June 9th 2024.
Over the weekend, motocross fans gathered at the Thunder Valley National for the 20th year in a row to witness two of the sport's most renowned stars put on a spectacular show. And they did not disappoint.
In the 450 class, Jett Lawrence and his brother Hunter Lawrence battled it out for the top spot, with Jett ultimately edging out his brother for the overall win. It was a close race, with Hunter taking the first moto and Jett coming in second, but in the second moto, the brothers switched places, giving Jett the overall win.
In the 250 class, 18-year-old rising star Haiden Deegan continued his winning streak by claiming his third overall win in as many races. Deegan dominated the first moto and finished second in the second moto, securing his spot on the podium.
For Jett Lawrence, the victory at Thunder Valley was a comeback after a crash at Hangtown last week. The defending 450 class series champion had won all 22 races in 2023, but the crash ended his 24-race win streak and left him with a cut on his leg and a sore shoulder. However, he persevered and was able to come out on top at Thunder Valley.
Jett Lawrence spoke about his determination after the crash, saying, "Going into the second moto, my legs were shot, so I had no legs at the start. I dug deep and just told myself to stay there. I was able to capitalize on a mistake by Hunter in one of the turns."
In the 450 class, Justin Cooper took the lead in both motos but eventually faded, coming in third in both races and securing third place overall.
In the 250 class, Deegan continued to dominate, passing Frenchman Tom Vialle in the first moto and holding on for the win. In the second moto, Deegan finished second to Chance Hymas while Vialle came in fourth.
With Deegan's win, he remains at the top of the 250 championship standings with a 23-point lead over Hymas. In the 450 class, Hunter Lawrence holds the top spot in the championship standings with 129 points, followed by Chase Sexton with 123 points and Jett Lawrence with 113 points.
Next week, the Pro Motocross Championship will make its fourth stop at High Point Raceway in Mount Morris, Pennsylvania.
While there were no Colorado riders in the 250 or 450 motos, Elizabeth resident Brett Stralo competed in the 250 consolation race. Although he finished 18th, for Stralo, the race was about more than just his results.
The 36-year-old races for the Veteran Motocross Foundation, an organization that uses motocross to empower veterans. Stralo, who served in the U.S. Army and completed two combat tours in Afghanistan, also started Warrior MX, a program that brings veterans to the track to be a part of his team on race day as a form of therapy.
Stralo explained, "My goal at this age is to make the fast 40 and to make the main, but every time I show up here and am able to give these veterans this experience and introduce them to this community, it's a win."
Stralo also shared how motocross has helped him cope with his transition to civilian life and his goal to prevent veteran suicides. This was his sixth time competing as a pro at the Thunder Valley National.
He said, "When I got on a dirt bike, I found myself realizing that everything kind of disappeared. I started releasing endorphins, started being able to smile again, started feeling good. I started sleeping again... There's no noise other than the motor, so you're able to focus on what's right in front of you. That's all that matters in those moments. It's like white noise, everything dissipates, and you get a great mental clarity. This sport has been incredibly therapeutic for everything I had been through in nine years of military service, and I wanted to do something with it for other veterans."
Eli Tomac, Colorado's most notable pro racer, did not compete on Saturday due to a thumb injury. The Cortez native is a three-time 450 class circuit champion and a 250 class champion in 2013.
In the end, it was a thrilling day of motocross at Thunder Valley, with top competitors showcasing their skills and determination. Fans can look forward to more exciting races as the Pro Motocross Championship continues next week.
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