The new season has arrived… here’s what to expect on MotoOnline.com.au!

When Super X was introduced to Australia by Global Action Sports in 2008, anticipation was at its peak. Chad Reed was returning to race on home soil, live television was introduced, new formats were created, and many top Americans were promised to be coming.

I remember it clearly and, personally, I was anxious to see how Aussie sporting enthusiasts would accept the sport with the added concepts. The recipe was there, but soon enough it became clear that things weren’t quite going to plan.

What happened over the next three years is history, with 2011 creating a fresh new beginning for Super X – now backed by Monster Energy for the third year in a row. Chad’s not racing, the live TV is gone, and the focus seems to be on our domestic talent rather than those from the U.S.

That brings us to this weekend in Melbourne where the opening round will take place at the Knights Stadium, which is the home of Melbourne’s Victorian Premier League Soccer Club. Saturday night, 22 October, will mark our first glimpse at what’s to come this year.

I’m confident that GAS’s one step backward, two steps forward, approach will be a positive one for the sport. As much as we appreciate live television, there’s nothing better than the atmosphere that a packed stadium can produce during a race weekend. Hopefully it turns out that way.

It’d be nice to see Reed racing, but truly, the sport needs to stand on its own two feet one day without him being the sole reason fans are going to the races. It’s happened before and it could happen again, all things going to plan.

In fact, it’s up to us in the media (both motorcycle and mainstream) to help make the likes of Jay Marmont, Dan Reardon, Matt Moss, Dean Ferris, Lawson Bopping and co. stars in their own right.

We don’t really need to fly over the likes of James Stewart and Ryan Villopoto to race as planned in previous years, because even though it would be a bonus, Aussies are proving again and again that they can contend on the world stage. It’s time to back our local guys like never before.

Here at MotoOnline.com.au we’re all about watching and assisting in the sport’s growth. The strength of the internet is that we can help shine the brightest of lights on the series on a global scale, which can only be a good thing when our rising stars are trying to gain exposure. It only takes a couple of links from U.S. sites or forums and Aussies could all of a sudden be on the U.S. talent radar.

That’s why in 2011, we’re stepping up the program another bar from all angles, including video coverage (who doesn’t love video!?), photography, interviews, behind the scenes news and more. We’ll be at all five rounds and will be supporting the sport all the way.

Be sure to check in daily and enjoy the ride along the way… we’re only just getting ready to drop the start gates!

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