Jett Lawrence FIM 65cc World Champion

All hail King Jett! Jett Lawrence’s 1-2 finish gave him the FIM 65cc World Championship in Belgium

KTM Junior Motocross Racing Team rider Jett Lawrence has earned himself the distinction of being Australia’s youngest ever World Motocross Champion, at the weekend’s 2014 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship at Lierneux in Belgium.

In wet and worsening conditions, Lawrence brought the 65 cc world title to Team Australia, when he backed up a sensational Moto one victory with a second placing in the second and final Moto.

It was something of a belated birthday present for Lawrence, who turned 11 just three days before the victory, and is young enough to return next year and compete for the same title.

It was one of two brilliant podium appearances for Team Australia, with 2012 FIM World Junior Champion Caleb Grothues finishing second in the 85 cc class.

Grothues dominated the first of two Motos, and was unlucky to miss out on a second world title after he fell while attempting to pass for the championship lead in Race Two and was forced to accept the runner-up position.

For Jett’s older brother Hunter Lawrence – himself a Vice-Champion in 2013 – fortunes were not so kind. Hunter crashed awkwardly in the opening 125cc Moto and required hospitalisation, but has subsequently been released and will make his departing flight from Brussels today.

Among the other Aussies, Mitch Evans placed 32nd in the 125cc class, while Liam Andrews was 34th in the 65cc class.

Australia finished fifth on the Junior Nations overall tally, which saw the USA narrowly defeat Germany with France coming home third.

Team Manager Glenn MacDonald was ecstatic and justifiably proud of the result, and was quick to acknowledge the invaluable support of the German Kosak KTM Team, with whom the Australian team pitted.