
(KTM) |
2:23.507 |
| 5. |
Dylan Ferrandis |
(Yam) |
2:24.190 |
| 6. |
Aaron Plessinger |
(KTM) |
2:24.862 |
| 7. |
Derek Drake |
(Suz) |
2:25.889 |
| 8. |
Dante Oliveira |
(KTM) |
2:26.862 |
| 9. |
Jerry Robin |
(Yam) |
2:28.019 |
| 10. |
Fredrik Noren |
(Suz) |
2:28.049 |
250MX
The field is stacked in the 250MX class with the usual suspects and some new faces. There’s a wave of rookies making their debuts today and many of them landed inside the top 10. Justin Cooper is back on a 250 after a brief stint in the 450SX class. He topped the charts ahead of Max Vohland and Supercross champ, Hunter Lawrence.
250MX Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
Justin Cooper |
(Yam) |
2:21.308 |
| 2. |
Max Vohland |
(KTM) |
2:22.200 |
| 3. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
2:22.225 |
| 4. |
Levi Kitchen |
(Yam) |
2:23.550 |
| 5. |
Jo Shimoda |
(Kaw) |
2:23.804 |
| 6. |
Haiden Deegan |
(Yam) |
2:23.938 |
| 7. |
RJ Hampshire |
(Hus) |
2:24.056 |
| 8. |
Jeremy Martin |
(Yam) |
2:24.311 |
| 9. |
Guillem Farres |
(Yam) |
2:24.488 |
| 10. |
Ryder DiFrancesco |
(Kaw) |
2:24.532 |
Pics From The Pits
A bunch of rookies made their true professional debuts at Fox Raceway. Here’s Honda’s Chance Hymas. Photos: Ryan Nitzen
Hymas with 250 teammate, Hunter Lawrence.
The 832 is the newest full-time addition to the Honda HRC squad as Jett moves up to the 450 and Colt Nichols being on a Supercross-only deal.
Ryder Difrancesco is also making his full-time debut alongside teammate Jett Reynolds.
Ryder D and the rest of the Fox riders were sporting this new “Barbed and Dangerous” collection along with the Pro Circuit Scott goggles.
The #238 of Haiden Deegan is also taking on his first full season.
Factory pit carrier under the Star Racing Yamaha tent.
It’s a bummer we won’t see the #1 in action this summer.
Levi Kitchen is back with the Steg Pegz for outdoors. This time he’s got some trick carbon mounts.
Yamaha E Mountain Bikes are used for warm ups under the Star tent.
Garrett Marchbanks is healed up and back with the Club MX Yamaha team.
Marchbanks in action. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Preston Kilroy is a new addition to the Club MX team.
Kilroy previously rode for the BarX Suzuki team. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Speaking of BarX, they’ve got a full tent and are slated to do the full outdoor series. The 316 is rookie, Chase Yentzer.
With an off weekend from the NGPC series, defending champ, Dante Oliveira tried his hand at qualifying in the 450 class. He was eighth.
Ryan Surratt is another moto racer turned off-roader. He now rides for the JCR Honda team but came out for Pala. Photo: Brown Dog Wilson
Surratt raced with a clear 2 gallon tank from Red Moto. He normally races with a 2.6 gallon unit.
The steering stabilizer also came over to the moto bike.
Tall seat and a bump for Adam Cianciarulo.
Added carbon protection must mean we’re outdoors.
Full carbon disc cover for the Pro Circuit Kawasaki team.
Cooper Webb is back for his first full outdoor season since 2021.
The Rides Unlimited KTM team has a new look with these Rocky Mountain ATV MC graphics.
With the Pierer Group acquiring Felt Bicycles, it’s common to see them with KTM-branded teams.
Ryan Dungey sighting! Unfortunately, he’s not racing this time.
Meet Bryce Hammond. He’s six-foot-nine and races the 450 class.
Hammond takes two seat foams, glues them together, then stretches a custom, extra large seat cover over the top.
409 is Carter Dubach, son of Doug Dubach. Carter grabbed the final spot in the 250 LCQ.
The secret grip on Max Vohland’s Fox boots? It’s actually a cut up mountain bike tire.
Here’s proof that Kris Keefer did try to qualify!
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