Abundant sunshine and the highest temperatures of the season thus far greeted riders at scenic Thunder Valley Motocross Park for the third round of the 50th anniversary season. The mile-high altitude of the track is sure to play a factor at the Toyota Thunder Valley National, which placed an added emphasis on qualifying in the effort to secure an early gate pick.

In the 250 Class, Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing's Michael Mosiman carried the momentum from the previous round into Colorado, where he paced the field in qualifying with an impressive lap of 2:16.916 in the final session. The Team Honda HRC sibling duo of Jett Lawrence (2:17.267), the championship leader, and Hunter Lawrence (2:17.319) rounded out the top three.

The 450 Class saw championship leader and Team Honda HRC rider Chase Sexton emerge with his second pole position of the season. His time of 2:14.509 made him the only rider to post a sub 2:15.00 lap, nearly a second quicker than Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing's Eli Tomac in second (2:15.397) with Team Honda HRC's Ken Roczen in third (2:15.601).