Unadilla looked to be a mudder, but the track looked great for racing. When I say “great”, I mean that it was “great” that I wasn’t racing this place. I have ridden Unadilla the day after the national for a few factory bike tests and it was one of the ruttiest tracks I have ever ridden. The ruts are so long that it feels like you can never get out of the rut you picked a quarter of a lap ago. Crazy! Here are some thoughts from Unadilla. This isn’t a huge article but quality over quality people!
Grant Harlan: Yes, damn right we are starting with Grant! After speaking with Grant on Sunday morning I figured out he is basically on a stock YZ450F with Merge Suspension (with a knuckle/stock pull rods), FCP Race Cups, FMF muffler, GET ECU and just for Unadilla, a HC piston! He said he didn’t even really notice the piston so he may just go back to stock. Grant is a small little dude and doesn’t look like a motocross rider when you see him walking around the pits. He just looks like a bald headed child that just got out of his science lab class from your local community college. No hate comms. However, when he puts his helmet on, this dude is a beast and is strong as hell! While other privateer riders are looking for more power out of their 450s, this dude is just plugging along with his stock YZ450F and putting in top tens! I wish this type of stuff would get more recognition from our TV broadcast but I will stroke the dude’s ego right here in this article. The funny thing is that this isn’t the first time Grant has done this. He does this A LOT! There is nothing flashy about his riding technique, he just twists the throttle to six more than others do. I mean if you’re Malcolm Stewart and you see this dude in front of you most of the moto and you’re not just dropping him, you might get a little pissed off. This is what this guy does to factory riders. Grant Harlan everyone! Every normal dude’s outdoor motocross hero.
Hunter Lawrence: I am all for some 2025 talk but can we slow our roll a little bit on this Hunter did what he did because of the 2025 frame. CALM DOWN! Yes, the 2025 Honda CRF450R is better! I agree! However, the 2024 race trim frame wasn’t all that much different than the 2025 frame because HRC Honda made their 2024 frame as close as they could to the 2025 production frame. Yes, the 2025 frame is going to have less material on it (no welded plates on) and I am sure the flex is a little different as well, but Hunter is also a GREAT rider and did lead A LOT of laps before Unadilla. Honda is loving ALL of this attention on their new bike, but Hunter is a good rider and his results are because of his riding more so than the 2025 platform. No hate comms! Peace and love! Well played, Honda. Well played!
Dylan Ferrandis: Here is a guy without the 2025 frame that did pretty good eh? I will say that Ferrandis’ bike doesn’t early look as good as Hunter’s but he made it work at Unadilla. There was some of that fire back in Ferrandis at “Dilla” and it was nice to see him have some fight left in him at the end of the motos. I wonder if HRC could give him their old 2024 race trim frame? I have ridden that frame and it is really good! Is he already on it? I don’t think so, but I think he would be podium guy more if he was.
Christian Craig: It takes a lot for a man to keep grinding when he knows his results haven’t been great. Let’s face it, CC’s year hasn’t been good, but he is not giving up and is clawing his way out of this hole. An eighth place may not look like much on paper but if you’re into our sport you know how hard eighth place is these days. He was near the 6-8th place mark throughout both motos and is getting closer to top fives. CC has some irons in the fire for 2025 so hopefully he lands some place where the bike is good enough to showcase his ability. Oh and I will say, I think CC’s style/technique looked a little better with shorter length bars. His bars have got wider and he just looks different now on the bike. However, how can you deny this dude’s whips. The OG of technique and style! Christian Craig! Still has it!
Levi Kitchen: Levi (NOT KITCH) got some extra recovery and looks refreshed! Shocking that a motocross rider needs rest! Hell, I need rest! Anyway, Levi got a little gift from the gods when Chance blew himself up, but nonetheless you have to be in it to win it and Levi did just that in Unadilla. He gapped “Danger Man” the second moto and proved to all of us and “Danger Man” that he has some speed in that lanky body of his. It would have been cool to throw some fatties over the sky jump in front of the fans like “Danger Man” did in the first moto. Just to say, “two can play this game”. I am here for the Levi Vs. Deegan battles. Both are great for our sport! Two opposite type of humans battling it out is great for all of us idiots on the couch.
Jalek Swoll: Did Jalek just sell Triumphs like Hunter sold Hondas? BOOM, sucka! Yes, he did! This is a pretty freaking huge deal for Triumph and Jalek. This kid is fun to be around, likes to talk crap, but when it comes time to grind, he will grind. He also has been staying on the bike (not crashing) which is helping his results as well as confidence. Again, he kind of got gifted that podium but you have to be in it to podium and the kid did just that. He put himself in good positions all day and was rewarded with his first podium of the year. Plus a nice bonus I am sure! Also, I know that I am close to this motorcycle, but it takes A LOT of people to make this happen. Jalek is the key piece to the puzzle but there are guys back in Georgia that should be proud of what just went down at Unadilla. PS. I could have used a better photo of J-Swoll, but he hugs my wife too long when he sees her so I decided on this photo! You’re welcome, people.
Lux Turner: La La’s brother is having himself a great year in my eyes. A 15th place at Unadilla in the highly competitive 250 class is something to be proud of. The AEO KTM guys have been plugging away and Chad at XPR has been really helping Lux get his bike to where he loves it. He has told me this is the best bike he has ridden and it shows! Again, staying on the bike, not getting hurt and showing up to race is how yogurt better. Great job, Lux!
