Image: Octopi Media.

Defending 450MX champion Jett Lawrence conceded ‘I’m just having to work twice as hard’ following a challenging outing at RedBud, with the demanding track conditions placing added strain on his ongoing foot injury.

Lawrence topped qualifying at round five before racing to a 1-5 scorecard for third overall. His second moto was hindered by two uncharacteristic crashes, with the Honda HRC Progressive rider later explaining that the conditions – and the injury – affected his balance.

“Normally I really like these conditions, and I can ride them well – I don’t lose it just out of nowhere,” said Lawrence. “I just struggled with my foot today and trying to be balanced, especially with these ruts.

“This [surface], like muddy sand, just pulls you in, and obviously I have all my weight on my left foot, so then coming in, it just really makes it more drastic instead of being even. So I struggled a lot with my balance.”

In what’s been an ongoing discussion since round one, individual track characteristics are believed to have an impact on his ability to manage the injury, with RedBud’s deep surface – intensified by a storm on Friday afternoon – presenting an additional challenge.

Five rounds into the Pro Motocross season, Lawrence has admitted that both he and the team are continuing to work around the deficit, trying to find solutions to add further comfort in a bid to challenge for a third 450 crown outdoors.

“It’s difficult because I’m trying to work it out myself, but also the team’s obviously helping and trying to make a bike that will make it a little easier on me as well,” he continued. “It’s a bit difficult trying to race with one leg…

“I always have in the back of my head, ‘Imagine if I had another good ankle, I could be going so much faster and making it a lot easier,’ because I’m just having to work twice as hard, almost.”

With teammate and older brother Hunter having claimed consecutive victories at High Point and RedBud – in addition to his Fox Raceway overall – he took over the red plate entering this weekend’s Southwick National, holding a three-point advantage over Jett, who had managed to win Hangtown and Thunder Valley.