Hear Hunter’s Lawrence’s words from the post-race press conference at the Southwick round of AMA Pro Motocross. He discusses the challenges in overcoming his phenomenal brother Jett Lawrence, his season thus far and Jorge Prado’s challenging start to the series.
On Jett
“That’s the very question on everyone’s mind. Maybe it’s 2%, 5%, 10% – not sure. We’re all at a high level. In the first moto, Jet got a little gap early. In the second moto, Eli got around me after a few corners and I lost the tow. I just needed to be better in those opening laps.”
Areas to improve
“I wouldn’t say he’s always been getting me on the starts. I know I whoop him during the week at starts. I actually feel like, in the first few rounds, I was starting in front of him. But it was just those first few laps where he’d get past me in the next corner or something like that. Obviously, in those early rounds, we were working through some bike stuff, and I just wasn’t willing to push to that limit or send it in those first few laps. Honestly, that’s what you have to do – it’s an all-out sprint in the beginning. There are things you have to do that you might not want to – like take a certain line at a certain pace where you’re basically holding on for dear life and hoping it works out.
“That takes a lot of confidence in the bike, and we’re in a much better position now. For me, I’m the kind of guy who needs to get the time under my belt. I can’t just snap my fingers and say, ‘Yeah, I’m going to do this’ and then wake up the next day and make it happen. I need to log the laps, log the time, and work at it.”
Prado
“I think the biggest thing people can take from that is that coming over for just one race from overseas, flying in and flying out, is a lot easier than fully committing and moving here. When you’re fully committed, you’re dealing with the heat during the week, unfamiliar foods, travel – just all kinds of stuff you’re not used to. It really puts you out of your comfort zone.
“He’s been vocal about not being happy with the bike, and I’m sure the team is doing everything they can to help with that. I’d like to think he’s going to get better. He’s a four-time world champ, so I don’t think the results have been what anyone expected – him included. But he’s just going to keep working like the rest of us out here, keep grinding, and try to be better. It’s tough, you know. Obviously, you see it – he’s not the only champion who’s moved over from Europe to come here and chase the dream. And dude, it’s tough.”
Image: HRC
