HRC factory rider and defending AMA 450 motocross champion, Jett Lawrence has won the opening 450 moto in Thunder Valley today, beating MXGP hero, Lucas Coenen and Hunter Lawrence in third place.

Haiden Deegan had finished fourth in the moto, but was penalized several places for constantly cutting the track. Sensational ride by Coenen, who was at one point nearly 10 seconds off Jett early in the race and got as close as two seconds behind in the final laps.

Geoff Meyer report and Davey Coombs image

Jett Lawrence: Surprising that one, the problem wasn't my foot, just didn't havea flow and couldn't do anything with people close. Lucas was coming hot at the end, but we got it done.

Lucas Coenen: I didn't know what to expect and I had a bad start and the guys were gone and somehow I got into second and I look forward to the second moto and hope I get a better start.

Hunter Lawrence: I lost the rear, it stepped out and I got up and my bars were bent and I almost crashed again. Go back, regroup and go for the second one.

Haiden Deegan: I got to Jett rear wheel and I got cross jumped and then I made a mistake. He knows I am coming, he was looking back.

450 Moto One

Jett Lawrence led the opening 450 moto, followed by Webb, Hunter Lawrence, Ferrandis, Plessinger, Deegan, Coenen, Prado, Marchbanks, and Tondel 10th. Prado back to ninth. Deegan into third and Coenen sixth.

Hunter all over Jett for the lead and Deegan losing a little ground as Coenen moved into fifth place behind Webb. Coenen already 5.7 back in fifth and Prado into sixth place behind Coenen. Hunter into the lead, but Jett repassed his brother and Deegan hanging with the two Aussies.

Coenen into fourth place and 6.7 behind the leader. Deegan on fire as he tries to get to the front and Coenen 7.4 back in fourth place. Deegan into second place and onto Jett and the lead. Deegan looking a little wild but still hanging with Jett Lawrence for the lead.

Coenen 8.4 seconds back and Prado 16.7 back and its clear who the best European in the world is at this point and it’s the 19-year-old Belgian. Jett slowly getting away from Deegan and Hunter 2.6 back in third place.

Hunter all over Deegan, who made a mistake and Coenen still 8.7 back. Coenen not losing ground on the leader, but also not making up any ground. Another mistake by Deegan as he ran off the track and nearly went down. Hunter again all over the American hero.

Deegan 2.6 seconds off Jett, with Hunter three seconds back and Coenen still around eight seconds off the leader. Coenen starting to close up on Hunter and Deegan, with just five seconds between those three. Prado 22 seconds off the pace and clearly not able to stick with Coenen.

Deegan again all over Jett, with lapped riders now getting involved. Coenen again making up ground as he was still five seconds off Hunter in third place. Coenen now 6.7 seconds off the leader and just four seconds off Hunter. Coenen on a roll and catching the top three.

Deegan went down and Coenen all over the American rider. Deegan another crash and Coenen into third place. 10 minutes to go and we all know in Europe that Coenen makes his charge with 10 minutes remaining. Coenen now 5.2 seconds off Jett Lawrence and then suddenly 4.7 seconds. Coenen 3.8 seconds off the leader and catching them quickly.

Coenen now 3.3 behind Jett and Hunter all over his brother for the lead. Deegan 14 seconds off the leader. Jett a mistake and Hunter really putting pressure on and Coenen now less than four seconds off the leaders. The Lawrence brothers keeping Coenen around four seconds off their lead.

Coenen backs it down as the two Aussies open the gap, but in the end it was Jett who controlled the race at his ease. A late mistake by Hunter Lawrence allowed Lucas Coenen into second, with Hunter third, with Deegan and Prado making up the top five. Deegan was later penalized 7 places for cutting the track on several occasions.

450 Moto One