A closer look at who's who in the build-up to the supercross opener.
The first gate-drop of the 2024 Fox Australian Supercross Championship (AUSX) is almost upon us, with anticipation building ahead of action commencing with a double-header at Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe this weekend. In this Three Things feature, MotoOnline assesses the form SX1 and SX2 contenders, as well as a group of dark-horses who could find themselves in the hunt as the series progresses.
SX1 contenders
As it has for years, AUSX attracts its fair share of internationals eager to keep themselves sharp, experience racing on the other side of the world, or to make some decent money during their off-season. 2024 is shaping up to follow a similar narrative. Last year’s SX1 champion Dean Wilson is returning in an effort to go back-to-back, while gaining some valuable gate-drops before the FIM World Supercross Championship begins in Canada later this month. This year has been a bit of a roller-coaster for the likeable Honda Racing veteran, since after finishing 16th in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, he lined up for select Pro Motocross races in try and get enough points to qualify for the SuperMotocross playoffs. He scraped in and finished 17th in the three-round series, but also spent some time racing – and winning – races in Brazil. With so many indoor races throughout the year, Wilson could have a head-start on the rest of the pack this weekend. Incoming teammate Joey Savatgy makes his return to Australian soil, having signed a multi-year deal with Fire Power Honda. It’s been a turbulent year for the 30-year-old, who had originally signed a two-year deal to race for Triumph Racing. It was short-lived, though, and the two parties decided to cut the arrangement short after the Pro Motocross Championship. While the two internationals will get the initial attention, there are a number of Australian contenders who could really shake things up this time around. Let’s start with Matt Moss. Having come within one point of claiming the title from Justin Brayton two years ago, the 36-year-old has come full circle by rejoining the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team, and is relishing the opportunity. Moss thrives on confidence, and if he’s feeling good, that often translates to results on the track. Then there’s Aaron Tanti, who completes Boost Mobile Honda Racing’s three-rider SX1 line-up. The 2022 Australian ProMX Champion has had a rough year in his first full-time international campaign with PRMX. He missed most of the AMA Supercross with injury, turning his attention to the Canadian Triple Crown Series, where he finished fourth overall with two podiums in eight rounds. And let’s not forget Empire Kawasaki’s Luke Clout. Having finished his 2023 AUSX season on a high with a win in Melbourne, the former ProMX Champion is highly motivated to make his mark on this year’s series, and prove that he’s capable of going toe-to-toe with the championship front-runners.
SX2 contenders
We’re guaranteed to crown a new SX2 champion in 2024, with two-time champion Max Anstie not returning this year. There are plenty of contenders lining up to inherit the crown, including Honda Racing’s pair of international signings, Shane McElrath and Cole Thompson. While he’s been racing the 450SX class in AMA Supercross the past few years, don’t forget that McElrath won the inaugural FIM SX2 World Supercross Championship in 2022, and finished 12th in the final SMX standings this year. He might be with his third manufacturer this year (Twisted Tea Suzuki for Supercross, MaddParts.com Kawasaki to complete SMX and now Honda for AUSX), but the charismatic American has the experience and skills to adapt and thrive when it matters most. Thompson has been drafted into the Honda team after injuries ruled out initial signings Carson Mumford and Wilson Todd. The Canadian finished third in last year’s SX2 series with the now-defunct Serco Yamaha team, and has plenty of experience racing the Australian championship. On the local front, there are a few riders who could contend for the crown this year. The most notable of the Australians right now is KTM Racing Team’s Kayden Minear. Fresh off a successful trip in the US where he won a moto and finished P2 at the Ironman Moto Combine, then placed 10th in the SMX 250 World All Stars at Vegas, Minear is ticking all the right boxes at the right time. He’s got his sights set on a full-time American campaign in 2025, and claiming the AUSX SX2 crown will give him a real boost heading into next year. Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Kaleb Barham is another Aussie who could shake the championship up. Last year he finished sixth overall and podiumed at Newcastle, which featured a full-sized track similar to what the riders will face at this weekend’s double-header. Another rider to keep your eye on is Empire Kawasaki’s Reid Taylor. He finished a respectable eighth overall in 2023, but now with the Empire Kawasaki team, Taylor’s proved he’s a strong starter during ProMX, which is one of the most crucial skills required for the intense nature of supercross.
The dark-horses
Looking through the rider lists for Redcliffe’s opening two rounds, there’s no shortage of riders who could potentially cause ‘upsets’ in both classes. Perhaps the biggest unknown is CDR Yamaha Monster Energy’s Jed Beaton. He hasn’t raced supercross in years, but after coming so close to winning the ProMX this year, the Tasmanian is motivated to end his season on a high note. Another inclusion is Hayden Mellross, who hasn’t raced in AUSX since 2022. Even though he’s now doing it as a privateer, Mellross has extensive experience at home and overseas. Joel Wightman (Yamaha) is another who could bring plenty of fight to the leaders, having finished in the top five overall last year. Supercross specialist Dylan Wills is also returning for his third SX1 campaign, but this time as part of the GasGas Racing Team. He’s a consistent top-five placer who’s featured on the podium in the past. There’s a question-mark around KTM Racing Team’s Nathan Crawford, who’s coming back from a wrist injury suffered late in the outdoors – he won’t be at rounds one or two, but intends to return for Wollongong and he’ll get stronger as the series progresses. Watch for SX1 rookie Jack Mather as well, stepping up with Raceline Husqvarna T-Dub Racing. The SX2 class also has a number of riders who could compete for podiums and potentially race wins. Raceline Husqvarna T-Dub Racing’s Rhys Budd is a previous race winner, while Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Ryder Kingsford was seventh overall last year, but has matured a lot since then. Honda Racing’s local pairing of Alex Larwood and Noah Ferguson are a bit of an unknown heading into this weekend, plus we’re also intrigued to see how Byron Dennis (GasGas Racing Team) and national champion Brodie Connolly fare this season.