Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence reclaimed the 450 Pro Motocross Championship lead with his third overall victory of the season at the iconic RedBud National, while Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies continued his stunning rookie campaign with back-to-back 250 class victories.
Round 22 of the SMX World Championship produced another dramatic day of racing as thousands of fans packed RedBud to celebrate America’s Independence Day weekend.
Hunter Charges Back to the Top
The 450 class saw Honda’s Hunter Lawrence overcome adversity across both motos to secure the overall win with 2-1 finishes.
After narrowly missing victory in the opening moto following a late mistake while battling with brother Jett Lawrence, Hunter responded in style during Moto Two. Starting outside the top five, the Australian charged through the field before reeling in Jorge Prado, who had built a lead of almost ten seconds, to take a memorable victory.
Prado enjoyed his strongest outing since joining the Pro Motocross Championship, claiming both holeshots before finishing second overall with 3-2 moto scores, while defending champion Jett Lawrence completed the podium despite crashing twice in the second race.
The result sees Hunter move back to the top of the championship standings, holding a slim three-point advantage over Jett heading into next weekend’s Southwick National.
Hunter Lawrence said:
“[This win] is so good. It’s America’s 250th birthday and we’re so grateful for the opportunity we have here [in this country]. We’re living the American dream and couldn’t have this life anywhere else in the world. What a day.”
Jorge Prado said:
“It’s an awesome experience racing at RedBud. We used the week off to make some improvements on the bike and in the second moto I felt way more like myself. We led laps, we got the holeshot, and I’m really happy with the steps we’ve made. We’re coming.”
Jett Lawrence said:
“I doubled down [in Moto 2] with my terrible riding today. I made a decision with the team to go a certain way on the bike, and it didn’t work. Hunter is riding really well so we’ll go back to work and try to come out better at Southwick.”
450 Overall Results
Davies Continues Dream Rookie Season
In the 250 class, New Zealand’s Cole Davies became the first rider to win back-to-back overall victories this season after another composed performance for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing.
Davies claimed victory in the opening moto before finishing second to Jo Shimoda in Moto Two, with his 1-2 scorecard securing another overall win and strengthening his growing reputation as one of the sport’s brightest young stars.
Shimoda’s second overall finish proved equally significant, with the Japanese rider taking over the championship lead after a difficult day for former points leader Levi Kitchen.
Ryder DiFrancesco completed the podium to secure the first overall podium finish of his professional career.
Cole Davies said:
“Jo was riding good. It’s a long championship and we have a long way to go. It was a good day, and we got a win at RedBud. That’s all I can ask for. We’re in a really good spot with the bike right now so I’m really happy.”
Jo Shimoda said:
“The bike was better today. I felt good and didn’t get tired until the end [of Moto 2]. Every bit of it today was better. We’re making progress and that’s exactly what we need right now.”
Ryder DiFrancesco said:
“This [first podium] has been a long time coming. I was sitting in third [in the second moto] and was thinking I was the only American to get on the podium [on the Fourth of July]. This is what every motocross rider dreams of.”
Shimoda now heads to Southwick with a four-point championship lead over Davies, while Kitchen slips to third after finishing fifth overall at RedBud.
Attention now turns to The Wick 338 at Southwick, Massachusetts, next Saturday (11th July), where Round 23 of the SMX World Championship reaches the halfway stage of the Pro Motocross season
250 Overall Results
Images and Quotes by MX Sports Pro Racing INC
