Image: Octopi Media.

Australian Jett Lawrence has become the first rookie in history to win on debut in the premier class of Monster Energy Supercross, the Team Honda HRC rider going wire-to-wire in tonight’s Anaheim 450SX main event as RJ Hampshire won 250SX West.

It was Lawrence who took the holeshot and maintained control from there on his way to a 7.188s win, however, both Jason Anderson (Monster Energy Kawasaki) and Cooper Webb (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) both kept him in sight early on.

It was Anderson who held strong for the runner-up result on the new KX450, after Webb crashed while challenging him for position. That elevated defending champion Chase Sexton onto the podium, clear of Red Bull KTM teammate Aaron Plessinger in P4 and Dylan Ferrandis (Phoenix Racing Honda) in fifth.

Places six through 10 were filled by a resurgent Webb after remounting, Justin Barcia (TLD Red Bull GasGas), Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper following a late move on teammate Eli Tomac upon return, and Ken Roczen (Progressive Ecstar Suzuki) despite going down on the opening lap.

Of note, MXGP champion Jorge Prado’s first Supercross appearance with Red Bull GasGas resulted in a 13th-place finish, giving him something to build on in the coming weeks.

In addition, the premier class debut of Hunter Lawrence didn’t go to plan, crashing in the first turn of his heat and then being unable to transfer via the last chance qualifier into the main event.

Image: Octopi Media.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Hampshire has opened the 2024 Monster Energy Supercross Championship with a commanding victory in the 250SX West main event at Anaheim 1.

It was rookie standout Julien Beaumer (Red Bull KTM) who took the holeshot and immediately came under attack from fast-qualifier Levi Kitchen (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki).

The pair went back and forth through the opening turns, before Beaumer successfully defended his lead, and on lap two Hampshire made his way by Kitchen for P2. He used the same method at the end of the first set of whoops on Beaumer a lap later to take control of the lead.

From there, Hampshire continued to stretch his advantage and that’s where he would remain for a 3.138s victory to open the season ahead of Jordon Smith (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) and Kitchen, who managed to get the better of a fast-finishing Jo Shimoda (Team Honda HRC) and Vohland – the trio finishing in that order.

Beaumer, meanwhile, dropped to sixth position after being caught up in the chaos mid-race, followed by Garrett Marchbanks (Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha), Mitchell Oldenburg (MotoConcepts Honda) after being caught up in the gates, Ryder DiFrancesco (TLD Red Bull GasGas) and Carson Mumford (MotoConcepts Honda).

Misfortune struck Nate Thrasher (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) in the middle of the race, going down on lap eight. As well, Phil Nicoletti (Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha) was unable to start after his bike encountered a mechanical on the sighting lap.

Image: Octopi Media.

Detailed results