Two brothers from the Sunshine Coast have soared to great heights in the world’s premier motocross competition.
Jett Lawrence claimed his third straight SuperMotocross (SMX) World Championship title, while Hunter Lawrence was runner-up after the season-ending event in Nevada on Sunday.
The former came first and then second in the two motos at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway to secure the title ahead of his Honda HRC Progressive team-mate.
“3x SMX world champ,” he celebrated via Instagram.
“The playoffs are intense. Very few mistakes to be made with it only being three races.
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“Battling all the athletes is never easy but battling your brother for a world championship is tough.
“I’m proud of us as a family and we did it together.”
Jett said via the SMX Insider post-race live stream that he had mixed emotions.
“I want to see him (Hunter) do so well,” he said.
“It’s difficult to swallow because I’m the a-hole that’s beating him.”
The 22-year-old believed Hunter, 26, would have won if he wasn’t sick when it counted.
“I honestly think if he didn’t have that cold, he’d be wearing this (winner’s medal). If he was 100 per cent it would have been a different story,” he said.
“I think next year he’s probably going to whip my butt.”
The brothers grew up in Landsborough before racing in Europe and then relocating to the United States, to test themselves against the best riders in the world.
Jett said their 1-2 result was “awesome” but his older brother had paved the way for him.
Meanwhile, Hunter was disappointed to miss out on top spot.
“I’m gutted. I did everything I could,” he said via the SMX Finals Recap.
“Felt like I just gave it 110 per cent every time I went on the track … just came up short.”
“The highs and lows, right.”
Their father Darren also spoke via SMX Insider.
“It’s hard for the lads because Jett wants to win, Hunter wants to win, and Jett wins and he feels bad for Hunter,” he said.
He said the family regularly reflected on their journey.
“We never thought we’d get this far,” he said.
“It’s a blessing … thank you to America and AMA (American Motorcylist Association): we’re living a great life.”
The SuperMotocross World Championship integrates the 17-round AMA Supercross Championship and the 11-round AMA Motocross Championship, culminating in three playoffs races.
Jett won nine motocross rounds and one supercross round, before winning two playoffs events.
