Honda 114 rider Hunter Lawrence picked up another preseason overall last weekend at the Lacapelle circuit in France. Having already won the MX2 overall in Italy a couple of weeks ago, Lawrence once again got the better of MX2 world champion Pauls Jonass in the French International.

With the opening round of the MX2 world championship starting in two weeks’ time, the Australian must be feeling confident. We caught up with Lawrence this morning and asked about his weekend in France

Firstly, how did you feel coming into the weekend?

I felt good actually. I had a better lead-up to Lacapelle than Riola Sardo, I wasn’t sick, so that was good. Italy I was fighting a virus all week leading into the weekend, and then I caught it, I didn’t have much energy on the day, but this weekend I felt fine. I just took it as a pre-season race, which is exactly what it is. I did some start practice and see how the bike works and see how I did under race pressure.

The Aussie has not forgot how to have fun on a dirt bike.

Can you explain your day for me?

First moto, the weather was rainy, and the mess gates were slippery, and we did a practice start on it earlier and I thought I bogged a bit, so we used less RPM’s, not as much as the practice start, and because of the the rain, we had a bad start, it just slipped, and I had a crap start. We then salvaged a couple of positions in the first corners and got second, which was alright. Second moto I had a good start, the Honda got me to a good start, I ended up holeshotting, which made life 10 times easier. I maintained the lead out front and won, which was cool. It’s different to race out front, it still isn’t easy and its learning how to control a race and ride up the front and it’s a different race than fighting through the pack and it’s a good experience for the season.

 

You mentioned in Italy that you didn’t take the superfinal too seriously. Was that also the case in France?

Yep, sure. My manager and stuff, people in my corner are not that keen on me racing against the 450s, it just brings that other element of risk into it you know. Sure, its cool for the people and stuff, and I don’t mind it, but we just want to make it to round one in Argentina. We actually missed the start, we had a bit of water in the electricals, so the bike was cutting out on the line, so I missed the start. Bit of a bummer, but we are just trying to look at the big picture and trying to stay focused. We want to get to all the rounds fit and healthy.

Hunter will spend one year on the Honda in MX2 (hoping to grab a going away Championship) before heading to the US with GEICO / Honda.

Obviously Pauls won that first moto in France, and I heard his speed was really good in that first race. Are you looking at him or just busy with yourself?

For sure, I mean the track was one lined and he got some clear track, and he pulled a gap and controlled the race. I was stuck behind Olsen for quite a bit of the race and got caught in his rhythm, and he crashed, and I passed him. It was the only way I was going to pass him to be honest, I was struggling to pass him, as it was really one line. I tried to push to get to my speed, but I couldn’t, and Pauls had good speed. The second moto it was the same for me. I got the good start and I think I put six seconds on second place, like two seconds a lap quicker, which was good, like a sprint you know. When you get stuck behind people its difficult and its so important to get good starts. The guy you don’t want to get the good start can control the race.

 

Jed [Beaton] was on the podium again, similar to France at the last Grand Prix of the season, which is a good sign for the Aussies. How was that, a smaller podium, so maybe you guys could enjoy it a little more, or you over that?

It was cool to have Jed on the podium again. Its his second year in Europe and he is doing good. Hopefully we can get the Aussie flag on the podium more often throughout the season.

Hunter seems to have his new bike working for him heading into the first MXGP in Argentina.

A little over two weeks before you leave for Argentina. What are the plans? A lot of testing the new engine?

No, we are comfortable. I think if you ask around a lot of the teams, they are in the same stage as we are. I think a few teams are still waiting on pieces to come in and we are also waiting for some bits and pieces. Other teams also got their race engines last week. This bike is already so good, and we are excited how we can do some testing and further it, you know. It has such potential, and Honda has made a great bike and I am excited to go racing.

Bavo Swijgers images

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