Slaw
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If you were anywhere near social media this weekend, you probably saw the Haiden Deegan vs. Jett Lawrence rivalry reach a new level.
The tension began after the opening qualifying session when the two exchanged words. Then, during the second session, Deegan rode past and appeared to say something in Jett’s direction after the Honda rider crashed. Jett responded with a middle finger, an action that resulted in one rider license point and an undisclosed fine for violating the sport’s code of conduct.
Off-track drama dominated the headlines, but on the track, Deegan continued to make progress. The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider went 4-3 for the day, earning his second overall podium of the Pro Motocross season.
“I feel like slowly but surely I’m closing the gap,” Deegan said post-race. “Last week I was 30 seconds behind Jett in the second moto. This race I was like three seconds behind in the second moto, I’m getting a lot more fit. I’m catching onto what they do and it’s just a matter of time, but it’s only my fourth race and this is pretty much kind of going down to a building season, honestly.”
After the race Deegan discussed the rivalry, his performance at High Point, and where he feels he’s gaining ground.
You talked on the podium about how this is progress for you and you were really stoked on this ride. Just tell us about that and your emotions today.
Haiden Deegan: Yeah, 100 percent. This is an amazing day for me. I feel like slowly but surely I’m closing the gap. I feel like, I mean last week I was 30 seconds behind Jett in the second moto. This race I was like three seconds behind in the second moto, I’m getting a lot more fit. I’m catching onto what they do and it’s just a matter of time, but it’s only my fourth race and this is pretty much kind of going down to a building season, honestly. I’ve never raced a 450 like this against these type of guys. So as much as I want to go win, it’s going to take time and I have to be smart.
Do you feel like your comfort is changing track to track or is it just as you adapt to being on a 450?
It’s strictly adapting to a 450. It’s strictly learning the power of it, learning where to shift it, learning where it steps out here and there. It’s a heavy bike, a lot of power. A 250 is a lighter bike. You can kind of send that thing a little harder where the 450, you got to respect it and taking a little bit of time, but I’m getting it.
It seems to be it’s coming down to starts. What can you do? What do you need to do to work on the starts? In the second motto, you had a good jump but then you got pushed out and pushed back to fifth or sixth, I believe. After that, it made it difficult get to the front.
A hundred percent. I feel like we’re getting better at them so I don’t want to just go the negative route on them. I got two good jumps, came into the first turn in the first moto second and just slid in the mud a little and got buried. And then second moto, I feel like it’s a good start, got a little bit buried but I was still around fifth, sixth position, so I’m getting a little more consistent with that. I’d love a holeshot. Just go back to work. Really keep trying to dial them in, learn the power on the start. It’s a lot more power than a 250, so keeping that front down is a big deal. All you can do is just keep working towards it. But we’re getting better. We’re getting better.
What do you think so far of the difference of the competition, the 450 class when you do get say a fifth or sixth place start like today? I think you had to get through Aaron and Jorge and that difference in pace and the way the guys battle compared to the 250 class.
The more I get experience, the better I’m getting, it’s not becoming such a big deal. It was a really big surprise battling with those guys on point. Same thing with my 250 season. Once I got comfortable around them, got comfortable passing those guys, it became easier for me. And that’s really the big thing is just getting comfortable with those guys. And I wouldn’t say there’s honestly not much difference now if you’re third to sixth, seventh place, I’d say it’s pretty close to how the 250 guys are. They’re going for it, but really I’m just trying to close that gap to the front.
Do the opportunities to hang it out and really just send a section, like we’ve seen you capitalize on the 250 class against your competition. Do those doors open as often in the 450 class? Are you finding them more or is it a little bit again harder to find those moments where you can really execute not just a pass but a big move and really gap somebody?
I feel those top guys, the top three, they’re a lot more consistent. So that’s been my big thing is being consistent through the whole race, not blowing yourself out, not making mistakes. And I feel like I did a whole lot better at that this week, being consistent throughout the race and finding the right times to go for it. It’s just a matter of time.
Elephant in the room: First qualifying and second qualifying this morning yourself and Jett made a little bit of a highlight reel moment for the fans. I know a lot of people are stoked to see it start to bubble up a little bit but take us through from your perspective.
I don’t know, dude, I just went by him and I asked if he was okay and I get flipped off. Whatever. No … I’m sure if they knew what I said, I’d probably get fined. Nah, I’m just playing. It was good. I love banter. It gets me fired up. I mean you guys can see that I was going for it today. It gives me something to chase and obviously, Jett’s the guy. I don’t know how much longer he can use the ankle excuse like bro, he’s going 1-1 the last two weekends and I feel like it’s kind of honestly a thing he can’t fall back on now. So, I think he’s good to go honestly. He’s riding good. Hunter’s riding good. And I think it’s just a matter of time before I can run with those guys.
You mentioned the adaptation of learning where to shift the 450 and do certain things like that. Is there even a little bit of an adaptation to the last moto of the day being the roughest you’ve seen tracks?
A hundred percent. I mean I feel like it’s taken me four rounds to kind of catch on to that second moto learning to find smoother lines where going slower in is going to help you in those second moto to be able to line up a good exit. And it’s taking me a little time to figure that out, but I feel like it’s coming around quick. I’m learning it fast and it’s something I got to go to the practice track too and work on as well.
Hey, along those same lines, some of your fastest laps were at the end of the day where the track was the roughest. How do you explain that?
It feels amazing. Gosh, it’s getting better quick, right? I feel like last week in Colorado, I was a little tired and now this week I’m not tired at all. It’s crazy how quickly I can make gains and I feel like I’ve always been good at that. Just being there each weekend, building myself and I feel like I’ve built myself up pretty well now and just keep on doing it. That’s what I want to do. We got RedBud coming up and Southwick, so kind of figure out how those tracks are and keep on learning.
Photos: octopi.media
