New 250MX points leader Hunter Lawrence says the feeling of taking the red plate is ‘bittersweet’, believing there was more to be extracted from round five of the 2022 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship than 2-2 moto scores.

Lawrence has been a model of consistency throughout the opening races of Pro Motocross this year, only finishing outside of the top two in two motos, with his worst finish being P4.

He rose to the top of the standings following moto one at RedBud as he finished runner-up to Jo Shimoda, while teammate and previous red plate-holder Jett Lawrence suffered a mechanical DNF.

The number 96 rider passed Ty Masterpool to take the lead in moto two at Michigan, however, was ultimately overtaken by his younger brother and again finished P2, for second overall on the day.

“It was an interesting day – it’s funny because it’s like such a bittersweet feeling for me right now, to leave with the red plate,” said Lawrence. In my eyes, the first moto was kind of a… not a blessing but we got really lucky with the fact I was able to nurse the bike home and not push it off the track.”

“That was kind of like ‘phew okay’, and then the second moto I just really struggled, I just sucked to be honest, just so tired. With the 2-2, I felt there was so much more in it, but then you are leaving with the red plate.

“They don’t come as fast as you want and they don’t come how you want most of the time. Weird kind of deal and feeling for myself to be completely honest.

“I’ve dreamt of this for a long time, there have been many times we are leaving the track in the rental car and we were like ‘dam, we would kill to have a day when we are not happy with our performance, but we leave with the red plate’. We will take it”

The series moves to Southwick, MA, this Saturday, a venue where Hunter Lawrence went 1-1 last year to take his first 250MX overall. He leads the 2022 series by seven points entering round six.