Top-Five Finishes for Sexton, Craig at Thunder Valley AMA Pro Motocross National

The 2020 AMA Pro Motocross series held its penultimate round this weekend at Lakewood, Colorado’s Thunder Valley Motocross Park, where Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton finished fourth overall via a 2-5 moto tally, while his teammate Christian Craig posted a creditable fifth overall with 7-4 finishes.

Confronting the track’s mile-high altitude, Sexton completed moto one’s first lap in second place, and that’s where he stayed for all 16 laps, hitting the checkered flag less than three seconds behind winner Adam Cianciarulo. Moto two saw him in ninth after lap one, but he advanced steadily until lap 11, when he reached his finishing position of fifth.

Craig enjoyed one of his best races yet in Colorado, finishing in the top five overall. He was hampered by a poor start in the first moto, but he made some good passes to finish seventh. In the second outing, Craig had a decent start and was up to fifth in just two laps. Three laps later he advanced to fourth, his eventual finishing position.

NOTES

• Unlike the hot, humid weather conditions the series experienced in Florida last weekend, Thunder Valley Motocross Park featured perfect fall temperatures, making ideal conditions for round eight.

• A limited number of tickets were made available for the Thunder Valley Pro Motocross National, and they sold out in short order. As at previous rounds, fans were not permitted in the pro paddock, in order to comply with social-distancing protocols.

• The State of Colorado did not require all event attendees to be tested for COVID-19, although everyone needed to pass a health screening prior to entering the premises, similar to previous rounds. Event rules continued to enforce the use of face masks at all times, except for riders when wearing a helmet. Media interview opportunities were once again permitted in the pro paddock at the sole discretion of each individual team/rider, but all parties had to wear masks, even during filming.

• MX Sports Pro Racing and AMA officials reported being impressed by the positivity most have exhibited this season, with officials praising the teams for faithfully following the COVID-19-related guidelines throughout the entire series.

• Due to several riders flying home following Saturday’s race, the top three finishers in each class and additional requested riders (including Sexton and Craig) were allowed to choose from two virtual post-race press conferences–one Saturday evening or a second one on Monday evening. Sexton participated via Zoom on Saturday, while Craig planned to join Monday’s conference.

• Sexton posted the third-fastest lap of qualifying, at 2’07.107”. Craig finished the sessions with a fourth-best time of 2’07.408”.

• GEICO Honda’s Jeremy Martin turned in a solid ride in the 250 class, with 4-2 moto results placing him third overall. Martin finished lap one of the first outing in seventh, and he moved up three spots by moto’s end for fourth. Moto two saw Martin push to the front of the pack, where he battled with Justin Cooper for the lead, but he wasn’t able to make a pass stick and finished in the runner-up spot. Teammates Hunter Lawrence, Jett Lawrence and Jo Shimoda were fifth through seventh overall, while Carson Mumford rounded out the top 10. With one round remaining, Martin is second in points, with a narrow chance still left at taking the title.

• With eight of the nine AMA Pro Motocross rounds now in the books, the 2020 season will conclude this Saturday, with Team Honda HRC’s home race at Fox Raceway in Pala, California.

Media contact:

Kayla Mead // Jonnum Media // kayla@jonnummedia.com // +1 (760) 822-4786