Ryan Nitzen | June 3, 2023
Round two of the Pro Motocross Championship takes place today at the iconic Hangtown Motocross Classic in Rancho Cordova, California. Big news broke this week as Chase Sexton announced he won’t be lining up due to injuries sustained in a mid-week practice crash.
Repeat results from round one see Jett and Hunter Lawrence on top in their respective classes.
450MX
Moto 1
Jett Lawrence didn’t get the official holeshot, but the 450 rookie took over the lead by turn two. He stayed up front for the entire race, but didn’t decimate the field like he did at round one. Instead, Lawrence kept a small gap and rode within his means to take the race win. He’s now three for three to start the year.
Here’s the only view anyone had of Jett Lawrence in moto one. Photos: Brown Dog Wilson
Dylan Ferrandis took second after grabbing the holeshot early in the race. He battled with KTM’s Aaron Plessinger for the whole 30+2 but kept the advantage over the number-seven. Ferrandis is looking to build as he returns to the Pro Motocross series, while Plessinger is hungry for a podium.
Ferrandis fought hard for second.
Moto 2
Another big crash off the start of the second 450 moto but somehow Jett Lawrence still managed to come out with the lead. The 450 rookie took off from there and held a comfortable gap of about four-and-a-half seconds for the rest of the race. He led every lap of today’s racing and continues his win streak in the 450 class. 1-1 gives him the overall for today.
Jett led every lap of the weekend.
Cooper Webb grabbed second in the final moto of the day. The KTM rider found himself in a three-way battle for most of the race and gave up the second spot to Plessinger in the final third of the race. Once his teammate fell, Webb regained the position and held on for a podium. 4-2 gives Webb third overall.
Webb battled for second in moto two.
Dylan Ferrandis took third in moto two. He was the third rider in the Webb/Plessinger battle and the trio went at it for the duration of the race. Ferrandis is open about working with the bike as he continues to test the new Yamaha model. 2-3 earned Ferrandis second overall.
Ferrandis held on for third.
450 Podium.
450MX Overall Results (Top 10)
| 1. |
Jett Lawrence |
(Hon) |
1-1 |
| 2. |
Dylan Ferrandis |
(Yam) |
2-3 |
| 3. |
Cooper Webb |
(KTM) |
4-2 |
| 4. |
Aaron Plessinger |
(KTM) |
3-6 |
| 5. |
Adam Cianciarulo |
(Kaw) |
5-4 |
| 6. |
Ty Masterpool |
(Kaw) |
7-7 |
| 7. |
Derek Drake |
(Suz) |
8-8 |
| 8. |
Jerry Robin |
(Yam) |
10-9 |
| 9. |
Lorenzo Locurcio |
(GG) |
9-11 |
| 10. |
Jose Butron |
(GG) |
16-5 |
250MX
Moto 1
250 Moto 1 belonged to Haiden Deegan. The rookie sensation grabbed his first holeshot of the year and never looked back, leading every lap of the 35 minute race. His teammate, Justin Cooper, got close multiple times but Deegan never relinquished the lead. The Star Racing Yamaha duo went on to finish first and second.
Moto one belonged to Haiden Deegan. Photos: Brown Dog Wilson
Hunter Lawrence took third after another lackluster start. He found himself battling through the field and passing the likes of Tom Vialle, Guillem Farres, and others. Lawrence is still in contention for the overall with a strong podium finish.
Hunter Lawrence fought his way to third.
Moto 2
Justin Cooper came in hot for moto two with a holeshot and the early lead. He held on for the first seven minutes of the race but eventually gave up the spot to Hunter Lawrence. Cooper went on to finish second in the race, going 2-2 for second overall.
Two seconds put Cooper second overall.
Once Hunter Lawrence took the lead there was no turning back. The Honda rider did exactly what he did a week ago at Fox Raceway, rebounding with the win in the second moto. Another 3-1 day for Lawrence still gives him the overall win.
Tom Vialle took third in moto two.
Tom Vialle hung on for third in moto two, the second time he’s done that this year. The Frenchman rode strong despite the chaos going on behind him. Unfortunately for Vialle, a seventh in the first moto dropped him to fourth overall.
Deegan fought back to take third overall.
Moto one winner, Haiden Deegan, got a terrible start in the second race and found himself fighting through the pack for the while moto. He put himself in a big battle with Jalek Swoll, Jo Shimoda, and Chance Hymas for nearly the full race and even connected with a lapper in the later stages. He finally passed for fourth and managed to collect third overall.
250MX Overall Results (Top 10)
| 1. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
3-1 |
| 2. |
Justin Cooper |
(Yam) |
2-2 |
| 3. |
Haiden Deegan |
(Yam) |
1-4 |
| 4. |
Tom Vialle |
(KTM) |
7-3 |
| 5. |
RJ Hampshire |
(Hus) |
5-5 |
| 6. |
Jo Shimoda |
(Kaw) |
4-10 |
| 7. |
Guillem Farres |
(Yam) |
6-8 |
| 8. |
Levi Kitchen |
(Yam) |
10-7 |
| 9. |
Jalek Swoll |
(Hus) |
9-11 |
| 10. |
Ryder DiFrancesco |
(Kaw) |
8-13 |
QUALIFYING
450MX
Jett Lawrence topped the 450 charts this morning with a time that was two seconds clear of any other rider. Adam Cianciarulo and Aaron Plessinger were closely behind in second and third.
Jett Lawrence topped the 450MX class by two seconds. Photos: Brown Dog Wilson
Adam Cianciarulo clocked the second best time.
Aaron Plessinger looked fast for third.
450MX Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
Jett Lawrence |
(Hon) |
2:06.287 |
| 2. |
Adam Cianciarulo |
(Kaw) |
2:08.300 |
| 3. |
Aaron Plessinger |
(KTM) |
2:08.628 |
| 4. |
Cooper Webb |
(KTM) |
2:08.736 |
| 5. |
Dylan Ferrandis |
(Yam) |
2:09.072 |
| 6. |
Fredrik Noren |
(Suz) |
2:10.229 |
| 7. |
Derek Drake |
(Suz) |
2:10.403 |
| 8. |
Jerry Robin |
(Yam) |
2:10.593 |
| 9. |
Ty Masterpool |
(Kaw) |
2:11.038 |
| 10. |
Marshal Weltin |
(Suz) |
2:11.868 |
250MX
Justin Cooper came out swinging today as he set the fastest time in both qualifying sessions. His time is the time to beat ahead of RJ Hampshire and last week’s winner, Hunter Lawrence.
Justin Cooper was the fastest 250 rider in both sessions.
RJ Hampshire put in a fast lap for second in the 250’s.
Hunter Lawrence was third.
250MX Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
Justin Cooper |
(Yam) |
2:06.947 |
| 2. |
RJ Hampshire |
(Hus) |
2:07.211 |
| 3. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
2:07.611 |
| 4. |
Jo Shimoda |
(Kaw) |
2:07.982 |
| 5. |
Jeremy Martin |
(Yam) |
2:08.137 |
| 6. |
Guillem Farres |
(Yam) |
2:08.293 |
| 7. |
Tom Vialle |
(KTM) |
2:08.755 |
| 8. |
Carson Mumford |
(Kaw) |
2:08.763 |
| 9. |
Levi Kitchen |
(Yam) |
2:09.406 |
| 10. |
Ryder DiFrancesco |
(Kaw) |
2:09.692 |
