Made it to Millville! Round seven of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship is going down today at Spring Creek Motocross Park in Millville, Minnesota. Lots to talk about as Jett Lawrence continues to hold a perfect win streak in the 450’s while Haiden Deegan carries the red plate for the first time in the 250MX class.
450MX
Moto 1
Even with Jett Lawrence taking the win in moto one, it was still a nail-biter. Jett took over the lead from Adam Cianciarulo on lap one and then proceeded to lead every lap of the race. But Chase Sexton kept things close.
Sexton fell in the early stages of the moto but then dropped the hammer as he charged back to the rear wheel of Lawrence. The two teammates matched their lap times for nearly half of the race but Sexton never managed to make a pass stick. Once they got into lapped riders Lawrence was able to open up a gap before Sexton fell again on the final lap. Results may not show it, but these two were close like the opening round at Pala.
Jason Anderson came out third after battling the entire moto with Aaron Plessinger and Dylan Ferrandis. This is a huge rebound for Anderson as he struggled in the sand of Southwick just a week ago. Ferrandis spun out on the final lap to lock in the running order at the finish.
Moto 2
It looked to be another big battle in moto two with Chase Sexton getting the start on Jett Lawrence. But in turn two, Sexton spun the rear wheel too much and allowed Lawrence to slip through. The two stayed close for the for the first half of the moto until Sexton fell again on the start straight by losing the front end in the soft outside fluff. After Sexton’s crash it was another runaway from Lawrence as Jett led every lap en route to his 14th moto win. Sexton claimed second.
Dylan Ferrandis battled the entire moto with KTM’s Aaron Plessinger in a tooth-and-nail fight for the full 30-minute moto. Their battle determined the last spot on the overall podium. Ferrandis fended off every attack from Plessinger and used 5-3 scores to take third overall. Plessinger’s 4-4 gave him another consistent fourth overall.
450MX Overall Results (Top 10)
| 1. | Jett Lawrence | (Hon) | 1-1 |
| 2. | Chase Sexton | (Hon) | 2-2 |
| 3. | Dylan Ferrandis | (Yam) | 5-3 |
| 4. | Aaron Plessinger | (KTM) | 4-4 |
| 5. | Adam Cianciarulo | (Kaw) | 7-5 |
| 6. | Ty Masterpool | (Kaw) | 8-6 |
| 7. | Garrett Marchbanks | (Yam) | 6-8 |
| 8. | Grant Harlan | (Yam) | 9-7 |
| 9. | Frederik Noren | (Suz) | 10-9 |
| 10. | Jason Anderson | (Kaw) | 3-38 |
250MX
Moto 1
The first 250 moto might’ve been the best one so far this season. Jo Shimoda rocketed off to a big holeshot and quickly checked out with the early lead. Shimoda led nearly every lap of the moto but was eventually run down by Hunter Lawrence.
The two went at it for a number of laps late in the race with Lawrence making the pass with just two laps left. It was a great battle and set the stage for the second round of motos.
RJ Hampshire held on for third in the moto. He didn’t get the best start but fought his way up through out the moto. It seemed like Hampshire was in a battle for the entire race but his determination paid off with a podium finish.
Justin Cooper and points leader, Haiden Deegan, finished fourth and fifth.
Moto 2
Hunter Lawrence picked up right where he left off in the second 250 moto. A big holeshot showed his dominance as he took off to the early lead. It looked to be a perfect 1-1 day for the 96, but he later tangled with a lapper on the final lap which dropped him to second. Still, his 1-2 finishes were enough to take the overall win and the points lead. Lawrence now leads Deegan by 13 in the standings.
Justin Cooper claimed the win in moto two. He battled into podium position early in the race and then trailed Lawrence for the whole moto. Cooper stayed in it to win it and was within striking distance when Lawrence fell on the final lap. Cooper’s 4-1 gave him second overall.
Jo Shimoda fought hard for the final spot on the box. After a slow start in fifth he pushed past his Pro Circuit Kawasaki teammate, Ryder Difrancesco, for fourth and later Levi Kitchen to secure third. He was too far behind the leaders for most of the race, until Lawrence fell on the last lap. Shimoda managed to get close but still crossed third. 2-3 earned Shimoda third overall.
250MX Overall Results (Top 10)
| 1. | Hunter Lawrence | (Hon) | 1-2 |
| 2. | Justin Cooper | (Yam) | 4-1 |
| 3. | Jo Shimoda | (Kaw) | 2-3 |
| 4. | RJ Hampshire | (Hus) | 3-6 |
| 5. | Levi Kitchen | (Yam) | 7-4 |
| 6. | Tom Vialle | (KTM) | 6-5 |
| 7. | Haiden Deegan | (Yam) | 5-8 |
| 8. | Max Vohland | (KTM) | 10-7 |
| 9. | Austin Forkner | (Kaw) | 11-9 |
| 10. | Jalek Swoll | (Hus) | 8-14 |
HIGHLIGHTS
QUALIFYING
450MX
Jett Lawrence does it again as he set the best time in both 450MX qualifying session. His time was four seconds faster than anyone in the first timed session, and then one second better in the final session. Jett was the only rider to clock a sub-two minute lap time. Chase Sexton picked up the pace in session two and ran Jett’s pace with a time right on the 2:00 mark as well. He logged second, still three seconds better than third place, Cianciarulo.
450MX Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. | Jett Lawrence | (Hon) | 1:59.716 |
| 2. | Chase Sexton | (Hon) | 2:00.938 |
| 3. | Adam Cianciarulo | (Kaw) | 2:03.010 |
| 4. | Jason Anderson | (Kaw) | 2:03.034 |
| 5. | Dylan Ferrandis | (Yam) | 2:03.784 |
| 6. | Ty Masterpool | (Kaw) | 2:04.655 |
| 7. | Aaron Plessinger | (KTM) | 2:05.099 |
| 8. | Jerry Robin | (Yam) | 2:05.733 |
| 9. | Derek Drake | (Suz) | 2:06.176 |
| 10. | Garrett Marchbanks | (Yam) | 2:06.248 |
250MX
Hunter Lawrence has a point to prove in the 250 class. After two disasterous weekends, he came out swinging with the best time in qualifying, nearly two seconds up on second place. Justin Cooper put in a good time for second but hit the deck hard later in the session. Seth Hammaker looked good for third overall. Last week’s winner, Tom Vialle, ran fourth while points leader Haiden Deegan clocked the eighth best time.
250MX Combined Qualifying (Top 10)
| 1. | Hunter Lawrence | (Hon) | 2:02.392 |
| 2. | Justin Cooper | (Yam) | 2:04.076 |
| 3. | Seth Hammaker | (Kaw) | 2:04.787 |
| 4. | Tom Vialle | (KTM) | 2:05.019 |
| 5. | Maximus Vohland | (KTM) | 2:05.106 |
| 6. | Jo Shimoda | (Hon) | 2:05.328 |
| 7. | RJ Hampshire | (Hus) | 2:05.434 |
| 8. | Haiden Deegan | (Yam) | 2:05.628 |
| 9. | Pierce Brown | (GG) | 2:06.218 |
| 10. | Ryder DiFrancesco | (Kaw) | 2:06.370 |
