Is Sexton Confused?

Deegan Humble after Hangtown

Haiden Deegan had RIP Jett on shirt at the Pala press conference but the Aussie super talent has come back to life pretty fast with a dominant 1-1 at Hangtown with Deegan starting behind Jett in moto one and eventually getting dropped then passed by Hunter and had Prado closing in late until the KTM rider’s engine went bang!

Deegan started tenth in race two and rode himself into third in another good ride, but he is still looking for the pace to win – so we asked him was he surprised at the pace of the Lawrence brothers when he started with them in moto one,

Deegan said: “Just keep building on these weekends. I think that’s the only way I can progress is if I’m up there every weekend, I’m getting some better starts or a little better today. At first, when I was a pretty good start, I was able to run with the boys and just kind of get that feel”.

They’re fast, so find their lines and see how they do it up there. And that’s kind of my thing right now. And just keep doing each weekend and hopefully keep on rolling in.”

We then asked if he is surprised at the level of speed at the front compared to what he was expecting…“No, it’s what I expected. It’s nothing surprising. I know these boys are quick, and I think it kind of goes back to the fact of just each weekend trying to close that gap. I get a whole lot better than Fox and just make baby steps and not ride over my head also, so I got to take that into account, and going back to kind of my 250 rookie season, I just kept building each weekend and was there for every race, and I feel like that’s my goal for this 450 season as well.”

Is the American looking forward to Lucas Coenen lining up this weekend? “I’m down to ride with anyone that’s cool, and those guys come over again and race. I feel like every GP guy is slowly making their way over here. I don’t know why that is. The money is better, but maybe I’ll just start to go over there and race those guys next, but I don’t know. I think the coolest one is if Herlings came over again and race, that would be sick”.

Ian Harrison with an update on Eli Tomac

The Lawrence Brother's Show at Hangtown!

One week after the season opener in Pala, the AMA Pro Motocross Championship has received a clear indication of its intentions. Jett Lawrence is back.

At the prestigious Hangtown Motocross Classic in Rancho Cordova, the Honda rider celebrated his first overall victory of the season, displaying the same dominance as in his prime. Two race wins, the fastest qualifying time, and a perfect points haul made it clear that the reigning Pro Motocross and SMX champion, despite his winter injury, once again poses a serious threat to all his title rivals.

Jett is in control of the situation

Lawrence made a statement right from qualifying. He was the only driver to break the 1:50 mark, clearly relegating rookie Haiden Deegan to second place.

In the first race, the Australian left no doubt about his dominance. After taking the holeshot, he controlled the race from the start and managed his lead confidently to the finish. Behind him, his brother Hunter Lawrence and Haiden Deegan battled for the remaining podium positions.

While Hunter overtook Deegan shortly before the end of the race, Jett drove towards an unchallenged race victory.

Even in the second race, there was ultimately no getting past the Honda star. Although a race stoppage followed by a restart added extra excitement, Lawrence once again took the lead early and prevailed against the strong competition.

The duel of the brothers

The second race proved particularly interesting. For much of the race, Hunter Lawrence seemed to be within striking distance of his brother. The championship leader repeatedly closed the gap and put Jett under pressure.

But it was precisely in this phase that the younger Lawrence showed his class.

“I knew that Hunter would be right there if I went all out from the start. That’s why I first found my rhythm and then later did a short sprint to disrupt his rhythm. That worked,” Jett explained after the race.

Within just a few laps, the gap grew from just under a second to several seconds. The race was decided. "It's harder to race against Jett than against anyone else. He's my toughest opponent," Hunter admitted afterward.

Deegan continues its advance

Even though victory remained out of reach, Haiden Deegan could be pleased with another strong weekend.

The Yamaha rider, in only his second Pro Motocross race in the 450cc class, once again stood on the podium and gained valuable experience against the established top riders. Notably, Deegan rode two almost identical races. With third-place finishes in both, he avoided mistakes and consistently collected points.

“I want to improve from weekend to weekend. That’s the goal. We’ll keep working and try again next week,” said the rookie.

With third place in the championship, Deegan is already in the middle of the title fight after two events.

Hunter remains top of the table

Despite the defeat against his brother, Hunter Lawrence was able to leave Hangtown with a positive feeling. Following his double victory in Pala, he now secured an equally convincing 2-2 result. This keeps the Honda rider leading the championship.

However, the lead has shrunk considerably. Only six points now separate the two brothers after two of eleven races. This sets up exactly the scenario many fans had hoped for: a direct title fight between Hunter and Jett Lawrence.

Title fight picks up speed

While Jett Lawrence celebrated his first victory of the year in Hangtown, the weekend also provided another insight: the Honda brothers currently appear to be the ones to beat in the 450cc class.

Behind them lurk drivers like Haiden Deegan, Chase Sexton and Jorge Prado, but in Rancho Cordova no one managed to keep up with the pace of the two Australians over the full race distance.

After two races, the season is still long. However, Hangtown has shown that the reigning champion has returned to where the competition least wanted to see him: right at the front.

Coenen Tops Latvia

Belgian sensation, Lucas Coenen has gone 1-1 today in Latvia, but the big news was another DNF for Jeffrey Herlings and the championship, although just in the eighth round, seems over for the Dutchman. The Belgian now has a huge points advantage and is showing no signs of losing his momentum. A 62-point lead for Coenen in the MXGP championship chase.

JP/KTM and Bavo Swijgers/Honda Images

It is also the first time in the history of the sport in Europe, that two brothers not only lead both MXGP and MX2 championships, but also both won a GP on the same weekend to extend their championship points lead (Pourcel brothers had won GPs on the same day, but not leading the championship). Similar to the Lawrence brothers in USA, these brilliant brothers keep entertaining the motocross world.

Of course, both Belgian brothers will get on a plane tomorrow and fly to Colorado in America to battle the best 450 and 250 riders in the third round of the AMA Nationals. While it will be a tough task for Coenen to win the 450 class, little brother Sasha must be a chance to battle for an overall win in the 250 class at Thunder Valley.

Lucas Coenen: Amazing. I was thinking about it, because he (Sasha) did it. The team worked their ass off and they did everything. Finally 1-1 and my brother also did it. I was super pumped. Now heading stateside. I mean moto one was crazy what happened, but they worked hard to fix it. The second moto I just wanted to do consistent laps and so amazing to see us win and my brother is dominant here. Looking forward to USA now.

Kay De Wolf: It was good riding in the first moto and the second I got pushed wide and made it hard on myself. Not the moto I hoped for, but in general a good weekend and we are happy and we keep working.

Romain Febvre: First moto I had a good start, but they were pushing on me and I lost the pace. Second moto I felt better, but they passed me straight away and then Jeffrey had an issue with the bike, but I was right behind him. I was thinking about the podium and good things for the championship.

MXGP Moto Two

Febvre with the lead in the second MXGP moto, with Coenen second, third Herlings, then Oliver, Jonass, Gajser, Adamo, Fernandez, de Wolf, and Renaux 10th. Coenen into the lead and Herlings also passed Febvre, with the Frenchman third, then his team-mate, Jonass fourth.

Coenen flying and Herlings all over him for the lead. You can see Herlings is desperate to stay with the Belgian kid. Coenen though on another level as he gets away from the Dutchman. Lap two the lead by Coenen was less than a second, with Febvre in third place some 3.5 back, then Jonass 6.5 back.

Five laps and Herlings still following Coenen and only a second between them, with Febvre 3.8 back, then came Jonass, Gajser, de Wolf, Adamo, Geerts, Pancar and Talviku. The 31-year-old really having to push hard to keep with Coenen and its gotta be taking it out of him.

De Wolf and Jonass in a great battle, with the Dutchman moving into fifth place and both chasing Gajser in fourth. The Slovenian some 11 seconds off the lead of Coenen. Coenen getting away from Herlings a little and no doubt this intense racing is easier if you are 19 years old than 31.

Coenen opens to a two second lead and Febvre closing up on Herlings, with Gajser several seconds back from the Frenchman. Herlings a good lap and closes up on Coenen a little. 13 minutes remaining and will we see a Herlings charge as he brings it down to 1.2 seconds.

Herlings all over Coenen and Febvre a similar distance back and maybe the new era takes on these two older, more experienced riders. Coenen again opens the distance a little, but this race is entering the 10 minutes to go time and this is often when Herlings can make progress.

Gotta give respect to Coenen, who despite the pressure from Herlings and Febvre just stays so cool and calm and no mistakes. De Wolf into fourth with a pass on Gajser and Febvre moved past Herlings and again Herlings with a moto problem. Out of the race is the Dutchman.

Coenen now four seconds ahead of Febvre, with de Wolf third, then Gajser, Jonass, Pancar, Adamo, Horgmo and Talviku. Coenen wins the moto, the GP and breaks the heart of five time world champion, Jeffrey Herlings.

Hangtown MX Advantage...Ask the Lawrence Boys!

This may be the most important product for success Saturday at Hangtown.

WHAT IS IT? Works Connection has been a market leader in holeshot devices since they came out with the Pro Launch in 2002. This is the second-gen Pro Launch, and it’s a must-have for serious motocross racers. This is the same device used by Star Racing Yamaha, HRC Honda, MotoConcepts Honda and the MXA wrecking crew. 

CONTACT? www.worksconnection.com or info@worksconnection.com.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with Works Connection’s Pro Launch device.

(1) History. The original starting device was invented back in 1979 by Husqvarna rider Arlo Englund. It was a simple trigger device, but Arlo only used it for one season. It wasn’t until 22 years later that Arlo’s idea was rediscovered at the Yamaha Grand Prix team that Chad Reed raced for in 2001. When Chad moved to America in 2002, he told Yamaha USA about the idea and Chad showed up at Anaheim 1 with the starting device (that Yamaha tried unsuccessfully to hide from prying eyes). From that time on, the holeshot device became the thing to have.

(2) System. Works Connection started out like everyone else with a spring-loaded device but soon replaced the old-fashioned spring and plunger with a magnetic locking system. This new design was more consistent and less likely to malfunction and catch mid-race because of the strong magnet. 

(3) Activation. Because of its lever-style mechanism and chamfered engagement point, the Pro Launch glides over the receiver on the way down and catches on the way up. Some riders can set the device by themselves, but most MXA test riders have a friend engage it for them. To set it, the rider has to hold the front brake on while he or his mechanic compress the fork by pushing down on the handlebars with a rocking motion. There is a learning curve to mastering it. 

(4) Installation. Works Connection provides an aluminum template with pre-drilled holes, plus three different paper templates in the shape of each brand’s fork guard to align the aluminum template at 90mm, 100mm and 110mm. Once you choose the location of the device, you tape the metal template to the fork guard and use the supplied drill bit to make the mounting hole. It’s easy.

(5) Consistency. Historically, starting devices have been difficult to set, disengaged unexpectedly, refused to disengage, or broke the fork guard off the bike. The new Pro Launch is a different story; it works consistently every time. Works Connection holeshot devices are bike and brand specific to ensure each model has a perfect fit. 

(6) Setting. MXA test riders typically run their Pro Launch devices at 100mm, which is in the middle of Works Connection’s recommended settings; however, tackier dirt behind the starting gate might require setting the device lower because of the increased traction on launch. In Supercross and MXGP races, where they use a metal starting grate, we’ve seen riders set the device as low as 160mm. 

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? No complaints. 

MXA RATING: Works Connection’s magnetic Pro Launch raised the bar far beyond the old-school button-style devices, and it continues set the bar for holeshot devices in motocross today.

Hangtown 2026 Pro Motocross 450

Hangtown 2026 Pro Motocross 250

Jett's Back!

Race One: Jett Lawrence got the holeshot and ran into the distance. Haiden Deegan was sitting second but had Hunter Lawrence for company, it took the Aussie about twenty minutes to make a move but one he did he pulled away. 

Jorge Prado then got the gap down to Deegan but with a couple of laps to go had a mechanical issue causing a DNF – a huge blow for his title hopes. 

Dylan Ferrandis had a great ride on the Ducati finishing in fourth ahead of RJ Hampshire. 

Mikkel Haarup was running in the top five after another good start before coming home in a solid seventh. 

Race Two: The Lawrence Brothers were right at the front of the pack, Jett was under pressure from Hunter but at around the mid-way point, he then pulled away and dominated the moto – very impressive. 

Deegan didn’t get the best of starts but worked his way through to third for his first podium. Chase Sexton ended up fourth on the Kawasaki ahead of his team mate, Marchbanks. 

Prado was outside the top thirty at the start after having a terrible gate pick after his first moto DNF. But he didn’t ride his best either as he got back to thirteenth behind Haarup and Guillod!

What makes Hangtown National so special

After the season opener in Pala, the AMA Pro Motocross Championship remains in California. For the second round of the season, however, the caravan moves approximately 800 kilometers further north to Rancho Cordova, where the Hangtown Motocross Classic, one of the most prestigious races in American motocross, is on the schedule.

While Pala is considered a modern season opener, Hangtown represents the roots of the sport. The event has existed since 1969, making it older than the Pro Motocross Championship itself. To this day, the race remains one of the most prestigious stops on the calendar.

A track that punishes mistakes

Winning Hangtown requires far more than just pure speed. The Prairie City SVRA track is one of the most classic natural circuits in the entire championship. Long climbs, challenging descents, off-camber corners, and deep ruts create a completely different race experience each year compared to the previous week in Pala.

Then there's the surface. The dry, hard Californian soil regularly develops into one of the most challenging surfaces of the season as the day progresses. Visibility problems, deep braking bumps, and changing lines are practically standard fare in Hangtown.

It is not uncommon for the wheat to be separated from the chaff early on.

Hunter Lawrence arrives with a tailwind.

In the 450cc class, the focus after the season opener is primarily on Hunter Lawrence.

The Honda rider surprised many observers with a dominant performance in Pala, securing his first 50 championship points of the year with two race wins. While Jett Lawrence, Jorge Prado, Eli Tomac, and rookie Haiden Deegan were frequently mentioned before the season started, it was Hunter who made the first statement of the new season.

The Australian is now traveling to Hangtown with the Red Plate.

But the competition should be warned. Jorge Prado showed in his strongest performance yet on American soil that he is becoming increasingly comfortable in the US series. The Spaniard even led a race at one point and appeared significantly closer to the front than during the Supercross season.

Jett Lawrence should also be significantly stronger a week after his comeback. The reigning champion is still struggling with the effects of his serious foot and ankle injury from the winter, but in Pala he already showed the fighting qualities that have made him so successful in recent years.

The first real fitness test

The weather forecast adds extra spice to the weekend. Temperatures well above 30 degrees Celsius could turn the Hangtown National into the first real heat battle of the season. Especially in the early stages of a championship, it often becomes clear which riders have best prepared.

For many teams, Hangtown is therefore traditionally considered one of the first real benchmarks of the year.

Surprise man Hammaker leads the MX2 class

Pala also produced an unexpected winner in the 250cc category. Seth Hammaker secured his first overall victory in the Pro Motocross Championship for Kawasaki and travels to Rancho Cordova with a 13-point lead. The key to his success was less about sheer speed and more about consistency across both races.

However, a whole host of drivers are waiting behind them for their chance.

Levi Kitchen already demonstrated his potential with a race win, while Yamaha riders Caden Dudney and Cole Davies secured podium finishes with strong performances. The competition at the top is fierce, meaning the standings could change completely after just the second race of the season.

Tradition meets title fight

The Hangtown National is a special race every year. Not only because of its history, but also because of the challenges the track presents to both rider and equipment.

Based on initial impressions from Pala, there are strong indications that the second round could provide some crucial answers. Can Hunter Lawrence maintain his dominance? Will Jorge Prado take the next step? How close is Jett Lawrence to returning to his best form despite his injury?

And in the 250cc class, it will become clear whether Seth Hammaker can defend his surprising lead in the standings or whether his pursuers are already striking back.

The season is still young. However, Hangtown has often proven that early trends for the further course of a championship can be identified here.