Team Honda 114 Motorsports’ Hunter Lawrence returned to the podium at the MXGP of Switzerland with his best performance since his mid-season injury problems.
After a hard-fought fifth in the first moto, Lawrence got a much better start in race two and was able to work his way to the front much quicker which resulted a third place in the moto and third place overall. After an injury-hit campaign, it was a good showing from the Australian rider and one that he will hopefully build upon in the remaining four rounds.
“It was a good weekend right from the start when I set the fastest lap in free practice,” said Lawrence. “I also led the qualification race for a few laps which was cool and nice to be out front again.
“Then in the first moto, I didn’t get a great start, coming around the second turn in about 12th position, but I worked my way through to fifth, however by that time the front guys were gone and I couldn’t catch them. The second moto had a bit of a better start and like the first race I went to work right away and made as many passes as I could. I found myself behind Vlaanderen for a good amount of the moto, but eventually made a pass on him to get third. This was good enough to land myself on the podium which I’m really happy about.
“A five-three isn’t too bad, especially as this is probably the first race that I’m feeling close to 100%. It’s good to be back,” Lawrence finished.
MXGP rider Todd Waters finished 17th overall after placing 15th in Moto 1 and 18th in Moto 2.
“Yesterday’s qualifying race was not good, so the poor gate pick did not help. I woke up this morning and I was motivated to do everything I could to make a difference,” said Waters after the race.
“We were battling around the top-15 in both races – despite not so great starts – and whilst in the first race I was able to maintain the position until the end, in the second one my form faded out towards the end. Nevertheless, we made some baby steps and my feeling with the bike has improved a little bit, so the goal is to continue in this direction and keep improving in the next two rounds.”
