JETT LAWRENCE

Another flawless performance was put forth by Honda’s Jett Lawrence in Denver, beginning with a tremendous showing in qualification. His mentality seemed to be at the highest level when the gate(s) fell for his heat race, too, where a swift move around Vince Friese in the opening corner immediately propelled him to the front of the pack. Once onto an open raceway, he paid no attention to opponents like Chase Sexton, and proceeded to cut through established ruts with the highest of technique while eyeing the eventual checkered flag at the conclusion of the contest. Receiving messages of composure and fluidity from his mechanic, there was little that could be thrown in Jett’s way that could possibly divert him from taking the checkered flag. And as all concluded for this divisional round, the heat race win would be granted to the Australian rider. A second place start to the main event, would have Jett just behind his brother Hunter, in the opening stages. He seemed patient at first...but as the halfway point approached, it was evident that Jett was searching for a way by. It was then, with nine minutes and forty-five seconds remaining on the clock, that Jett snuck to the inside of Hunter in the corner before the “SX” triple to claim the lead! It was then a matter of establishing a gap over the rest of his competitors, with racers like Jason Anderson beginning to march forward. As time transpired however, Lawrence appeared to be on “cruise control” per se. It appeared effortless for the Australian, taking a commanding gap over the field while flowing from corner to corner. Minutes continued to pass, and with occasional glances to his left and right (to monitor the opponents who trailed him), Lawrence appeared to judge how fast each portion of the track needed to be attacked. He was in his own realm — and fed off the applause from the crowd as scrubbed over the “SX triple, leaping through the accompanying rhythm lanes with perfect timing, despite the array of ruts that were now trenched amongst jump faces. The final laps of the main event were a breeze per se, for the red plate holder — doing everything he could, to amplify the margin over Cooper Webb with the series finalé just around the corner...and with the eventual earning of a race win as all ceased in Colorado, only the round of Salt Lake City would be next to conquer!