Takes: Lars Lindstrom Gives Update on Status of Jett Lawrence for Pro Motocross

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, is proud to announce an extensive update to its industry-leading flagship Motocross model, the new 2026 YZ450F. Faced with the complex challenge of improving on a bike already widely considered the benchmark of the ultra-competitive 450cc four-stroke class, Yamaha engineers put significant focus into refining power delivery and handling performance to achieve a level of precision, control and tuneability that sets a new class standard: the easiest bike to ride fast. Learn more!

Jett Lawrence has proven he can come back from injury and still compete at the highest level. 

Take last year as an example. Jett suffered a torn ACL early in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and there were questions leading into the opening round of Pro Motocross. Would he have the same speed? Was he the same rider we saw in 2024?

Jett answered those questions immediately. He won the opener and went on to capture victories in 9 of 11 rounds en route to a second straight 450MX title. And that came just one year after becoming only the third rider in history to complete a perfect season in Pro Motocross Oh, and he did that as a rookie. 

Now, ahead of the Pro Motocross opener at Fox Raceway on May 30, Jett finds himself facing those same questions once again.

This time, though, the road back has been even tougher.

In December, Jett fractured his right ankle and foot in a training crash that robbed him of a second straight Supercross season. While Jett has remained mostly quiet publicly throughout the recovery, multiple reports have suggested this rehab process has been significantly more difficult than the ACL injury he battled through a year ago.

Following round 16 of Supercross in Denver — where Jett’s brother, Hunter, earned the win to set up a true winner-take-all showdown with Ken Roczen for the 450SX title this weekend in Salt Lake City — Honda HRC Progressive team manager Lars Lindstrom provided an update on Jett’s progress.

“Jett has been on the bike for I think almost a month now. He started off kind of easy on the turn track and things like that and just kind of easing into it with his foot. Did that for a couple of weeks and then moved to the outdoor track on a smooth outdoor track, and now on a bumpy outdoor track. So he’s progressing really good. We’re going to go testing with him this week, and now we have all four guys riding, so it’s pretty exciting to have the chance. Chance Hymas: he’s been riding for a while now, and Jo [Shimoda] just started last week, and he’s starting to feel pretty good. I’m excited to go back to Florida and get to watch all four of my guys training and riding, and hopefully, from what I’ve heard, Jett’s already starting to go Jett speed. I’m stoked for so having all four guys back in the truck is going to be fun right now. It’s actually really, really cool. It is just Hunter, it’s quiet. Those three kids come back, it’s going to be loud. Jett’s going to be hopefully smashing the floor. He is excited about going racing, and I’m going to have to yell at him about that, but it really livens up the truck. Four guys back will be fun.”

If Lindstrom’s comments are any indication, Jett’s return to form may already be happening quicker than expected. And if that’s the case, Pro Motocross could be headed toward one of the most anticipated showdowns the sport has seen in years.

Because waiting for Jett at Fox Raceway will be Haiden Deegan.

Fresh off one of the most successful 250 careers in recent memory, Deegan is making the move into the premier class carrying massive momentum, massive expectations, and a fanbase ready to fuel every moment of the rivalry. For the first time, two of the biggest stars in motocross will finally line up against each other on equal ground: the established king returning from injury against the sport’s next-generation superstar looking to take over.

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Written by Slaw

Just a dog trying to find my special bun.

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