It’s been a massive few days for our Australian contenders on the world stage in both motocross and supercross disciplines. Welcome to Motoview on MotoOnline.com.au, presented by Thor MX Australia.

This week’s edition of Motoview features a solo contribution from myself, as Alex is still running around on projects after a mega weekend on the ground at Phillip Island covering the WorldSBK and ASBK for our road-based CycleOnline.com.au website and Foremost Media clients.

Firstly, how damn cool was it to see Chad Reed (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing) on the podium last weekend at Detroit’s Monster Energy AMA Supercross Triple Crown? While many doubted he’d ever return to the box in the most prestigious supercross series in the world, I always personally thought it was a case of when it happens, not if it happens.

If you tuned into the live coverage, I’m sure you would’ve been on the edge of your seat for the three main events, particularly that last one where he just scraped onto the podium by two points – in the end, it was a 3-5-7 scorecard that got him there.

The result itself is impressive in so many ways – firstly, Reed is 36 years of age and on the cusp of clicking over another year, plus, the podium marks the 132nd of his career in the premier class – extending his all-time record. Adding to that is the fact he got done in the Triple Crown – a format in which he’s always expressed dissatisfaction for. It’s impressive stuff from the Australian fan-favourite, and hopefully not the last we see of him on the podium.

And just a quick note, Reed commented in the post-race press conference that this could be he last season, which is ‘old new’ unless you’ve living under a rock in the past six months, although the more interesting comment from him was the fact he is entertaining the idea of going for one more season if everything aligns, suggesting it as a ‘goodbye tour’.

Shifting to other side of the world in the MXGP World Championship, and to a more sour note, is the news of Jed Beaton’s injury that will sideline him this weekend for the season-opener in Argentina. The Tasmanian crashed during timed practice at the final pre-season event, the Lacapelle Marival International Motocross in France, where he sustained fractures to multiple vertebrae.

At first, his team, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, stated he’d be fit and ready for the weekend, but the youthful talent released a statement via social media a day later confirming the injuries and his absence for round one – obviously seeking further medical consultation from the initial team release.

It’s terrible news for Beaton, who’s on the come back from double-leg injuries sustained at Matterley Basin last year, but we’re glad to hear it’s nothing more serious. Looking at the positives, the schedule should work into his favour, as there’s still a month before the second round at the British venue that ended his 2018 campaign, although that all depends on the severity of his fractures – all of which has been left a little vague at this stage.

Speaking of the Lacapelle event, compatriot Mitch Evans (Team Honda 114 Motorsport) put in one of his strongest performances since heading to Europe, and it couldn’t have come at a better time as he makes his MX2 World Championship debut this weekend. The Queenslander was third overall against a competitive field consisting of world championship regulars, so lets hope it’s a confidence booster for him this Saturday and Sunday.

That’s all for this week folks, we’ll catch you next Wednesday!