Features 21 Aug 2013

MX Hub: 33

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It’s been a pretty special week in Australian Motocross following the success of Dean Ferris at the Bastogne round of the FIM MX2 Motocross World Championship.

As we’ve said time and time again since, his win boosts him into the company of Jeff Leisk, Chad Reed and the late Andrew McFarlane as a GP round winner from Australia. Needless to say, that’s some very exclusive company!

What we’re currently working on now is a Top 10 list featuring special performances from Australian riders on the world stage. It’s a lengthy and tricky process, but for the most part it’s been an enjoyable one as we sort through some of the most historic events in history.

Stay tuned for that one, however the interesting thing – and it’s something the sport doesn’t recognise too often – is that there are just so many individual performances that stand out from over the past 25-odd years.

Jay Marmont has been hard at work Supercross testing of late. Image: Grant Reynolds.

Jay Marmont has been hard at work Supercross testing of late. Image: Grant Reynolds.

Domestically we were pleased to break the news that Brenden Harrison has secured a seat at Choice Motorsports KTM for 2013 in Supercross, riding a 250 SX two-stroke. That will be an awesome sight to see one of the sport’s most talented on a two-stroke come Darwin.

Almost every top level national rider has been working hard on Supercross since Swan Hill. From defending champion Jay Marmont to current MX Nationals leader Matt Moss, they’re all applying themselves less than one month out from Hidden Valley.

One rider who’s yet to seriously take on Supercross though is Todd Waters, instead focusing on the outdoors and really wanting to make the most of these final two race weekends at Toowoomba and Coolum. Can the Queenslander pull through?

Speaking of Waters, speculation is mounting that he’s going to join the ICE1 Racing Husqvarna team next year. Owned by Formula One ace Kimi Raikkonen, ICE1 ran Kawasakis last year before switching to KTM for 2013.

Now, the brand is taking charge of KTM-owned Husqvarna’s factory program and it’s expected they’ll simply field white/red KTMs with Husqvarna branding. For Waters, you couldn’t ask for a much better opportunity as a GP rookie, however it’s all just speculated at this point.

Back onto the subject of Darwin’s Supercross for a moment, construction of the circuit has commenced this week and it’s shaping up to be mega – check out this first photos released below!

That’s it from me for today though, here’s Makker…

Darwin's Supercross circuit is under construction at Hidden Valley Raceway.

Darwin’s Supercross circuit is under construction at Hidden Valley Raceway.

To be honest I haven’t had my finger on pulse of the Australian motocross scene over the past seven days – my wife gave birth to our first child late last week, so since then my world has been a little preoccupied!

In saying that, though, I did get the opportunity to Skype with Australia’s newest grand prix winner Dean Ferris the morning after his amazing victory at Bastogne, Belgium.

The breakthrough win hadn’t sunken in yet, but he was already primed and amping for this weekend’s round of the championship.

As it turns out, Ferris’s qualifying tangle with 2013 MX2 champion Jeffrey Herlings has developed since the Dutchman fell while trying to pass Deano.

The word around the park was he’d hurt his shoulder and sat out the remainder of the GP, but news has come through now that he’s broken his shoulder-blade and is now a guaranteed non-starter for next month’s Motocross Of Nations.

At the same time, Ferris’s epic win has all but cemented his his spot on the Australian team, but there’s still speculation about who will join him.

A betting man would put money on Brett Metcalfe and Chad Reed standing alongside him, but with Reedy being in mediocre form this year, it could possibly open the door for either Todd Waters or Luke Styke to join the fray.

Dean Ferris on his way to victory in Belgium last weekend.

Dean Ferris on his way to victory in Belgium last weekend.

Both those lads are chomping at the bit to return to the world stage where they excelled last year, but at least one – likely both of them – might miss the opportunity in 2013.

Back home, this weekend sees the penultimate round of the MX Nationals take place at Toowomba. Styke is just a handful of points shy of claiming the MX2 championship, but I doubt he’ll play it safe.

Stykey wants to bury the competition this year and will charge just as hard as usual, if not harder, in order to prevent anyone else in the field from gaining any confidence.

In MX1, this round really is a do-or-die round for Todd Waters. The early MX1 leader is now 11 points adrift of leader Matt Moss and he’ll be under no illusions of what he needs to do (dominate Super Pole and finish ahead of Mossy in both motos) in order to stem the tide and have a more-than-fair shot at the title at the series’ decider in Coolum.

I expect we’re going to see some more fireworks between these two this weekend, as desperation begins to set in and emotions continue to reach boiling point.

That’s all from me this week. Remember to check out all of MotoOnline.com.au’s social networking channels and be sure to Like/Follow us for even more behind the scenes insights. We will be further increasing our focus on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the season ahead. Just search MotoOnline.

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