ProMX ’23: Penrite ProMX Championship resumes with round two at Appin
The 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship, presented by AMX Superstores, will resume this Sunday, 19 March, with competitors in Thor MX1, Pirelli MX2, and MAXXIS MX3 to fire into action as the series returns to Appin, New South Wales, following the shortened opening round a fortnight ago.
Thor MX1
While Thor MX1 contenders did not complete a moto at Wonthaggi, the first round at the loamy, physically-demanding circuit still provided an early form indication as qualifying and the AMX Superstores Top 10 Shootout were completed.
For Boost Mobile Honda Racing’s Jed Beaton, the first round served as a promising start in his return to domestic competition, leading reigning champion Aaron Tanti (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy) in the AMX Superstores Top 10 Shootout, and Kyle Webster (Boost Mobile Honda Racing), who is regarded by many as a Wonthaggi specialist of sorts.Â
As is often the case, qualifying never tells the full story, but it must be noted that Luke Clout (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy) led the first session of the 2023 season in his return from injury. On the flip side, despite ending up seventh in the Shootout, you can never count out former triple champion Dean Ferris (Brisbane Motorcycles Yamaha), who often shines when it comes time for the gates to drop.
One particular rider to keep an eye on this weekend is Matt Moss, making his return to the Penrite ProMX Championship after racing supercross in recent months with success internationally. Moss takes the place of the injured Bailey Malkiewicz at WBR Yamaha and, while he has had limited time riding motocross in the build-up to Appin, the number 102 will be sure to throw a spanner in the works come Sunday.
Additionally, Kirk Gibbs (KTM Racing Team), Todd Waters (Raceline Husqvarna Berry Sweet Racing), and Regan Duffy (GASGAS Racing Team) are all proven MX1 contenders, plus seasoned privateer contender Brett Metcalfe showed no signs of slowing down and posted the fourth fastest time in the Shootout at Wonthaggi. With the first MX1 points of the season set to be handed out at Appin, it really is all to play for in round two.
Of significance, the Appin weekend will see a 25-minute plus one lap opening moto, followed by a two-part, back-to-back second moto of 13 minutes plus one lap in duration each, which will determine the overall.
Pirelli MX2
Reigning Pirelli MX2 champion Wilson Todd (Terrafirma Honda) leads the field into round two at Appin, remounting from late-drama in Wonthaggi’s opening moto that saw him brought down in a collision with Nathan Crawford (KTM Racing Team).
The latter was ultimately disqualified from his second position as a result of his ‘racing conduct’ and that in turn meant that Jesse Dobson (Serco Yamaha) was elevated into second position, with GASGAS Racing Team rider Noah Ferguson – fastest qualifier at round one – claiming third-place for the weekend.
Outside of the top three, the progress of 15-year-old Kayden Minear will be of intrigue, the MX2 class rookie credibly meeting his top-five aspirations at the season-opener and will surely be aiming to use that as a platform to build come round two. He was followed by Kiwi Brodie Connolly (Honda Racing) in P5.
It will be the simmering Todd and Crawford rivalry, however, that is sure to be a major talking point in the second round.
MAXXIS MX3
MAXXIS MX3 contenders will be chomping at the bit for their first gate-drop of the year, with a huge depth of emerging talent again to be on display at Appin.
Yamaha-mounted Jake Cannon led Liam Owens (Husqvarna) and Cambell Williams (Kawasaki) in qualifying at Wonthaggi, but they could be challenged by several highly-capable and proven young riders looking to open their 2023 points tally in the best possible way at round two.
Round two will see a traditional two-moto format across each of the competing categories, with the ever-popular and returning bLUcRU Yamaha YZ65 Cup also to be on track at Appin for the first time in 2023.
Bikes will be on-track from 8:00am local time, with the first moto of the round scheduled to commence at 10:05am, directly following the official Opening Ceremony. Each of the categories will feature full gates come this Sunday’s action.
Watch ProMX this Sunday
LIVE TV
Sunday TX 1.00pm – 4.00pm AESDT
- SBS Sport
- Stan Sport
- Sky Sports NZ
LIVE STREAM
Sunday TX 10.00am – 12.30pm
For more information on the 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship Presented by AMX Superstores, stay tuned to the website and social media channels:
Official Calendar for the 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship presented by AMX Superstores
