Hunter Lawrence lit up the 2017 Motocross of Nations on his Suzuki RM-Z250, putting in two great moto scores to win the MX2 class and get awarded the Ricky Carmichael Award for best young rider. At the conclusion of the event, Lawrence announced a multi-year deal to Geico Honda, 2018 in Europe, 2019-2021 in the USA.
“The day started off really well, with a good start on my RM-Z250. It was a good race with the 450s and I ended up fourth which was really cool, finishing ahead of some top-quality riders and I was the first MX2 rider across the line. It was a short break between the two motos and I didn’t get as good of a start in the second race and I had to work my way through the pack. There was so much mud on my helmet and I had to take the goggles off but I was riding well and making passes. I took a rock to the eye at one stage and that hurt a lot but others were making mistakes and I kept charging and eventually got up to third. Unfortunately, my helmet was falling down across my eyes and I couldn’t see so well and I crashed a couple of laps from the end. Obviously it was a massive let down for myself as I ended up finishing eighth after that mistake. I still won the MX2 class and won the Ricky Carmichael award for best young rider so I’m really happy with that and with helping Australia to a sixth overall.”
With strong rumours of Suzuki pulling it’s World Motocross teams, Lawrence will line up in a unique deal in 2018. Racing under the 114 Motorsports team with technical support from Geico Honda.
“To join GEICO Honda and their list of riders past and present is an honour. My family gave up a lot to get me to this point so the decision to sign with GEICO was a big one for us. They felt like family from the minute we started talking and are giving me support next year with 114 Motorsports Honda to win a World Title. Then I will make the move to the U.S. full time in 2019.”
