The Penrite ProMX Championship, presented by AMX Superstores, will drop the gates on the 2025 season this weekend at the regional Victorian venue of Wonthaggi, where Australia’s top motocross racers will do battle to start their campaigns for the top step of the podium.
Featuring the Kawasaki MX1 Championship alongside the Pirelli MX2 Championship, MAXXIS MX3 Championship, EZILIFT MXW Championship, and the Fox Racing MX85 Cup, the Bass Coast-based race track will ignite with competition as the first of eight rounds commences this Saturday and Sunday, March 22-23.
Kawasaki MX1
Sitting atop the Kawasaki MX1 class is defending champion Kyle Webster (Vic), with the Honda Racing rider entering this season with the number one plate on board his CRF450R. Webster is blazingly fast around the sandy circuit and enters with a wave of confidence after a stellar 2024. Following behind is Monster Energy CDR Yamaha’s Jed Beaton (Vic), who, after two seasons of runner-up finishes, will want nothing more than the MX1 class championship.
Closely behind the two front-runners are KTM Racing Team’s Nathan Crawford (Qld) and Penrite Racing Empire Kawasaki’s Luke Clout (NSW), with both experienced racers wanting to knock the top two from the top of the throne. These riders enter their second seasons as part of their respective programs, meaning more comfort and feel should be in their arsenal, with a step up expected from where they were last season.
The ever-consistent Kirk Gibbs (Qld) makes up the second part of the official KTM team’s 450 roster. At the same time, Todd Waters (Qld) enters on board his own Raceline Husqvarna TDub Racing Team alongside the newly-signed returning Regan Duffy (WA). All riders have tasted success at the top of the tables once before and will have their aims set on that same success again.
Maximus Purvis (Vic) and Wilson Todd (Qld) will ride the Monster Energy CDR Yamaha and Honda Racing bikes at Wonthaggi. The former enters with a tailwind of momentum after triumphing recently in New Zealand. Todd’s return to race shape is on the cards this year, and a steady build is the goal for the four-time MX2 national champion.
The Kawasaki MX1 field is loaded with talent and contenders this year, and a range of storylines are expected to unfold throughout the season—both from within the official team and privateer ranks.
Pirelli MX2
The Pirelli MX2 class will be headlined by defending champion and Honda Racing rider Brodie Connolly (Vic). Connolly claimed last year’s title by 90 points over second place in what was a season of domination, which the New Zealander will be looking to replicate.
Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Ryder Kingsford (NSW), Honda Racing’s Alex Larwood (SA), and KTM Racing Team’s Noah Ferguson (Qld) will be looking to mount a challenge for the title. This trio of riders has demonstrated front-running potential on multiple occasions; however, they will look to link their speed with consistency as they go after the defending champion.
Former MX3 champion Byron Dennis (NSW) enters his sophomore season as the KTM team’s second official 250 class entry, who, with his rookie season now under his belt, will look to fight inside the top five or higher as his confidence continues to build. In addition, Yamaha’s Jayce Cosford (Qld) will be strong as always, as well as Raceline Husqvarna TDub Racing team’s Rhys Budd (Qld), with both experienced racers looking to make a dent in Connolly’s advantage.
There is plenty of interest in the MX2 class, with all riders chasing the number one of Connolly in 2025.
MAXXIS MX3
With the departure of last year’s champion Jake Cannon to Europe, the title fight in the MAXXIS MX3 category is wide-open, awaiting any rider to grab the class by the horns. After a high-profile switch from Yamaha to Honda machinery, Honda Racing recruit Kayd Kingsford (NSW) is right at the pointy end of the list after finishing third last year.
Joining Kingsford at the top of the list is WBR Yamaha’s Ky Woods (NSW), with the young, talented racer gearing up to take the next step in his career following a move over to Yamaha machinery for this year.
Add in Honda’s Jet Alsop (Qld) and the KTM-mounted riders of Jackson Fuller (Qld), Cooper Ford (Tas), and Seth Shackleton (WA), and all the ingredients are there for a hard-fought season of MX3 action, with the door open for whoever assumes the lead position at the head of the field.
The MAXXIS MX3 class is full of anticipation, as a new future star of Penrite ProMX will emerge in 2025.
EZILIFT MXW
After three consecutive MXW class championships, Honda Racing’s Charli Cannon (Qld) is the rider to beat once again in 2025. The talented Queenslander enters as the favourite, with the field chasing down the number one and attempting to wrestle the top spot from her.
Adding to the anticipation of the MXW category at Wonthaggi, women from all over the globe will be in attendance, as this round doubles as the FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Cup, with a 38-rider strong start gate, including riders from New Zealand, the United States and Africa. This will serve up a plethora of contenders, with the MXW category one to watch across the weekend.
Challenging Cannon for the title will be the always-competitive 2024 runner-up Taylor Thompson (NSW) and Penrite Racing Empire Kawasaki’s Taylah McCutcheon (Qld), with both class regulars wanting to claim an elusive national title.
Wonthaggi is shaping up to be a brilliant round of EZILIFT MXW action, with an international line-up of riders taking up the fight to Cannon.
Fox Racing MX85
The Fox Racing MX85 Cup is gearing up to provide a lot of excitement this year, with the sport’s future stars on display at the season-opener in Wonthaggi.
Last year’s winner Seth Thomas (NSW) returns to the grid onboard GASGAS machinery, with the New South Welshman looking to make it back-to-back titles in the 85cc category. A range of riders will be looking to edge Thomas this time around, though, and claim this year’s trophy.
Yamaha Junior Racing’s Deegan Fort (WA), GASGAS-mounted Sidney Stephenson (Qld), and KTM’s Nate Perrett (Qld) – to name just a few of the capable young riders – will be looking to represent their respective teams well for the year and look to step up to the challenge.
Also in the mix will be Husqvarna Junior Racing Team’s Ethan Wolfe (NSW), with each rider making a case as to why they deserve to be the next up-and-comer to watch in Australia. It’s a big season in the Fox Racing MX85 class, with all the action set to take off in Victoria this weekend.
Gates will open at 8:00am on Saturday, March 22. Purchase tickets here to see Australia’s best motocross riders battle it out for season-opening honours.
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