Team Australia rider, Hunter Lawrence joined his brother as a moto winner today at the Ironman circuit as he led home fellow AMA and HRC rider, Jo Shimoda of Team Japan, with Calvin Vlaanderen from The Netherlands third.

Team Australia the top qualifier, with just two points, as they throw away the score of Webster. The Netherlands second best five points, with Belgium third best with six points. Germany also six and Team USA on seven points.

Hunter Lawrence: It was good, today was just get qualified and check that off the list and not go to the B Final. Just a great start and ride my own pace. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Open Qualifier

Lawrence led the Open qualifier from Guillod, Bonacorsi, Shimoda, Everts, Vlaanderen, Jonass, Kullas, Hampshire, and Renaux 10th. Hampshire into eight and Renaux passed Kullas. Lap two and Lawrence already with a 4.4 second lead.

Lap five and the lead by Lawrence was nearly 10 seconds over Shimoda, who had passed Guillod and Bonacorsi. The Italian was third as Vlaanderen passed Guillod and Hampshire was up to fifth place as he also passed Guillod. Everts was seventh, then Renaux, Jonass and Garcia. As always, not the deeping class at the Nations is the Open class.

Cruise control for Lawrence as he wins it easily from Shimoda and Vlaanderen.

Qualifying Heat Open - Classification

1. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Honda), 24:36.503; 2. Jo Shimoda (JPN, Honda), +0:08.266; 3. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:14.614; 4. RJ Hampshire (USA, Husqvarna), +0:18.703; 5. Liam Everts (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:22.012; 6. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Fantic), +0:26.542; 7. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:28.526; 8. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Yamaha), +0:35.766; 9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Kawasaki), +0:39.062; 10. Francisco Garcia (ESP, Kawasaki), +0:42.545; 11. Jan Pancar (SLO, KTM), +0:43.103; 12. Harri Kullas (EST, Yamaha), +0:46.243; 13. Hakon Fredriksen (NOR, Yamaha), +0:58.290; 14. Lorenzo Locurcio (VEN, GASGAS), +1:00.098; 15. Alvin Östlund (SWE, Triumph), +1:02.864; 16. Conrad Mewse (GBR, Honda), +1:06.004; 17. Marcel Stauffer (AUT, KTM), +1:12.713; 18. Fabio Santos (BRA, Yamaha), +1:24.137; 19. Cameron Anthony Durow (RSA, KTM), +1:28.292; 20. Mads Fredsoe (DEN, Husqvarna), +1:31.788; 21. Maximilian Spies (GER, KTM), +1:37.643; 22. Hardy Munoz (CHI, Yamaha), +1:43.804; 23. Tanner Ward (CAN, GASGAS), +1:51.887; 24. Kasimir Hindersson (FIN, KTM), +2:17.862; 25. Marco Antezana (CLAT, Honda), -1 lap(s); 26. German Bratschi (URU, KTM), -1 lap(s); 27. Stuart Edmonds (IRL, TM), -1 lap(s); 28. Agustin Poli (ARG, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 29. Jose Pablo Chaves (CRC, GASGAS), -1 lap(s); 30. Ben Almagor (ISR, KTM), -1 lap(s); 31. Elies Poget (MAR, KTM), -1 lap(s); 32. Eidur Orri Palmarsson (ISL, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 33. Jorge Israel Rubalcava (MEX, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 34. Jiraj Wannalak (CASI, Honda), -1 lap(s); 35. Fabio Jose Hernandez Zelaya (HON, KTM), -2 lap(s); 36. Rodny Gonzalez (PUR, Kawasaki), -2 lap(s); 37. Petro Zavorytskyi (UKR, KTM), -3 lap(s);