Currently second in the standings and just eight points outside of the series lead, 450MX rookie Hunter Lawrence has been impressive in the early stages of the 2024 Pro Motocross Championship. After securing a place on the overall podium at both Fox Raceway and Hangtown – finishing second on both occasions – the talented Australian features in this Fast Thoughts interview.

Image: Octopi Media.

What it would’ve taken to win Hangtown…

Ultimately, I think just not being faster than Chase [Sexton] was where it got away from me. It was a tough day. Normally downhills are a bit of a strength for me, but I kind of sucked on them today to be honest. So yeah, it was a tough day. But we’ll go back and keep working – and the beautiful thing about this sport is – we get to line up and do it all again next weekend.

Expectations on yourself in the early stages of your rookie season in 450MX…

Like I’ve said before, everyone always asks where I expect to be. We all train to win, but unforeseen things can change your path. All that I can do is be the best Hunter Lawrence for 30 minutes and if it’s sixth, it’s sixth, or if it’s first, then it’s first. You just always keep going back to work. Chase went 1-1 today and I’m sure he’ll go back to work again this week. There’s not really any expectations.

Seeing your brother go down hard in front of you…

It obviously sucks. That’s my blood out there, and seeing him go down like that and then lay on the ground when you’re looking back, it’s shitty man. That’s my little brother, I’m a big brother first and you know, it sucks. It just sucks, dude.

Image: Octopi Media.

The track conditions at Hangtown…

It was different, but I think it was still gnarly. Just a different gnarly. A few years ago everyone was complaining because it felt like all the tracks were prepped the same, whether it was Thunder Valley, or all of them. We all ran a scoop tyre and it felt the same. So, I think it’s not bad to have a little bit different conditions. Look at the MXGP’s in Europe, there’s no two tracks that are the same.

The downhill section with the doubles…

The new track layout was pretty cool I thought, it kind of gave me Thunder Valley vibes a little bit. But yeah, those downhill doubles were pretty wild, you had to commit to them. You go downhill pretty fast on a 450, like a little bit faster than a 250. It gets pretty scary sometimes [laughs].