Hunter Lawrence has won his first championship in the premier 450MX class of the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Riding for Honda HRC Progressive on a Honda CRF450RWE, he finished the season ahead of his brother Jett Lawrence, who took second in the championship standings.

The season began in California in late May and ran across 11 rounds. Honda HRC Progressive team-mates Hunter and Jett battled for the overall lead throughout the campaign, arriving at the final round separated by just one point. Hunter had already recorded six victories and nine podium finishes, providing the statistical foundation for his first title in the 450 class.

A championship settled under pressure

Hunter said he was caught up in another rider’s crash on the first lap of Moto 1 and dropped back through the field. He explained that, in Moto 2, he knew he only needed to finish immediately behind Jett. In his assessment, much of the championship battle had already been decided by the outcome of the opening moto.

Jett said he was not at his best after hurting his leg several times during practice and Moto 1. He continued to give everything in Moto 2, but said he had reached his limit. Despite finishing second, he praised Hunter and described his brother’s season as outstanding.

Jett’s second-place finish gave the Lawrence brothers the top two positions in the championship standings for Honda for the second consecutive year. The result also extended Honda’s record in the premier class of the Pro Motocross Championship to 16 titles. Hunter Lawrence, born in Australia on August 1, 1999, now adds his first 450MX championship to his career record.