The rare inter-sibling match-up shaping 450MX

 Motoonline Competition Post: Kane Taylor

Lawrence brothers vying for the top position in the Pro Motocross Championship.

The inter-sibling rivalry we have at the top of the Pro Motocross Championship this year is about as rare as it gets, with brothers Jett and Hunter Lawrence holding positions one and two at the top of the premier class standings. Fierce competitors, while also maintaining a close-knit family, is a scenario that is not commonplace in elite sports, creating a unique dynamic in their careers.

First off, though they likely don’t care for the credit due to their humble approach, both parents Darren and Emma Lawrence deserve a lot of praise for having raised not only two phenomenal motorcycle riders, but two role model athletes who are a great inspiration for the next generation of talent.

Hunter and Jett carry themselves with class at all times, which, under the microscope of the entire sport and more at such relatively young ages, would be a very difficult thing to maintain, and is a testament to the genuineness of their character.

Beyond their behavior, it’s no stretch to say they are freaks when it comes to motocross and supercross, and although Hunter undoubtedly holds his own at the very front of the field, this point must be emphasized about the 2023 Pro Motocross 450MX Champion Jett, who currently stands in a league of his own.

Select people just find what they were destined to do in this life – think Tiger Woods with a golf club, or Max Verstappen with a race car – and it’s sufficient to say that Jett Lawrence was destined to race a dirt bike, there are no two ways about that. For whatever reason, the Australian has clicked into another gear over the last two 450MX rounds, showcasing a little more of what’s under the hood when it comes to potential pace that he has on demand.

He clicked off a 1-1 performance at Southwick, opening a 20-second deficit to Hunter in moto two, and RedBud’s race two charge is one to be studied for a long time, as the 21-year-old not only recovered from 18th to first but cruised to an eight-second win over Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper in the process.

Put simply, it’s pure domination at this point, and the days of Jett dangling a carrot for the rest of the field seem a thing of the past. Even if he was perfect on his way to the crown as a rookie two seasons ago.

Where does this leave Hunter, then? Honestly, the number 96 has been impressive in his own right this year, and if it weren’t for Jett, he’d be the series leader by almost 20 points over Cooper. He’s inched away from the likes of Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Aaron Plessinger to appear as the number two rider at this stage in the series.

The contenders – Hunter included – are keeping Jett in their sights, as they should, because they too are some of the very best riders in the world, although it’s looking like when the gates drop, reality sets in, and the number 18 drifts off into the distance at whatever pace and margin he feels necessary on a given weekend.

What perhaps is the case at the top echelons of any sport, an unwavering self-belief may be necessary from here on out, which likely runs in opposition with reality. It’s similar to how the great Australian Chad Reed never faltered in his desire to beat the Greatest of All Time, Ricky Carmichael, even though RC came out on top in the vast majority of their encounters.

It’s an admirable position and a difficult one at that, but what is the alternative? The current contenders are up against a generational talent who appears to have few – if any – weaknesses. And given the bond Hunter and Jett share as brothers, it no doubt adds another layer of complexity to the overall picture, but from a pure racer point of view, Hunter is adopting the same approach as reigning champion Chase Sexton, Plessinger, Tomac, or anyone else would, and that’s that he wants to knock Jett off the top spot.

“I’m getting sick of the number 18 up on the top step,” the elder Lawrence confessed after Southwick. “It’d be nice to try and nab that position from him one time soon. We’re all at such a high level now, which makes it tough, but the plan is to keep pushing forward.”

“First moto [at RedBud], there was a moment at the Talladega turn where I squared [Jett] up, and I was like, ‘I wonder if he could still win if I put him up into the VIP tent on the left’, but I pulled out of that one,” Hunter joked after the RedBud National. “But I thought that [move] could’ve made the race interesting… Kept it clean in the end, but it was good fun.”

The Jett Lawrence effect is a puzzle that continues to increase in complexity as his career develops, with a lot of people – myself included – forgetting that he is only in his first chapter of what is set to be a long, decorated career at the top of the sport. His skillset will further develop, as will he as a person, which is only going to result in increased form.

What is Hunter’s play in that case? The same as the others, and that’s to work at trying to solve the riddle, whilst maintaining the family connection, which seems to be unshakeable despite what happens on the race-track.

A footnote on how this connection can manifest itself on the circuit is when Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson knocked Hunter down at the Supercross Salt Lake City finale in 2024, where Jett retaliated moments after witnessing firsthand the incident. His commentary on the matter was proof that his response was no coincidence.

“I think he must’ve forgotten that there were two Lawrences out on the track,” responded Jett at that time.

It’s a unique arrangement, and one that we’ve not seen before with two siblings competing at the highest level of the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX), and perhaps being the main adversary of each other over the ensuing years. How will it unfold? The only way to find out is to keep watching the show.