Frustrated Sexton on Hangtown

Chase Sexton expressed clear frustration following his performance at Hangtown, where he struggled to find the pace expected of him on his 450 Kawasaki. After an early crash in the opening moto left him in 11th place, Sexton managed to improve to fourth in the second race but acknowledged that his results fell short of his own expectations. He admitted to a poor start in the first moto and highlighted the need for adjustments as the team prepares for the next round at Thunder Valley. Despite the challenges faced by Sexton and the 450 Kawasaki riders, the manufacturer enjoyed a much more positive outcome in the 250 division. Levi Kitchen secured the overall win, praising the bike’s performance and his own speed, despite a difficult start in the second moto which ultimately helped him avoid a major first-turn crash. Kitchen’s comments reflected confidence in both his form and the team’s setup, signalling strong momentum for Kawasaki in the lower class. Seth Hammaker also made a notable impact, overcoming a crash in the second moto to maintain a podium position thanks to a solid victory in the opening race. His consistency contributed to Kawasaki’s strong showing across the event, underscoring the depth of talent within the team. Mitch Payton, team owner, expressed satisfaction with the results, highlighting that his riders currently hold the top two positions in the championship standings after the opening rounds. The contrasting fortunes of Sexton and the 250 riders underline the ongoing challenges and opportunities for Kawasaki this season. While the 450 class remains a work in progress, the 250 division is clearly thriving, offering a platform for continued success. As the series moves forward, Kawasaki will be looking to build on these performances and address the issues hampering their top-tier riders to remain competitive in both categories.