Words: Simon Makker

With the first round of the 2022 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship complete, MotoOnline answers some of the key questions that emerged from Fox Raceway in this edition of Q&A.

Q: Is Eli Tomac in the frame?

A: After clinching the Monster Energy Supercross Championship, Eli Tomac revealed that he’d been battling a torn MCL in his knee that he sustained during a heated battle with Jason Anderson at Atlanta. His results from that moment took a notable dive as he went into championship conservation mode and, initially, it was uncertain as to whether he would line up for the opening Pro Motocross round. Not only did the Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing rider compete at Pala, but he was able to feature among the front-runners all day. His P4 result in the second moto and overall proved there’s nothing wrong with his fitness and strength, so as his knee continues to heal, his results will undoubtably improve.

Q: How good was Christian Craig’s podium?

A: Since Christian Craig stepped up to the 450 class outdoors, his results have been up and down. Flashes of brilliance were punctuated with frustrating crashes and injuries, and as a result, he’s never stood on a 450MX podium. That all changed on Saturday when he put in two incredibly solid, consistent rides to finish with a 3-3 results sheet and his best-ever Pro Motocross result. The Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing rider might have hit another level during the Supercross season by clinching the 250SX West crown, but it’s looking like he’s now bringing that same confidence and form into the premier class this summer.

Q: What did you thing of Tony Cairoli?

A: It’s doubtful there was a single motocross fan on Saturday who wasn’t keeping a close eye on nine-time world champion Tony Cairoli, to see how he’d fare against America’s best. The Italian legend has stepped out of retirement to race (at least) the first couple of rounds for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and, despite limited preparation and seat-time on a bike with a more flexible frame than what he’s used to, he qualified fifth-fastest, then finished the day seventh overall. A crash in the opening race saw him finish 10th, but a much better start in the second race saw him circulating as high as fourth early on, before conceding positions to Craig and Tomac, eventually finishing sixth. All eyes will be on him again this weekend at Hangtown to see if he can improve, then to hear if he’ll stay on to race more of the championship.

Q: Who will be strongest at Team Honda HRC?

A: Until 2022, it was reasonably well-acknowledged that Ken Roczen was the alpha at Team Honda HRC, with Chase Sexton being groomed as the heir to the throne. When Roczen sensationally pulled out of the Supercross championship, Sexton became the go-to rider and it seems the 22-year-old isn’t ready to rescind that label now that Roczen has returned to the start-line. Sexton went on the offensive in the opening moto at Fox Raceway, trading a little plastic with race leader Roczen midway through the race, before charging past and stretching out a 15-second win over his team-mate. In the second race, Sexton took the early advantage, but Roczen quickly struck and took over the lead during the opening lap. Sexton clung to Roczen’s rear wheel over the ensuing laps and was able to make a pass for the lead – and ultimately the win. The dynamic between the two Honda riders is something that will be intriguing to watch unfold this season, especially if they keep racing as hard and as fast as they did at Pala.

Q: Can anybody catch the Lawrences?

A: Much has been said about Team Honda HRC’s Jett and Hunter Lawrence, but the two brothers are living up to the hype. The Australian siblings completed the Fox Raceway opener with a dream 1-2 result in both races, with defending champion Jett taking a clean-sweep ahead of his older brother, Hunter (2-2). Jett led 26 of the 32 laps that the 250MX class completed after dispatching of Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing) in the opening race, then rookie Nick Romano (Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing) in the second encounter. Meanwhile, Hunter proved his prowess coming through traffic as he passed Seth Hammaker (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) and Cooper in the first race, then worked his way from P7 to P2 in the second moto. Like it or not, the Lawrences are quickly setting themselves up as the benchmark for the rest of the pack to rise up to.

Q: Does Ryan Dungey still have it?

A: Watching Ryan Dungey race at Pala was like taking a step back in time, with the pace, form and fitness he displayed at the 2022 Pro Motocross opener, you never would have guessed that he’d retired from professional racing five years ago. Red Bull KTM’s comeback king wasn’t just impressive at the start of the races, but from gate-drop to checkered flag, as he rode with his trademark consistency to two fifth-place results. Initially, Dungey was only scheduled to race the two opening rounds of the championship, but he later announced he intended to contest the entire series. If he can keep up the same intensity that he showed on Saturday, you can certainly expect him to find the podium this year. As far as racing comebacks go, they don’t get any more inspirational than Dungey’s Pala performance.

Q: Is Honda heading back towards its glory days?

A: The factory Honda team was once the most dominant force in American motocross, but since Ricky Carmichael’s perfect season on the way to the 2004 title, a 450 championship has proven elusive. If the opening round at Fox Raceway is any indication, the tide may finally be turning. Courtesy of Sexton, Roczen, Jett Lawrence and Hunter Lawrence, Team Honda HRC had a perfect weekend as they claimed the top two positions in both the 450MX and 250MX classes. It’s a remarkable feat and sets Honda up with a perfect platform to try and finally break its 450MX title drought. There’s obviously still a lot of racing to go over the remaining 11 rounds of Pro Motocross, but if the team’s performance at Fox Raceway is anything to go by, 2022 could be a standout year for Honda on top of what Jett Lawrence achieved in 250MX last season.