race recap
JETT LAWRENCE GRIT-223 450MX
June 14, 2023 · Jett Lawrence
JETT LAWRENCE | GRIT-223 | 450MX
The thought of a perfect season would certainly cross the mind of Jett Lawrence as moto's progressed throughout the 2023 season; especially after winning the first four victories in a dominating manner prior to embarking on the racecourse at Thunder Valley. But the Australian was aspiring for even more success as the green flag waved in Colorado, qualifying firstprior to claiming his position on the starting gate, despite overcoming a small hand injury of sorts (where he clipped a track maker). The injury didn't seem to hinder him as he sprinted from the starting gate with authority, sneaking around the middle to inside of turn number one with the lead and a clear track at his disposal. Lawrence was flawless on the first lap, and would establish a lead over Cooper Webb and Adam Cianciarulo quickly. This circuit was arguably one of the most rutted surfaces on the AMA tour (similar to Unadilla in certain aspects), which favored Jett's mistake-free riding style as he flowed from groove to groove. Regardless of which part of the racetrack he was on, Lawrence would flourish - building his gap from five, to ten, to over twenty-seconds for the majority of the moto. It was easy to sense that he was on another level (for the moment) and would cruise through the entirety of this roughly thirty-minute contest in the lead...taking the win with confidence, prior to embarking on the second moto. Though a bit of rain fall was just beginning to drizzle on the racing surface of Thunder Valley, Jett Lawrence (again) would propel from the gate with a slight edge over the rest of the field; rounding the first corner at the pinnacle of the pack, prior to establishing a lead over an array of opponents. His gap would amplify as laps progressed, with him appearing to be in total synchronization with the track beneath him as his wheel-set migrated from corner to corner. Through both uphills and downhills, Lawrence was demonstrating perfection; eliminating the idea of dabbing the foot, while keeping the bike lugging in a high gear and low RPM. It would be a rather uneventful moto on his behalf, where he would lengthen his lead to over fifteen-seconds at one point, over KTM's Aaron Plessinger. But many could sense that he was in cruise control as he swept through the final circuits of action, maintaining a steadied RPM while nearing the checkered flag. Eventually leading all fifteen laps in the process, the Australian would once more showcase a dominant stance of victory - winning the second moto, the overall, and keeping a commanding lead atop the championship standings!