NJust like his younger brother Jett in the MXGP, Hunter Lawrence dominated the Open class qualifying race. In his debut race on the 450cc, Liam "Liamski" Everts rode to a strong 5th place.
Hunter Lawrence immediately took control from the start. Right behind him were Bonacorsi, Guillod, Kullas, and Everts, who also got off to a good start.
Guillod and Bonacorsi initially continued to run strongly, while Lawrence (photo below) performed exceptionally well at the front. Newly crowned SuperMotocross champion Jo Shimoda worked his way up to P2. Vlaanderen also made a good run at the front. The Yamaha factory rider was 6th after the opening lap but would ultimately finish 3rd.
From an unfavorable starting position, RJ Hampshire had a tough time. Although he was quickly up to 8th, the American had to fight hard. In the short heat of 20 minutes plus 2 laps, he ultimately finished in fourth place. Everts briefly battled with Bonacorsi but ultimately prevailed. Maxime Renaux won the Yamaha prestige duel with the relegated Guillod for 7th place, but it wasn't a great day for Team France today.
MX Open qualifying race
1. Hunter Lawrence (AUS, Honda), 24:36.503; 2. Jo Shimoda (JPN, Honda), +0:08.266; 3. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:14.614; 4. RJ Hampshire (USA, Husqvarna), +0:18.703; 5. Liam Everts (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:22.012; 6. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, Fantic), +0:26.542; 7. Maxime Renaux (FRA, Yamaha), +0:28.526; 8. Valentine Guillod (SUI, Yamaha), +0:35.766; 9. Pauls Jonass (LAT, Kawasaki), +0:39.062; 10. Francisco Garcia (ESP, Kawasaki), +0:42.545; 11. No Banner (SLO, KTM), +0:43.103; 12. Harry Kullas (EST, Yamaha), +0:46.243; 13. Hakon Fredriksen (NOR, Yamaha), +0:58.290; 14. Lawrence Locurcio (VEN, GASGAS), +1:00.098; 15. Alvin Östlund (SWE, Triumph), +1:02.864; 16. Conrad Mewse (GBR, Honda), +1:06.004; 17. Marcel Stauffer (AUT, KTM), +1:12.713; 18. Fabio Santos (BRA, Yamaha), +1:24.137; 19. Cameron Anthony Black (RSA, KTM), +1:28.292; 20. Mads Fredsoe (DEN, Husqvarna), +1:31.788; 21. Maximilian Spies (GER, KTM), +1:37.643; 22. Hardy Munoz (CHI, Yamaha), +1:43.804; 23. Tanner Ward (CAN, GASGAS), +1:51.887; 24. Kasimir Hindersson (FIN, KTM), +2:17.862; 25. Marco Antezana (CLAT, Honda), -1 lap(s); 26. German Bratschi (URU, KTM), -1 lap(s); 27. Stuart Edmonds (IRL, TM), -1 lap(s); 28. Augustine Polly (ARG, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 29. Jose Paul Chaves (CRC, SCAR), -1 lap(s); 30. Ben Almagor (ISR, KTM), -1 lap(s); 31. Elies Poget (MAR, KTM), -1 lap(s); 32. Eidur Orri Palmarsson (ISL, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 33. Jorge Israel Rubalcava (MEX, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 34. Jiraj Wannalak (CASI, Honda), -1 lap(s); 35. Fabio Jose Hernandez Zelaya (HON, KTM), -2 lap(s); 36. Rodny Gonzalez (PUR, Kawasaki), -2 lap(s); 37. Peter Zavorytskyi (UKR, KTM), -3 lap(s);
Photos: Motorcycle Australia, Shootyou.be
