The reasons Hunter Lawrence is a 450 title threat
There’s an air of belief surrounding Hunter Lawrence entering the upcoming Monster Energy Supercross season, built during what was a standout first year in the premier class, and it’s a factor that could see him surge into title contention in 2025. It’s now proven that the elder Lawrence brother belongs as a title threat in the 450 division.
Four years Jett’s senior, it seems only a matter of time until 25-year-old Hunter—the 2023 250SX East champion—places himself in the hunt for that elusive 450SX crown. He already finished second in 450MX and again in 450SMX on debut after tying on points with his sibling, which was an important result in the lucrative postseason series.
After failing to qualify at Anaheim 1 almost 12 months ago, the fact that the wise, relatively young Australian managed to claw his way back into that position by the conclusion of the playoffs displayed how he managed to work out the big leagues over the course of the season. Most recently he won the AUSX Open to complete his 2024 commitments.
“I think one of the main things, which isn’t a huge thing, is just like the confidence: now I belong here, which is a big thing,” the elder brother Lawrence stated. “You know, when you come up, you’re like, ‘Yeah, I belong here,’ but maybe you don’t fully believe it, and you’ve gotta go out and prove yourself, right?
“Like, I’m a very realistic person, and I can’t be like, ‘Yeah, I belong here,’ if I don’t have the facts and the results to back it up, so just stacking up all those results last year gives me a stronger belief and a knowledge of, yeah, this is where I’m meant to be.”
Lawrence was ranked ninth in Supercross before improving to second in Pro Motocross, which he then carried into the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) Finals. A first overall victory on the 450 in Texas saw him then wear the red plate, and although he wasn’t able to maintain it for the ultimate payday, his incline was one that made an impact when the final checkered flag flew.
“Looking back at this past season, I saw my inconsistencies and stuff; I started off the season a little slow,” Hunter added. “So, I definitely want to be that consistent top-three guy every weekend. That’s the goal, and we’re going to do everything we can.”
And what is it then, that makes Jett a 450MX (2023), 450SX (2024), and two-time 450SMX (2023-2024) champion already? Especially in a category that traditionally can take multiple years to achieve that kind of success for even the sport’s most decorated champions.
“Yeah, little things, but it’s probably not what you’d expect,” Hunter explained, referring to the differences between himself and his younger brother. “It’s just little, simple things about maybe a body position angle or something that’s mind’s a smidge different, you know, but to the untrained eye, looks identical—little things like that.
“It’s not what I’m exposed to with him every single day and stuff. It isn’t always the things that, maybe, what people at home are thinking and what they’re seeing, so yeah, just little, little bits and pieces here and there. Like, you’d be surprised how small the differences are.”
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