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Denver - Rider Comments

Denver - Rider Comments

May 4

  • Interview

Hunter Lawrence took back momentum with a victory last weekend in Denver, but its still Ken Roczen with the championship red plate. Heading into the final round next weekend, its going to be whoever has his head in the right place.

Hunter Lawrence: “I honestly feel like those are my best days when I have to dig for it," Lawrence said in the postrace press conference. "The team, we work so well together, each session figuring out where we can be better. Every step of the way, working through it, and I really enjoy that kind of day. Yeah I love it. I’d rather be in this position now than I would have been what, seven points down if Kenny had won it," Lawrence continued. "Yeah this is my title to lose I feel like and I feel like under pressure I’ve been the best guy this year. Clutch up and try to make something happen. Go into Salt Lake City and have some fun. This is my first full 450 season and I feel like we’ve been racing for six months already!”

Ken Roczen: “I’m happy with it, honestly. I wasn’t quite that comfortable on the track all day. But then obviously, you know, when the racing, you know, you just you got to go.But I had to make a couple of passes. And once I got into second, I didn’t have enough speed to really have anything for Hunter. And I ended up just settling in just out of the way I felt on the track.And, you know, it was a tough main event anyways. The track was pretty beat up for how hard pack it was, it just was a tough track. it could bite you very easily. So I settled in for a second. And, you know, we have a one point difference now, it’s fun for me as well as a fan of the sport and everything comes down to Salt Lake. But yeah, there’s really not much to say. It’s all about next weekend’s race. I’m happy with tonight. It was what it was.

Eli Tomac: “I’m just glad to land on the podium for the Colorado fans. I was so bummed when I stalled in the sand. I was able to claw back and have some fun on this track. It was a good bounce back [from the miscue]. I’m just happy to be back for these last two rounds. I love being on the West Coast and we’ll try to go get another podium next week.”

Haiden Deegan: “I’ve got to get [more] 250 [class] wins and add it to the record books. That was a good race; a perfect start and led it [from the beginning]. I got up to about a six second gap and just tried to pace myself and put on a show for the Colorado fans.”

Levi Kitchen: “I’m actually really happy. Last week I hadn’t rode yet and I wasn’t sure if I was going to race. I had a really good week and I’m pumped [with this result]. I got up into second and just tried to put good laps in. The track was really difficult and could kind of bite you. I’m looking forward to finishing Supercross and heading outdoors.”

Ryder DiFrancesco: “It was a good night in Denver. The main goal these last couple of weeks is to get to P2 – obviously the championship is wrapped up, so second would be ideal. Tonight, once I got into third, there wasn't much more that I could do, so I just brought it home from there. It was a good night and now we'll go to Salt Lake, try to stack some points, and go for second in the championship."

Malcolm Stewart: “Every time we come to Denver, the track is tough. There was a lot going on in that race – you could've thrown a blanket over all of us! There was a lot of carnage, but at the end of the day, I guess Christmas came in May for me for a fourth! We've just got to continue moving forward. I struggled a little bit tonight and went to the LCQ, which I haven't been to in a minute, but we just tried to ride our race [in the Main Event] and get it done."

Jorge Prado: "I would say Denver was a pretty positive weekend for me – especially after a couple of tough weekends, it was nice to get back towards the front with a Heat Race win. I adapted to the track well for the night program, and small achievements like that Heat Race are a big confidence booster for me. And then in the Main Event, I got a good start and tried to race with the guys up front – their pace was a little stronger than mine, but I tried my best to hold on. I made a small mistake before the triple, which cost me, so I'd say 95 percent of the race was good, just that last five wasn't perfect. P6 for the night was decent and now we have one round to go."

Jordon Smith: "It was a much better day today! The position was not what we wanted, but we were in the battle all day. I felt a lot more comfortable and the TF 450-X was ripping off of the gate in elevation. We can build off of this, so we'll keep pushing."

Gage Linville: "The day was pretty good. I rode pretty well in my heat race, then rode in seventh for a little bit of the main event. I slipped back but regrouped to claim eleventh. It was a solid start, but I definitely want more."

Justin Barcia: I didn’t have the greatest of starts, but I fought hard in the first corner and rode some good laps in the beginning. It was cool to ride at that pace with the guys. The bike was working really good. After practice we made a huge change and the boys nailed it, the bike was working really good. The heat race showed it. In the main, I was great until about halfway and kind of hit a wall. I regrouped a little and there were a few guys in front of me and I tried to fight, but I got arm pump. Top 10 is good and I’m happy with it, I just know there is so much more in the tank.”

Dylan Ferrandis: “It was a really good moto, the bike was the best I have had this season. I ended up having a bad start, but I gave it everything I had and came from behind… I passed a bunch of guys. With Justin Cooper we were fighting for a position and came together in the sand. On paper it might not look like the best, but the feeling was awesome. I passed a lot of good guys, the bike was really, really good. Just need to stop making little mistakes.”

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