Premier class rookie Jett Lawrence has highlighted the importance of starts as his championship lead has vanished, the Team Honda HRC rider now tied on points with rival Cooper Webb (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) following Foxborough’s 13th round of Monster Energy Supercross.

The Australian was forced to recover from a poor start in Saturday night’s 23-lap main event, completing lap one in 12th position while only managing to claw his way back to P5 at the chequered flag.

Two-time 450SX champion Webb capitalised to secure victory, earning an incredibly valuable 25 points while levelling with Lawrence at the top of the points standings as just four rounds remain.

“This was not the end result we were looking for tonight,” Lawrence recalled. “The bike felt great, and my riding felt awesome – I just couldn’t link it with a start. I got a good jump, just slipped on a harder spot about 20 feet out. Unfortunately, in this class it’s game over without a good start.

“I could see us catching those guys, it’s just a shame battling for fifth or sixth. We’ll come back for the next round, work on [my] starts obviously, and actually show I’m meant to be up there.”

Lawrence and Webb will both sport the red plate this weekend in Nashville, marking round 14 of the 17-stop championship.