The 2025 Boost Mobile AUSX Supercross Championship is set to commence this weekend with Redcliffe’s double-header, signalling rounds one and two of the new season. An increased level of intrigue surrounds the series this year, as MotoOnline lists our top 10 narratives to watch for entering the first of five rounds.

Image: Foremost Media.

1. Vacated championship in SX1:
With last year’s SX1 champion Joey Savatgy prioritising a World Supercross Championship assault in 2025 over defending his AUSX SX1 title, it leaves the premier class crown up for grabs to whoever wants to take it. The 2023 champion Dean Wilson becomes the immediate favourite, although Honda Racing teammate Cedric Soubeyras, Monster Energy CDR Yamaha duo Mitchell Harrison and Phil Nicoletti, as well as a range of other contenders will have sights set on earning the vacant SX1 title left by Savatgy this year. Honda Racing has won the previous seven SX1 class championships, meaning there are plenty of teams and manufacturers eager to wrestle it away from the Victorian-based outfit.

2. Increased international presence:
All names mentioned above aren’t Australian, which continues the lasting theme of international talent in AUSX. Additionally, Dylan Walsh occupies one of the SX1 seats at KTM Racing Team, while Americans Shane McElrath, Lux Turner, and Ryder Malinoski add further overseas flavour to the 250 categories. It’s always an interesting debate, as on one hand, you can ask whether there are up-and-coming Australians who could use the support from domestic teams, however, on the flip side of the coin, these high-profile riders ultimately raise the profile of the championship, which is absolutely the case and beneficial for everyone. Regardless, the 2025 season certainly features a healthy dose of international competition, and as always, it’ll be intriguing to see how the Australian contingent stacks up.

3. McElrath defends in SX2:
The calendar clashes between WSX and the AUSX series left us wondering for a while how some of these teams – namely Honda Racing and Monster Energy CDR Yamaha – would navigate the crossover, and how each respective roster would shape up. For the Craig Dack-led team, he has parked the international operation altogether this year, although for Yarrive Konsky and Honda Racing, he’s fielding two teams for each campaign. A key piece of this puzzle was Shane McElrath, who is a title threat in both series, as highlighted by his AUSX SX2 championship win down under last year. What isn’t clear, still, is whether McElrath will do two, three, or potentially more rounds.

Image: Foremost Media.

4. SX1 title hopes of Clout:
If there is one rider who has been impacted the most by the international additions in AUSX, it has to be Luke Clout. If it were treated in the same way that ProMX is – with a largely domestic line-up – then he would be a multi-time SX1 class champion by now. It’s likely for this reason that he is one of the more outspoken riders when it comes to battling the internationals, as they are taking number one plates that would otherwise be his. The New South Welshman is continually in the mix – which is always impressive and shows just how capable he is on a Supercross track. Can he contend for this year’s SX1 title? Yes, he can. Although to challenge the likes of Wilson, it will require his absolute best across the five-round format. The same can be said for Monster Energy CDR Yamaha’s Aaron Tanti, KTM Racing Team’s Nathan Crawford, and Penrite Racing Empire Kawasaki’s Matt Moss, who will all fly the Australian flag alongside Clout in the SX1 class.

5. AUSX momentum builds:
AUSX Supercross experienced a tumultuous time during the 2010s, with no single organisation or promoter sustaining the championship over multiple years. However, over the last few seasons, AME Group has steadily built a series that appears to be gaining momentum, as evidenced by the updated venues and commercial partners acquired for 2025. This is fantastic for all involved, and it’s a testament to the team sticking to their ‘building’ ethos, with the medium-term plan starting to come to fruition as the championship grows. It’s no easy feat pulling these events together, but the team is doing a great job, and there is plenty of buzz surrounding the 2025 series and beyond.

6. The SX2 contenders:
McElrath is a favourite for the SX2 title if he lines up at enough races, although that doesn’t mean there aren’t other contenders who will be aiming for the top, too. The Honda Racing team – as was the case last year – has a serious line-up in the 250 division, and one that could easily create fireworks on track given that each rider is targeting the same thing. Brodie Connolly, Tiger Wood, Alex Larwood, and Wilson Todd will all represent the red team alongside McElrath, while Ryder Kingsford, Jayce Cosford, and Lux Turner will spearhead the Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha team in SX2. Add in the KTM Racing Team pair of Noah Ferguson and Byron Dennis, as well as Penrite Racing Empire Kawasaki’s Rhys Budd, and there is plenty of firepower that comprises the 250 grid this year.

Image: Foremost Media.

7. Future is bright in SX3:
A 40-plus rider line-up is slated for the SX3 category entering Redcliffe, which is a great indication that the pathway for young up-and-coming talent is alive and well in the country. This is a great opportunity for the next generation of riders to cut their teeth in Supercross before making the full transition to the professional ranks, giving them invaluable experience while also being an entertaining championship to watch in its own right. We’ve seen riders like Cole Davies come through this developmental pathway in previous years, so whoever reigns supreme by season’s end will indeed be one to watch into the future.

8. Importance of executing:
We mentioned that the series is growing earlier in the piece, although at the same time, it is only five rounds spread out across four weekends in 2025. What this means is that it is crucial to maintain consistency – blistering speed will not yield a championship if it’s balanced by a DNF or any subpar rounds. Riders must execute across all four weekends and five rounds if they are to have a chance at title success this season, as consistency is an undeniable element of any championship chase.

9. Honda’s growing presence:
The Honda Racing organisation seems to grow year on year, across all three divisions in the AUSX championship. We saw this in full effect last year in the SX2 category, where it was essentially a red wash with McElrath, Cole Thompson, and Connolly locking out the overall podium positions. Their SX1 efforts are well documented after claiming the last seven class titles in a row, although bringing Wilson back alongside Soubeyras further solidifies their presence in the 450s, while Kayd Kingsford and Jet Alsop represent the team in SX3. It’s a massive roster and undertaking, but at the end of the day, it’s why they have had the level of success that they’ve enjoyed over the last number of years.

10. Expansion of Yamaha teams:
Speaking of Honda, Yamaha is really starting to respond in AUSX, with an expanded roster complete with both internationals and Australians there to challenge for each of the respective titles. Really, they’re in a position where they kind of have to now, otherwise Honda will continue to build momentum and take the reins as the leading team domestically. For the last five to 10 years, it’s been a battle between both Honda and Yamaha atop the standings both indoors and outdoors, although recently, Honda has started to streak away with its championship success. Therefore, Yamaha’s increased effort across the SX1, SX2, and SX3 divisions is welcomed as they look to reclaim some ground in the championship picture.