Young Australian and 450 AMA supercross rookie Jett Lawrence, with huge pressure to perform, just did what he always does in tough situations and blasted past the legend, Eli Tomac and just rode away with the victory. 

Starting right next to the tough Cooper Webb and Lawrence went into the first corner in second place behind Eli Tomac, and then made a mistake and Ken Roczen passed him, because Roczen went out with a bike issue and Lawrence went after Tomac in the lead.

Sure enough, the young Australian caught and passed Tomac and then just took off. A typical statement again, just as he had done so often this year, his rookie season in the 450 supercross championship. He sat down with the World media, and this is what he told us.

MXLarge: The whole day you looked good, and it was a hard track, but you pulled it off, a great start, but not a holeshot. Can you tell us about it?

Lawrence: Ever since the first session I felt I had a good flow with the track. Obviously, the dirt I would have liked a little more tack, but the bikes been handily great, and I have been feeling good the last few weeks. I haven’t been putting myself in good positions. In the main, I got a good start, I was up there and then Kenny passed me, not good to see him go down with that bike issue. It is never a good one to see. I tried to stay as consistent as I possibly could with this track, because you couldn’t really force the issue too much on this dirt, because it could catch you. I ended up, bit by bit closing in on Eli. We got in amongst the lappers and I ended up capitalizing in the sand with some yellow flags. I was able to get going and keep that flow going and again, I felt good all day and it was good to get those good laps in.

MXLarge: You were going sometimes a second and a half quicker than the other guys coming through the pack. Was there something you were doing different?

Lawrence: I don’t think so. With these types of tracks putting a lap together makes a big difference. If you push the front a little bit and try and stab it with the gas, you can spin the rear and lose so much more time. I was getting a pretty good flow and had a good rhythm and kept hitting my marks. Felt good all the way.

MXlarge: Once you got to the lead, did you change our riding at all?

Lawrence: The first few laps is always pretty hectic in the sand section because there isn’t a line, well, there kind of was the outside, outside. Obviously, you don’t want to follow there, because the roost goes straight into your eyes and it kind of blocks you, so you try and take different lines. We had a few hectic moments for a couple of laps, but then we were able to get a rhythm through it and keep it in that mark.

MXLarge: Tell us about the start?

Lawrence: Well, in the heat, Tomac had a good start and I thought I had an awesome jump too, but obviously, Eli had the better entrance coming in, being out wide and being able to swoop in. I was able to execute that turn (in the main) better than in the heat race and I thought I could tuck around, but it was a clear holeshot for Eli in that one.

MXLarge: Those opening laps very explosive, was that from last week, where you know you had to be at the front early. Was that something you learnt last week?

Lawrence: Yes, I mean, those opening laps, getting a good start helps and last week, me starting 14^th or 15^th, which doesn’t help when the guy you are competing against get the holeshot or is up front. Those explosives (moments) are a little sketchy, for sure, and luckily, we were able to save some of those moments. It was more important to get that good start and see those guys. That was a big plus for me.