Ryan Nitzen | August 17, 2024
Pro Motocross takes to Budds Creek for round 10, the penultimate round of racing in the 2024 campaign. There’s lots to talk about today including the possibility of champions being crowned, the return of both Eli Tomac and RJ Hampshire, and more. Scroll through to see today’s racing action.
450MX
Moto 1
Hunter Lawrence kicked things off with the holeshot in moto one but was nearly taken out after Justin Cooper collided with him mid-air going into turn two. Cooper hit the deck but somehow Lawrence stayed upright. Aaron Plessinger avoided the carnage and took over the lead thanks to a good start but was re-passed by Lawrence a few laps later. From there it was smooth sailing for Lawrence who again captured the moto one win.
Plessinger led the way early on in moto one. Photos: Brown Dog Wilson
Chase Sexton started back in eighth but found himself fighting for a podium position after the opening laps. Quick passes were key in this race and Sexton quickly found himself in second while tracking down Lawrence. Late in the race, Sexton pushed the front wheel in a rut which effectively ended his hopes for a moto victory.
Hunter Lawrence took over the lead and grabbed the win.
Aaron Plessinger put in another strong effort for third. The KTM rider found himself up front again this weekend but later settled for the last spot on the box after getting passed by Lawrence and Sexton.
Sexton tipped over but still took second.
Moto 2
Moto two looked like a carbon copy as once again Hunter Lawrence put his new ’25 CRF450R at the front of the field. He again put in a few strong sprint laps and opened up a good gap once Sexton fell from second.
Lawrence led again in moto two.
Lawrence put it on cruise control and was later caught as Sexton charged his way back from the fall. The points leader couldn’t be stopped and his ride from behind was one of the best we’ve seen this season. With 2-1 scores, Sexton claimed the overall win and is that much closer to wrapping up the title next weekend.
Sexton made the pass, claiming the win and the overall.
Plessinger held on for third again in moto two, taking a pair of thirds to third on the overall podium.
450MX Overall Results (Top 10)
| 1. |
Chase Sexton |
(KTM) |
2-1 |
| 2. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
1-2 |
| 3. |
Aaron Plessinger |
(KTM) |
3-3 |
| 4. |
Malcolm Stewart |
(Hus) |
6-5 |
| 5. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
5-6 |
| 6. |
Christian Craig |
(Hus) |
7-8 |
| 7. |
Eli Tomac |
(Yam) |
4-11 |
| 8. |
Broc Tickle |
(Kaw) |
9-10 |
| 9. |
Phil Nicoletti |
(Yam) |
8-12 |
| 10. |
Justin Cooper |
(Yam) |
20-4 |
250MX
Moto 1
Haiden Deegan absolutely dominated the first 250 moto of the day. The Star Racing Yamaha rider grabbed the ever-crucial holeshot and opened up a 25-second lead in the first few laps. With the championship in sight, no one could touch the #38. He did tip it over in the final few laps but never lost the lead and cruised it in for the victory and the title.
No one could stop Haiden Deegan in moto one.
Tom Vialle charged his way through the field to secure second at the line. The KTM rider found himself in a three-way battle with Levi Kitchen and Chance Hymas for most of the second half of the race. Hymas fell from second on the final lap which moved both Vialle and Kitchen onto the podium.
Vialle crossed second in moto one.
Moto 2
Levi Kitchen bounced back in moto two with a wire-to-wire win. After admitting to struggling with an illness, the Kawasaki rider put in a strong ride and fended off multiple attacks from Hymas late in the race. Kitchen kept it under control and crossed the line first, going 3-1 for the day’s overall. While he technically made up points on Deegan, the title was already mathematically decided.
Levi Kitchen went wire-to-wire in the second 250 moto.
Hymas kept Kitchen honest for the entirety of the second moto but was never able to make a pass happen. A second in moto two was still not good enough to get him on the overall podium after finishing eighth in moto one.
250 Podium.
Tom Vialle’s third place in moto two bumped him onto the podium. The KTM rider battled his way back from a bad start and got close to the front runners near the end of the moto. 2-3 scores earned him second overall.
Deegan wrapped up the title one round early.
250MX Overall Results (Top 10)
| 1. |
Levi Kitchen |
(Kaw) |
3-1 |
| 2. |
Tom Vialle |
(KTM) |
2-3 |
| 3. |
Haiden Deegan |
(Yam) |
1-10 |
| 4. |
Chance Hymas |
(Hon) |
8-2 |
| 5. |
Jalek Swoll |
(Tri) |
6-4 |
| 6. |
Julein Beaumer |
(KTM) |
4-7 |
| 7. |
Pierce Brown |
(GG) |
7-5 |
| 8. |
Jordon Smith |
(Yam) |
10-6 |
| 9. |
RJ Hampshire |
(Hus) |
9-8 |
| 10. |
Ty Masterpool |
(Kaw) |
11-9 |
Budds Creek Notes
- Eli Tomac returns to action today for his first round of Pro Motocross
- Chase Sexton has the possibility of winning the 450MX title one round early
- Haiden Deegan can win the 250MX championship if he finishes 50 points clear of second place
- RJ Hampshire makes his return to Pro Motocross after injuring his wrist at round one
- Brock Tickle is racing his second of two outdoors today with the Monster Energy Kawasaki team
- Dean Wilson lined up for round 10 to earn more SuperMotocross points
- Cooper Webb is out for Budds Creek after re-injuring his thumb at Unadilla
QUALIFYING
450MX
Chase Sexton continues to build after a dominant second moto at Unadilla. The points leader again set the fastest lap of the day, just two tenths better than Hunter Lawrence. Justin Cooper clocked third and was about a half-second back from Sexton’s time. Eli Tomac returns to action today and qualified fourth ahead of Jason Anderson in fifth.
Chase Sexton qualified first. Photos: Brown Dog Wilson
450MX Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
Chase Sexton |
(KTM) |
2:01.044 |
| 2. |
Hunter Lawrence |
(Hon) |
2:01.255 |
| 3. |
Justin Cooper |
(Yam) |
2:01.551 |
| 4. |
Eli Tomac |
(Yam) |
2:02.988 |
| 5. |
Jason Anderson |
(Kaw) |
2:03.267 |
| 6. |
Aaron Plessinger |
(KTM) |
2:03.552 |
| 7. |
Dylan Ferrandis |
(Hon) |
2:03.576 |
| 8. |
Malcolm Stewart |
(Hus) |
2:04.601 |
| 9. |
Christian Craig |
(Hus) |
2:05.639 |
| 10. |
Colt Nichols |
(Suz) |
2:07.057 |
250MX
Haiden Deegan is on the verge of winning his first 250 Pro Motocross championship and the Yamaha rider set the pace today with the fastest qualifying time at a 2:04. Ty Masterpool was just three tenths behind Deegan in second while RJ Hampshire made his return to the series with the third quickest lap. Tom Vialle and Max Anstie rounded out the top five.
Haiden Deegan was the fastest 250 rider.
250MX Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. |
Haiden Deegan |
(Yam) |
2:04.760 |
| 2. |
Ty Masterpool |
(Kaw) |
2:05.007 |
| 3. |
RJ Hampshire |
(Hus) |
2:05.247 |
| 4. |
Tom Vialle |
(KTM) |
2:05.733 |
| 5. |
Max Anstie |
(Yam) |
2:05.814 |
| 6. |
Jalek Swoll |
(Tri) |
2:07.066 |
| 7. |
Chance Hymas |
(Hon) |
2:07.201 |
| 8. |
Levi Kitchen |
(Kaw) |
2:07.440 |
| 9. |
Pierce Brown |
(GG) |
2:07.528 |
| 10. |
Jordon Smith |
(Yam) |
2:07.759 |
