Image: Foremost Media.

Retired American Justin Brayton has opened up on his near return to AUSX competition this season, the five-time Australian SX1 champion revealing that he almost contested the entire 2025 series before breaking his wrist while beginning early preparations.

Initially considering a one-off appearance at the Sydney AUSX round – which was at one stage linked to a potential return to Qudos Bank Arena – the 41-year-old’s plans, together with Honda Racing, eventually evolved into considering the full season.

A practice incident at ClubMX, however, resulted in a broken wrist, ultimately bringing his racing plans to an end. Honda Racing instead recruited Frenchman Cedric Soubeyras to join Dean Wilson in the premier class of AUSX.

“We need to rewind a ways to start, and speaking to both Adam Bailey and Yarrive [Konsky], the initial plan was that there was going to be a race at the old AUSX Open arena, and I said, ‘Man, it would be really fun to bring my bike and ride’,” Brayton told MotoOnline.

“One thing led to another, and then I thought, ‘I actually wouldn’t mind racing a smaller event like that,’ and then Yarrive said, ‘Well, why don’t you do two or three races?’ and from there it was, if I am doing two or three, I may as well do five and contest the entire championship.

“I then spoke to the American Honda guys, and they sent me a set of Jett’s [Lawrence] supercross suspension, and then the first time I rode down at ClubMX, a kid literally crashed right in front of me, his bike flipped into me, which broke my wrist, and that was kind of it.”

Brayton said it had always been a 50-50 proposition, depending on how he felt on the bike in the weeks of practice leading into round one at Redcliffe. His involvement in AUSX has since transitioned to a broadcasting analysis role, as well as exhibition laps with AC & JB Show co-host Adam Cianciraulo.

“I would say for me it was a 50-50 chance [of racing] – if I felt good during those weeks, I might have raced, but at the same time, I love what I am doing now, and so the crash was probably a blessing in disguise,” he added.