You’ve seen The Unknowns, and you’ve seen The Contenders. Today, finally, we have The Favourites – the guys that will enter Broadford’s opening round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals as the men to beat. This is gonna be good!

MX1

Rider: Matt Moss
Team: Team Motul Suzuki
Bike: Suzuki RM-Z450
2013 result: 1st (MX1)
Title chances: 9/10
Rundown: As the defending champion remaining with Team Motul Suzuki, you can’t look past Moss as the favourite. He’s surpremely fit and confident with speed to burn, so anybody who’s going to stop him will have to bring their A-game and some!

Rider: Billy Mackenzie
Team: CDR Yamaha
Bike: Yamaha YZ450F
2013 result: 3rd (MX1)
Title chances: 8/10
Rundown: Mackenzie has all it takes to be a champion, but it hasn’t quite materialised on Australian soil. After a really good first year at Yamaha last year and the boost of a revamped YZ450F, a slight improvement on last year’s form will see him right in the mix.

Rider: Jake Moss
Team: National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki
Bike: Kawasaki KX450F
2013 result: 6th (MX1)
Title chances: 8/10
Rundown: Back on a factory team and aboard the KX450F he’s known to love, Jake Moss has the speed to win and desire, too. His late form last year was undeniable in SX and from what we’ve seen, his confidence is at an all-time high. He’d love nothing more than to take that number one plate from his twin brother.

MX2

Rider: Kale Makeham
Team: Tunetech Racing KTM
Bike: KTM 250 SX
2013 result: 2nd (MX2)
Title chances: 9/10
Rundown: There are many things to like about Makeham and this year is shaping up to be his year. He challenged Luke Styke last year and loves his bike/team, so if all the stars align he will go one position better in 2014… as long as he can fend off some very determined four-stroke riders including the talent of Luke Clout!

Rider: Luke Clout
Team: Serco Yamaha
Bike: Yamaha YZ250F
2013 result: 13th (MX2 – part-season)
Title chances: 9/10
Rundown: The only rider to win a round last year apart from Styke, Clout’s outright speed is phenomenal. His injury from last year shouldn’t affect him and he’s solely focused on winning, which he can do if he can get the better of Makeham and two-stroke. It’s going to be epic to watch this rivalry play out.

Rider: Josh Cachia
Team: Penrite Honda
Bike: Honda CRF250R
2013 result: 11th (MX2 – part-season)
Title chances: 8/10
Rundown: Will he or won’t he be at round one? And if he is, will he be fit? There are many unanswered questions about Cachia right now, but believe us, as long as he’s on the bike he’s in with a shot at the title. If he isn’t, then that would be a shame for the class altogether – fingers crossed.