Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1500384
An obvious crowd favorite, Haid- en Deegan, earned second overall in his first outdoor race as a full- time professional (his third AMA National ever). The 250MX rookie, who also earned Supercross rookie of the year, started strong in moto one but fell and later finished sixth. He rebounded nicely in the second race of the day, passing two-time MX2 World Champion Tom Vialle in the process. The Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha rider held on for second in the race behind Law - rence and used 6-2 scores to grab second overall. "Getting on the box definitely gets me excited," Deegan said. "I wanted a top five at the first round and didn't really expect a podium. I was able to mark two goals off with that one." Hampshire had a tumultuous day but still managed to claim Monday and tore all the cartilage and fascia off my ribs," Lawrence revealed afterward. "But I'm a gamer, I came to win. I would've been happy with a top five just for damage control. Thursday [press day] I could barely even ride. That second moto, I defi - nitely made my life easier. "That first moto was me just taking what I could get," Hunter added. "I was pushing as far as I could with what the track was giving me, but I didn't want to throw away a good finish. In the second moto I put a lot of emphasis on the start; I knew I needed that to make my life easier. Coming through the pack on this track is so difficult, with the way it forms. Once you get into a rhythm, it's very hard to drop the hammer and start pick - ing guys off." Jose Butron (10-8) of Spain, Lorenzo Locurcio (7-11) of Venezuela and Freddy Noren of Sweden (13-9) rounded out the top 10 overall. 250MX The 250MX class is absolutely stacked this year with several rookies and elite vets in the 40-rider field. Even with the full gate, though, Hunter Lawrence was the favorite to win. The 250SX East Champion got closed off on the start the first moto and had to work his way through the field before finishing third behind winner RJ Hampshire and runner- up Max Vohland. Moto two saw Lawrence right his wrongs by taking the hole - shot and leading every lap. A 3-1 resulted in the overall win. "I had a massive crash on ROUND 1 / MAY 27, 2023 FOX RACEWAY / PALA, CALIFORNIA MOTOCROSS I AMA PRO MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP / SUPERMOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP P86 Rookie Haiden Deegan looked like a veteran in the 250MX class, taking second overall.