The third annual Moto Awards are here, where MotoOnline.com.au takes the time to rate the men and moments of the year gone by. Season 2011 was a triumphant one for many, but a tough one for some, and we were the to cover it all along the way.

MotoOnline.com.au’s Moto Awards are done for entertainment purposes, pieced together via what we witnessed (in many cases first hand) during the year. It’s been a massive season gone by, but we have a feeling that 2012 will be even better!

National Rider of the Year: Jay Marmont

Two premier class titles and again the biggest name in Australian Motocross, Marmont is rated our best Aussie regular for the third year running. Nobody would argue with that!

International Rider of the Year: Chad Reed

After creating TwoTwo Motorsports, Chad Reed went on a tear. Now, 12 months on, he has factory Honda support and enters 2012 as a title favourite. We can’t wait to see him do big things all year long next season.

Rookie of the Year: Ken Roczen

MX2 World Champion K-Roc wasn’t a rookie in Europe, but in AMA Supercross’ West Coast Lites class he was. One win and a stellar debut performance proved he can mix it with the best.

Race Series of the Year: AMA Supercross

After 17 rounds, the Supercross Class entered the final round with four title contenders. Ryan Villopoto won in the end, but the journey to the finals will forever be remembered.

Best Motocross Bike Tested: 2012 Kawasaki KX450F

It’s a new model and has a heap of technical advancements for 2012 that we liked during the Aussie launch at Appin. Kawasaki has also had success in racing already with the KX450F (RV in the AMA outdoors!), making it our favourite for the year.

Best Off-Road Bike Tested: 2012 KTM 450 EXC

You can’t argue with KTM’s massive range of off-road bikes, and the 450 EXC is our best of the bunch. We’re still waiting the arrival of Yamaha’s new WR450F early next year, but as for what we’ve ridden already during 2011, the new Katos are weapons.

Top Team: CDR Rockstar Energy Drink Yamaha

Jay Marmont delivered CDR Rockstar Energy Drink Yamaha two titles in 2011, both the MX Nationals and Super X. With a 1-2 finish outdoors for Marmont and Coppins, this year rates as one of Craig Dack’s greatest as the team owner.

Best Event: Motocross of Nations – St. Jean d’Angely, France

With Team Australia scoring our first ever podium in motocross’ great race, Chad Reed, Brett Metcalfe and Matt Moss did us proud in September. With the nation behind them, all three put their best foot forward and finally reached of MXoN potential.

Biggest Crash: Reed’s Chad-a-pult!

Moto two at Spring Creek and Chad Reed leads. A few corners in, Chad Reed is sent flying. Seconds later, Chad Reed gets back up and finishes the moto. Hours later, Chad Reed is on news headlines worldwide. Now, the crash has millions of YouTube plays. We’re glad the TwoTwo walked away from that one.

Greatest Disappointment: Toby pays the Price

In Australian off-road, there’s no doubt that Toby Price is the top guy in the AORC series. While he won the A4DE, his AORC season was doomed from the outset and he was eventually ruled out with a wrist injury mid-season. He wasn’t the disappointment, just the fact that he didn’t get the chance to defend his crown.

Most Surprising Moment: Coppins Crashes Out

After motos one and two at Coolum’s MX Nationals finale, Josh Coppins seemed like he had it in the bag. That was until the first turn of moto three, when a crash and severe shoulder injury forced him out, handing Jay Marmont the number one plate. We were in shock!

Social Standout: Chad Reed

You only have to follow Chad Reed on Twitter for a day or two @CRtwotwo to realise how proactive he is with social networking. Add in the TwoTwo Motorsports Facebook Page and he sets the benchmark in informing his fans. It’s all access like never before.

Special Mention: Errol Willis

Winning two titles in one year was the norm in Australian Motocross and Supercross, but for 18-year-old Willis, his title-winning season in the Under 19s was a serious breakthrough. We’re also big fans of his off-track image too, because it’s confident without being cocky. Watch him excel.

Do you have an opinion to share on this story? Be sure to sign up to MotoOnline.com.au’s iMoto Community and have your say below today!