The first round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, is always a highlight of the season as the energy built over the off-season reaches its peak. Raymond Terrace’s opening round of 2013 last weekend was no exception, with new stars and initiatives taking centre stage for the season ahead. MotoOnline.com.au reflects on the weekend that was.

Todd Waters and Motorex KTM
When KTM Australia decided to take their factory team back in house and sign title contender Todd Waters along with rookie Kirk Gibbs, we all knew it was a recipe for success. Any teething troubles were ironed out in New Zealand earlier this year, meaning Waters and the Motorex KTM team came out all guns blazing. Super Pole and two wins for an early series lead was the end result.

Online coverage
Williams Event Management introduced the Thor Bench Races on Saturday afternoon, as well as practice and qualifying action, live streaming online via MySportLive.com.au, MXNationals.com.au and right here on MotoOnline.com.au. While there are refinements to be made, huge props for WEM as they continue to increase awareness of the sport digitally. Plus, MotoOnline.com.au once again has the most comprehensive coverage in the game and will do all season long!

GoPro Super Pole
The inaugural GoPro Super Pole saw the single-lap qualifying format introduced to the MX Nationals for the first time in history. With points on the line it created a huge buzz, albeit a quick one

MX2 teams
The country’s leading Lites teams are quickly gaining momentum, establishing their own credibility with limited factory support. With the likes of Zero Seven, Choice and Raceline joining Serco as class-specific manufacturer-supported 250F teams, the spread of professionalism is ultra wide this season – especially combined with the many privately-run squads.

Luke Styke
We entered the weekend uncertain whether it would be Luke Styke or Josh Cachia who would reign supreme in MX2. The pair did end up going 1-2, but it was Styke who dominated – like Waters – with pole and both moto wins. He has the benefit of continuity over Cachia and looked even stronger than what he did one year ago.

Traditional motos
30-minute motos are back in Australian Motocross! Need we say more?

MX Central
The revamped complex at Raymond Terrace rejoined the series for the first time since 2011. The track was fresh for the weekend and riders had positive things to say about the venue at the conclusion of the round. The new scoring/podium tower was also an added bonus for the series organisers to utilise throughout the opener.

Fresh talent
How good was it to see new faces up front in various classes over the weekend? The standout was no doubt Kale Makeham in his MX2 debut, while Luke Clout was also super-impressive. And then there were the three youngsters who filled the MXD podium – Jack Simpson, Jesse Dobson and Hamish Harwood – signifying another new breed of rising stars arriving on the national circuit.

Different strokes
Again Makeham headlined the two-stroke assault with his surprise podium aboard the KTM 250 SX two-stroke, taking full advantage of light support from the factory against the field largely dominated by four-strokes. And then following in his footsteps was Simpson with his MXD round win, continuing the pre-mixers’’ solid form in the Under 19s.

International assault
Australian Motocross may be lighter on the international contingent than 12 months ago, however the MX1 podium featured three different nationalities thanks to the performances of Todd Waters (Australia), Cody Cooper (New Zealand) and Billy Mackenzie (Scotland). Plus, in MXD Harwood of course hails from NZ.