The Unadilla National saw Jett Lawrence etch his name into the history books once again, clinching his second 450MX crown in style with a commanding 1-1 result at the penultimate round of Pro Motocross 2025. Plus, Jo Shimoda kept the Team Honda HRC Progressive momentum rolling by sweeping the 250MX motos and ensuring the title will be decided at the finale this weekend. Hear from both riders in Debrief as they spoke with the media following the race.

450MX

Image: Octopi Media.

Jett, the last eight months for you have been a massive challenge. Going back to the emotion you showed after winning at Pala, to now wrapping up the title early – what was the defining moment of the summer for you?

I think the biggest one is round one, just the lead up into it, overcoming the knee – which heaps of other people have done, but it was my first one. I originally got told four months, so I wasn’t meant to make the first round at all. So, to make it back for that, I was already stoked, and to go and win it, it’s probably one of my best race weekends. Just with the uknown of whether we’d be able to race, to then going and winning, I think that’s my favorite.

What does this upcoming week look like for you? Do you start on your SMX set-up, or is it really important to keep this moment and focus on going 1-1 at Budds Creek?

It might sound crazy, but I’m going to go back and do exactly what I did this week and just go ride my bike again. It’s great wrapping it up a round early, but you don’t fully get to enjoy it because you’ve got racing the next weekend. So, we’ll go back – I might do a little bit of SMX, I’m not sure yet. We’ll see if the rain holds out in Florida.

You had a pretty big lead on the last lap, at what point did you start celebrating the championship?

Once I went over the line, you never celebrate before the finish line. I’ve seen videos of it ending bad when people have celebrated before the finish line, so I try to wait until I’m over the line. We don’t want to get bad karma and tuck the front on the easiest turn, [laughs].

How did you find the track today compared to previous years you’ve raced here?

I think they were expecting rain, and they didn’t really rip it as deep as usual, so it was a little suckier at the beginning, because the middle was really wet from them watering. We had to go far left and far right of the track, but Unadilla has definitely been a lot more fun in previous years, today was so harsh on the body because of the edges, especially on your back. I wish it was more like a typical Unadilla, but we’ll still take it.

You’ve won a fair amount of titles now, I remember watching you win the first 250 ones and the excitement and emotion were on display in the moment. Now, you seem very even keel through it, so when does it really sink in, or when do you get to actually process what you’ve just done?

When that bonus hits, [laughs]. Nah, I think the more that I’ve won, I’ve kind of liked the grind and the training program in between each race. The training and cycling and getting ready for each race weekend. I’m super pumped that I won the championship, but I feel like once you get the job done that you were trying to do, your body goes into that relaxation mode. Like after the race today I was tired as, like I’ve never felt that at any other rounds, because it’s like the job is done now. So, it’s coolm, I’m definitely grateful for the team behind me that has helped me, Hunter [Lawrence] – obviously I get to train with him every day. HRC, Red Bull, Alpinestars, 100%, Santos Studios, Jaxxon Chains – everyone that supports me in doing what I love, I think that’s what makes the championship special.

250MX

Image: Octopi Media.

Jo, a commanding effort today. With the way you made passes early, to stretching out a double digit lead at times – what was it about today that made that possible?

Well, the track was really slick. I was making plans before the moto of where I wanted to go, and it was about making quick decisions. It worked out.

The track looked really dry, rocky and hard-packed today. What would you say today’s Unadilla was like compared to previous years?

I don’t know what they were trying to do. Maybe the purpose was to slow everybody down, but I would say that watering the track is good, but some areas it’s a little bit dangerous. Especially today with it being super dry compared to the past where it’s super rutted. Today was just really slick, though, and some parts of the track I was a little bit scared, to be honest.

Historically, you’ve done very well at this track. What is it about Unadilla that suits your style?

I don’t know. Last year I ended up in hospital, [laughs]. But, yeah the more techincal it is, the better it works for me.

With both Haiden [Deegan] and Tom [Vialle] leaving the class in 2026, what is your outlook on next season with the strides you’ve been able to make lately?

I think in supercross, I need to step up my game a little bit. But, outdoors now, I feel very comfortable with the motorcycle and the consistency. Like, that’s the part I was looking for – not a top five consistency – more of a top three consistency. I just need to bring this into next year and fight for it.

This is the track that amateurs usually step up to pro at after Loretta Lynn’s, I think it was even your first race pro race. Now, you’ve grabbed your second overall win here, how cool is it to come back to the track you turned pro at and get another win? Do you think about that stuff?

Yeah, it’s funny. Because, for this round, my dad came today. We were talking on the way here about when I turned pro here for my first race, and it ended really bad, [laughs]. We spoke about how much we’ve improved, it’s almost incomparable, you know? So yeah, we’re getting there, but my goal is to win the title. Winning motos for me, it’s cool, but at this point, I’m trying to reach my goal of winning a title.

You mentioned your dad, did you give him the champagne after the podium?

Yeah, I gave it to him to drink and he just started spraying people, [laughs]. It was pretty funny.