Image: Octopi Media.

Outgoing champion Jett Lawrence has moved to explain his 11th-place result in the opening moto at the Ironman 450MX title decider, stating that ‘I have not ridden that bad in years’ after being affected by his troubled ankle injury throughout what was a perplexing finale.

Entering the final round facing a one-point deficit, Lawrence started slowly in moto one to complete the opening lap in 17th, while title-rival Hunter Lawrence (Honda HRC Progressive) was in 39th after an early crash with Haiden Deegan (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing).

The number one failed to capitalize, however, remaining outside the top 10 as Hunter made a pivotal pass for position on lap eight. He continued to climb to P8 in the moto, while Jett took the checkered flag in 11th – his lowest score of the season – placing him four points behind with one race to go.

Uncertainty surrounded Jett’s condition post-race, with Honda HRC Progressive issuing an update indicating that he had hyperextended his ankle early in the moto. Still, he improved to third in moto two, directly ahead of Hunter, who was able to clinch the title by two points.

“My day sucked, honestly,” recalled the 23-year-old, who was sixth overall. “I felt terrible in both motos, but in that first moto, I mean, I didn’t know that [Hunter] went down at first until I looked back on the start straight. I felt like I was riding so badly on the first few laps that I was like, ‘surely I’m close to 40th.’

“Then I saw him there and was like, ‘alright, I need to make sure he doesn’t catch me.’ But yeah, not an ideal day for sure… I wish I could’ve given a better self, but I pushed it a little too hard in practice with my foot, and then the first couple laps [of moto one] I tweaked it really badly.

“I tried to keep pushing, but it was pretty painful, so we just all-around kind of sucked today. I’ve been doing pretty well without hurting it, but today in qualifying it got ripped [back] three times – I’ve been able to ride with it all year and have good rounds, so it’s not really an excuse.

“I have not ridden that bad in years – I had that [‘sky shot’ moment], another moment in front of Hunter through the rollers, I had headshake multiple times in pit lane, I had so many moments that I can’t count all of them.”

Already a two-time 450MX champion, Jett entered Pro Motocross 2026 still recovering from a fractured talus and navicular sustained in a practice incident last December, and evidently had to manage the injury throughout the series. He earned overall victories at Hangtown, Thunder Valley, Southwick and Unadilla, while Hunter claimed six wins.

Under the circumstances, Jett remained satisfied with what he achieved throughout the season, while also adding insight into his upcoming Monster Energy SMX World Championship title defense.

“As a brother, I’m happy for ‘HJ’ for getting his first 450 title, and I’m happy with what I have done this outdoor season,” he added. “Everyone I raced this year, at the start of the year, I was watching them while I was sitting on the couch on a three-wheeler thing, trying to get around. No matter what my results were, because this injury was an unknown for me, I’m still happy.

“I’m even more stoked that I was able to be a pain in the ass for Hunter for this championship – I didn’t want him to get it easy. We’ll see [for the playoffs]… We’ll let you know on that, but as of right now we’re just going to enjoy this, enjoy it with my brother for doing something unreal, so I’ll focus on that first.”