Is Cole Davies shades of Jett Lawrence?

 Competition Post: Kane Taylor

Similarities on and off-track for the teenager at this point in his career.

What else is there to say about Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s teenage sensation Cole Davies that hasn’t already been said? With a rapid rise to prominence culminating in a maiden 250SX West round victory in Seattle, are there signs that suggest – dare we say it – are shades of a young Jett Lawrence? Let’s find out.

It’s a big call, there’s no doubting that. However, a young, charismatic teenager who’s comfortable letting his personality shine, combined with impeccable technique, race-winning pace and what seems like a true racer’s mindset, all at the age of 17? Let’s say this – the story sounds familiar.

Any comparison to the great ones is a dangerous game to play, especially so early in the piece. Determining whether Lawrence himself had the potential for greatness or not, which he has since shown, during the early stages of his career was met with its fair share of backlash.

 

Image: Octopi Media.

Did the young Australian have the speed of the great James Stewart? How dare anyone ask such a blasphemous question, and yet, three years later, Lawerence sits alongside both Stewart and the Greatest of All Time, Ricky Carmichael, as the only riders to have achieved a perfect 450 Pro Motocross season.

This brings us back to Davies. Announcing his place on the international scene during last year’s SMX Next class after claiming four of an available five podium finishes, highlighted by two race wins, things began heating up for the young rider since, with the all-powerful Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing Team pouncing on their opportunity with the New Zealand talent.

Aligning with the Tallahassee-based squad has attached rockets to Davies’ boots, who is apparently thriving on the regimented program that pits all team riders against each other during the week in order to elevate their game on weekends. It works for some and doesn’t for others, however, a relaxed demeanour from Davies seems to keep him from succumbing to the pressure.

“Cole is really chill,” mentioned Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing teammate Haiden Deegan after Seattle. “He just goes with the flow [laughs].”

It’s a good insight from Deegan, who is well-known for identifying (and sometimes exploiting) competitor personalities. From his perspective, the number 100 is relaxed, seemingly enjoying his life as a current professional racer, oblivious to much of the existent pressure.

Sounds Jett Lawrence-esque, right? Particularly in his younger 250 class years, where a carefree attitude was met with dominant results. And though we’re yet to see the latter from Davies, at 17 years old, it’s not out of the question, as at the same age, Lawrence had only just claimed his first 250SX victory in Houston, 2021. He would then go on to claim two more wins that year in Supercross, including the season-finale 250SX showdown in Salt Lake City.

So, what will be interesting to measure is how the next two years unfold for Davies and whether he can go on a path of demolition in the 250 Class. Lawrence did claim the 250 Pro Motocross Championship in 2021, which will be a tall order for Davies with the present list of contenders in class, namely, his teammate and – at least for the moment – friend, Deegan.

The Davies/Lawrence comparison is sizeable, although for it to even be a mentionable ‘thing’ is big. Some may agree, others may not. Although on the personality side, let’s leave this piece with a comment Davies made after victory in Seattle in what were his keys to blitzing what was a treacherous set of whoops.

“I just gotta let them hang [laughs],” were Davies’ words of wisdom.

A young, charismatic teenager who’s comfortable letting his personality shine? We’ve seen this before.