Hangtown Motocross Race Report: Plessinger Shines Amid Early Season Challenges
At the Hangtown track, Aaron Plessinger emerged as a standout performer, solidifying his status with a robust start to the motocross season. With an impressive showing, Plessinger currently sits second in the championship standings, delivering consistent results for his KTM team after the absence of Chase Sexton, who remains sidelined until Redbud due to injuries.
Plessinger’s positive momentum was evident during a recent episode of the Pulpmx Show, where he expressed both excitement and uncertainty about his strong performances at Hangtown in the past two years, which had eluded him. Notably, he made a minor adjustment to his bike by switching to a crossbar for aesthetic reasons, showcasing his upbeat attitude.
Justin Cooper secured the final podium spot, rounding out a top-five dominated by elite competitors: Jett Lawrence, Plessinger, Eli Tomac, and Cooper himself. Hunter Lawrence sits 22 points behind Jett, with Jason Anderson trailing another 14 points back, indicating a potential separation between the leading group and the rest of the field.
Jorge Prado’s performance raised some eyebrows this weekend. After four motos, he has openly expressed the need for increased motor performance. Despite his strengths as a starter, he struggled to maintain competitive positions, finishing fifth in the second moto after previously losing ground amid the heat in the first. Concerns continue as he fell over a minute behind the leader in Pala.
As the series progresses, the upcoming races will be critical for riders like Prado, who must balance the need for speed with technical adjustments and stamina as they compete in the demanding 450MX landscape. The implications of these early-season developments suggest a tightened race at the front, while the gap widens for those looking to catch up.
