MXP: We are just wrapping up the GDR Honda Team Intro day, how do you think it went from a team perspective?
RL: I think it went great honestly. It’s always fun to have the media and some of the GDR Honda Team sponsors out to talk to the riders, and then watch them ride for a bit. It always feels like the official kick off to the Triple Crown Series, as it’s now only three weeks away. The riders are healthy and happy, and we just have to maintain everything until the gate drops in Calgary. It hasn’t been an easy off-season for everyone at the GDR Honda Team as we had to make a lot changes for 2026. But, I like where we’re at and I’m proud of the work the team has done. Now, it’s time to go racing!
MXP: Looking back at the Salt Lake City SX last weekend, we all got to witness some incredible racing. Let’s begin with the 250SX East/West Showdown main event. Regardless of whether you’re a Deegan fan or a Cole Davies fan, that was the best 250SX race of 2026. What were your thoughts on that race?
RL: It was a good one. I liked that Davies made things happen and went for that aggressive pass. I think Deegan made himself look stupid when he tried to pass him back but ended up going down. You and I both know that just driving into the side of another rider isn’t how you make a pass. I don’t know, I don’t understand the entire Deegan thing sometimes. Once he got passed, he stepped up his pace and it looked like we were going to have a good battle for the rest of the main event, but then he tried that dumb pass and went down. Then after the race, Deegan seemed okay with not winning and having his younger teammate punt him off of the track. But, at that point I feel like all Deegan could do was laugh and smile and act like he was cool with it. If he didn’t act like that then I think the crowd would’ve really turned on him. Anyway, it was good racing, and I was glad to see Davies win!
MXP: Final question this week is about the 450SX main event in SLC and Ken Roczen winning the title. What a race, what a night, and what a season. What are your thoughts?
RL: Well, heading into Saturday night, my heart wanted Roczen to win the championship, but my gut told me that Hunter Lawrence would end up coming out on top. It just seemed like all the stars were aligning for Hunter as Kenny looked out of sorts all day. Qualifying didn’t go well, his heat race was even worse. After that, I just felt that Hunter would be able to grab the holeshot and check out. I don’t know exactly what Kenny and the team did between the heat race and main event, but something just clicked. To see them get out one-two in the main event start was perfect for the fans, and then to see Roczen make an aggressive pass and then do what he does best: sprint for the first few laps. I think that was the worst case scenario for Hunter, and then we saw what happened. In the past, Hunter has always been a rider that doesn’t make a lot of mistakes, but when he makes one, he then makes multiple. It was a great race and a great way to end the series. I hope Kenny comes back in 2027, but it won’t surprise me if he rides off into the sunset with the #1 plate.
