It’s virtually impossible to deny Jett Lawrence has become the man to beat in the 450cc class.
The 20-year-old proved himself time and time again over the summer, earning 22 straight moto wins on the way to winning the AMA Pro Motocross title. But while this is true, there are still “what ifs” that remain.
One rider who has toyed with the “what-if” scenario is Ken Roczen.
The German talent lined up at one round during the outdoor season — at High Point Raceway in Mount Morris, Pa., on June 17 — and provided perhaps the strongest challenge Lawrence saw all summer.
After setting the fast time in qualifying, Roczen became the first rider, other than Lawrence, to lead laps during a moto. The No. 94 Suzuki held off Lawrence’s No. 18 Honda for several laps in the first moto, with the two riders battling back and forth for the lead in both races.
Roczen ultimately finished second overall, while Lawrence won both motos.
Since showing the rookie a wheel in motocross, Roczen has made it clear Lawrence is not unbeatable — though he’s also given credit to the young Australian for his banner season.
“There’s a lot of really fast guys,” Roczen said. “Obviously he’s (Lawrence) going to be one of the top guys, but there’s a lot of good guys here. I think it’s really important to not focus on just one.”
The two riders once again found themselves in the spotlight following the second round of the SMX Finals at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., last Saturday night.
After Lawrence won the first moto, with Roczen finishing third, the two competitors ramped it up a notch in the final race of the night. They quickly separated themselves from the rest of the pack, with Roczen chasing Lawrence.
With less than a minute to go, as Roczen closed in on Lawrence’s rear wheel, the rookie pulled to the side of the track and waved the No. 94 past.
On the podium, Lawrence claimed his move was an attempt to lift Roczen’s position in the standings and bump points leader Chase Sexton down the order, as well as a “baby gift” to Roczen, who had his second child three days prior.
“When Kenny closed the gap, I was riding, but my mind was somewhere else thinking, trying to do math. Took two laps and was making sure, if I did let him pass, it wouldn’t affect my overall,” Lawrence said.
Roczen went on to score the moto win, while Lawrence kept control of the overall victory.
The Suzuki rider had a much-different perspective on the rookie’s “gift,” and pointed out during the post-race press conference that he was reeling in Lawrence at a rapid pace.
“I felt like this little ankle-biter Chihuahua that never let go,” Roczen said. He added, “I’m not quite out of the battle yet.”
The No. 94 finished second overall at Chicagoland, leaving him in the thick of the SMX championship conversation.
With one race to go — a triple-points round that pays 75 points to the winner, no less — Sexton maintains control of the standings with 90 points. Lawrence is second with 88 points, while Roczen is third with 80 points.
It’s essentially winner-take-all for any of the three riders during the final SMX round at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum on Saturday night. But there is one thing practically guaranteed.
There will be no wave-by’s with a $1 million-to-win championship on the line.
Note: Lawrence was dealt a written warning on Wednesday for failure to meet “Performance Obligation,” according to the SMX rulebook. “Performance Obligation” requires riders to “compete to the best of their capability” and includes a penalty if an athlete “deliberately manipulates, or attempts to influence, the final outcomes of the competition.”