MX Large

Sexton Sensational - A1

Jan 12

Race Report

Drama at A1 as Red Bull KTM factory rider Chase Sexton has won the main event in the 450 class and defending champion, Jett Lawrence crashed himself out of contention with a 12th place finish. Two veterans also on the podium, with Ken Roczen finishing second and Jason Anderson third.

Chase Sexton: I am still trying to process it. It feels good and cool to win A1, its a hypes race and I have been beaten by Ken and Jason at this race, but I had fun and it played in my favour. We had a lot of work in the off-season and its been good. I am not planning on settling any time soon and it wasn't a perfect race and things I can improve on and it was nice to feel the flow again and I haven't felt like this since outdoors and supercross in 2023. I mean, I knew where I was at, I knew I had good speed, but I am more mature now and I can run laps and not make mistakes. I had so much fun at the track tonight and knowing I wasn't comfortable last year and we have one race in and first time to win A1. Kenny and I, we have shared the podium many times and its unlike anything else. It was really special. I kind, or, at this points, I am 25 years old and this is my eight season, but you don't know until you get there and we made some good changes on Monday and Tuesday it felt really good. I think we are close to the speed part and consistency is way better than 2023, I felt good today and I think I can be faster and I stalled the bike twice tonight, so I need to fix that. I missed a rut and just stalled it and I did that in the heat race. I won the heat, won the main and its better than last year.

Main Event - 450

The drama began as quickly as turn one when Jett Lawrence hit a hay bale after being run off the track by Jason Anderson, and the Aussie started the main event in last place and a long way behind. Eli Tomac led, but then the two-time AMA supercross champion also crashed and was run over by Sexton, handing the lead to Jorge Prado, who was quickly passed by Jason Anderson. Tomac was last.

Anderson with the lead looked very strong with Prado, Sexton, Cooper, Roczen and Hunter Lawrence behind him. Webb was ninth, Plessinger 16th and Jett Lawrence into 18th place. Sexton passed Prado for second and Tomac was 20th.

Lawrence went down in the sand section and dropped back to last as Tomac moved into 17th place. Sexton and Anderson battled hard with Sexton getting the lead, but Anderson got him back. Roczen moved into third, place Prado fourth and Tomac was up to 15th place.

Sexton took the lead and the top ten was Sexton, Anderson, Roczen, Prado, Cooper, Hunter Lawrence, Webb, Barcia, Hill and Friese. Tomac was 13th and Jett Lawrence was 20th. Roczen moved past Anderson for second place and Sexton was three seconds ahead of Roczen.

Prado had Coooper and Hunter Lawrence on his back wheel, and both passed Prado, who was struggling to hold his position. Tomac and Jett Lawrence struggling to make ground. Webb moved past Cooper to move into sixth as Sexton was nearly five seconds ahead of the rest.

Roczen closed up on Sexton for the lead as the American stalled his bike, as Sexton made a small mistake, but Roczen looking like Kenny Roczen from a decade ago. Lawrence up to 18th place and Tomac into the top ten. Sexton moved a little away from Roczen, with a 1.5 second lead.

Hunter Lawrence crashed and dropped to 10th place and Eli Tomac into eight place. Jett Lawrence still struggling, but into 15th place. Sexton wins the main event, from Roczen and Anderson. The lead by Sexton was five seconds and this AMA championship is looking like its going to be a good one.

Full results Here

450 Main Event - Results

1. CHASE SEXTON

2. KEN ROCZEN

3. JASON ANDERSON

4. COOPER WEBB

5. ELI TOMAC

6. JUSTIN BARCIA

7. JUSTIN COOPER

8. JUSTIN HILL

9. AARON PLESSINGER

10. MALCOLM STEWART