The Thunder Valley Motocross Park in Lakewood, Colorado gears up for a thrilling weekend as the 2025 Pro Motocross season heats up. The story of the season so far has been a classic showdown between experience and youth, with seasoned veteran Eli Tomac and rising star Jett Lawrence duking it out for top honors.
Both Tomac and Lawrence have enjoyed past successes at Thunder Valley, each claiming two 450 class wins. However, this season sees them go head-to-head more than ever before. Tomac, who triumphed here in 2018 and 2020, has been inconsistent, struggling to maintain back-to-back strong performances. Last week's mishap in Rancho Cordova snapped his chance at overall glory, yet Tomac's hunger for victory remains undiminished.
Lawrence, on the other hand, has demonstrated both skill and composure. He adeptly managed his performance last week, conserving energy in Moto 1 to clinch third place and setting the stage for more explosive runs. As the dueling duo prep for Thunder Valley, fans are eager to see who will edge out on top.
Ken Roczen, who boasts an impressive five wins at Thunder Valley, unfortunately remains sidelined due to an ankle injury. This absence leaves room for potential surprises, with Justin Cooper emerging as a dark horse. Cooper is comfortable on this track, and with solid performances so far, he could disrupt the expected order and surprise the field.
Aaron Plessinger's consistent top-five finishes make him another rider to watch. His form since Southwick last year suggests he's steadily building towards a marquee moment.
In the 250 class, talent abounds as Haiden Deegan dominates early rounds with two wins to his name. His potential move to the 450s looms, but he's currently focused on maintaining his momentum. Meanwhile, Jo Shimoda's consistency is commendable, with four second-place finishes serving notice that he is one to watch.
The Thunder Valley showdown will undoubtedly raise the stakes as riders vie for supremacy in both 450 and 250 classes. With the backdrop of shimmering past glories and the promise of future legends being made, this race is set to be a motocross classic.
