Jett Lawrence rewrites history books in 450 Supercross debut

Jett Lawrence has become the first rookie to win his 450 Supercross debut after lighting the candles at a sold-out Anaheim 1.

Following his undefeated Pro Motocross season in 2023, the Honda HRC rider lined up on the AMA Supercross start line for the first time on a 450cc machine and won the main event ahead of Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson and new KTM recruit and reigning champ Chase Sexton.

The Australian young-gun has five AMA titles to his name and will be hoping to add a 450SX title to that list after this 17-round supercross series.

Also making his 450cc supercross debut was Hunter Lawrence, who was fresh off a 250cc title in the 2023 Pro Motocross series. However, it wasn’t a successful night for the older Lawrence brother as he ended up fifth in the Last Chance Qualifier and failed to make the main event.

Some other big names also failed to fire with the returning Eli Tomac finishing ninth aboard his Yamaha YZ450F and Germany’s Ken Roczen crossing the line in tenth on his Suzuki RM-Z450. And Spanish MXGP champion Jorge Prado (KTM) finished 13th in his AMA Supercross debut.

In the 250SX West class, RJ Hampshire piloted his Husqvarna FC 250 to victory ahead of Jordon Smith (Yamaha) and Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki). Highly touted Honda recruit, Jo Shimoda, finished fourth, with Maximus Vohland (Kawasaki) placing fifth.

Those hoping to see Triumph in action for the first time will have to wait until the 250SX East championship kicks off in Detroit on February 3.