JETT LAWRENCE - GRIT 241 450SX

GRIT-241 | 450 SX

Honda's Jett Lawrence would have a point to prove as action began on Saturday. The sensational rider from Australia had been spectacular thus far in the series, and continued aboard the streak of excellent performances following a brilliant run in qualification. He executed each section with perfect timing, and carried a sense of self belief into the second heat of the evening that would have him just behind Jason Anderson when working his way through the opening corner. Alongside Cooper Webb as well, the action within the first four riders (including Malcolm Stewart) was some of the most intense we'd seen in a while...but Lawrence was steady, and continued to aim for the Kawasaki who was ahead after being solidified in the runner up position. Though it quickly appeared as if a disastrous scenario were now on its way, as Lawrence over-jumped a double into a forthcoming left-handed...colliding into Anderson, with the veteran then looking back! However, both riders were able to stay upright. It had to be noted though, that Lawrence would double the "SX" triple thereafter along with a series of other rhythm combinations...appearing as if he'd lost a sense of focus too. Sliding as far back as third, while battling with Malcolm Stewart, he would then leap into a hard-charging mindset yet again and pass both Stewart and Anderson in one corner before the conclusion of lap six! It was a brilliant inside line that cut off both opponents, though Stewart wasn't going away that easy - and proceeded to retake the lead after gaining tremendous amounts of time in the sand. But Lawrence remained steady, and displayed his true sense of elite level aptitude...making a definitive pass with two full circuits left to be completed, before eventually taking the win. The finalé, at first, couldn't have gone any better for the Honda athlete...as a brilliant starting sequence would propel him to the front of the field. After establishing a multi-second gap over the rest of the field (with Cooper Webb, second), Jett seemed to be in complete control of this round seven narrative. Ruts were sped through with perfection, while leaping into the whoops of the double beforehand with fluidity...piecing the puzzle of a layout together with perfect marksmanship. That was, until an off-balance leap amongst a tripling combination in one of the longest rhythm lanes on the track, would have him clipping the tuff-block(s)! The mistake on the outer boundary of the course on circuit number twenty-four, would be devastating...forcing Jett to second, where he then attempted to catch Cooper Webb once more in the final stages. Though clipping the rear wheel of Vince Friese when exiting the whoop section put Lawrence to the ground once more! Deterring his once winning aspirations, to a fourth-place finish at the final flag!

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