Youthful Western Australian Kayden Minear (KTM) has recorded a podium finish in the 65cc category at Estonia’s 2017 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship last weekend.

Denmark claimed the top spot amongst the competing nations, while Gianluca Facchetti (Husqvarna), Eddie Wade (Husqvarna) and Ivano Van Erp (KTM) were crowned world champions in their respective categories.

In the 125cc category, it was Italian Facchetti who topped the class with a pair of race victories, while Mikkel Haarup (Husqvarna) and Kevin Horgmo (KTM) concluded the top three. Australians Bailey Malkiewicz (Husqvarna) and Mason Semmens (KTM) were 11th and 22nd respectively.

The 85cc class saw Great Britain’s Wade dominate the division with two commanding victories, defeating Sweden’s Noel Nilsson (Husqvarna) and Kay Karssemakers (Husqvarna).

Aussie Alex Larwood (Yamaha) just missed the top 10 in 12th, as countryman and former 65cc world champion Jett Lawrence (Suzuki) was forced to sit out the event with an injury sustained in the days leading up to the weekend.

In a welcomed return to world championship status, the 65cc class was captured by Van Erp from the Netherlands after piecing together a perfect 1-1 scorecard. He beat home Mads Fredsoe Sorensen (KTM) and Minear, who went 4-3 for the final spot on the podium. Fellow Australian Jet Alsop (Suzuki) was equally as impressive with 9-6 results for sixth overall.

Team Australia unfortunately failed to defend its overall title at the event, coming home in a credible fourth position at the 2017 edition.