ProMX ’23: Penrite ProMX Championship set for mega round four at Maitland
The 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship, presented by AMX Superstores, resumes this weekend, May 6-7, with a mega two-day format as the fight for the Thor MX1, Pirelli MX2, and MAXXIS MX3 titles continues, in addition to the second 85cc WJMX Qualifier event of the season.
If you can’t make it to Maitland, we have still got you covered, check out our comprehensive guide on how to watch and follow all of the action with the Official ProMX Event Program.
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Thor MX1
Rain-soaked conditions last time out at Wodonga provided an immense challenge for all competitors, with some key contenders suffering DNFs and looking to the three motos this weekend to redeem important points. With one of those races coming on Saturday and a pair on Sunday, it will be all to play for in an important round.
It was Jed Beaton who splashed his way to the overall victory in the third round, and now the Boost Mobile Honda Racing rider will be looking for the top step once again in Maitland to extend his 14-point Thor MX1 advantage.
KTM Racing Team’s Kirk Gibbs is the closest challenger, points-wise, to the red plate, and has shown solid form throughout a variety of conditions this year. The question is, can he secure an elusive 2023 Thor MX1 victory at Maitland?
Wodonga wasn’t the best weekend for Yamaha riders in the premier class, and despite Brisbane Motorcycles rider Dean Ferris winning the second moto, a non-finish in the opening race meant he lost precious points.
Likewise, reigning champion Aaron Tanti (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy) and teammate Luke Clout both suffered a DNF or a low score in Albury, eager to regain lost ground as the pair enter this weekend P6 and P8 in the Thor MX1 standings, respectively.
Boost Mobile Honda Racing’s Kyle Webster was also among those not to finish in race one at Albury, but he is a proven winner and will be looking to get his season back on track this weekend. Likewise, former national champion Todd Waters (Raceline Husqvarna Berry Sweet Racing) and Brett Metcalfe (GO24 Penrite KTM) will be ones to watch when the gates drop!
Pirelli MX2
While much of the Pirelli MX2 focus has been centered around defending champion Wilson Todd (Terrafirma Honda Racing) and the lightning-fast Nathan Crawford (KTM Racing Team) this year, it was Honda Racing’s Brodie Connolly stole the show last time out in Wodonga.
The New Zealander took a commanding moto one victory and did what he needed to in race two to secure the overall, now eight points from his teammate entering this weekend. It seems as Connolly is going from strength to strength since joining Polyflor Honda Racing this year, but will he be able to rise again in Maitland and perhaps grab the red plate?
While Todd holds the Pirelli MX2 lead, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for him in 2023 as he has battled to regain 100 percent fitness across the opening races. The general feeling was he just rode to survive in the muddy, deeply-rutted Albury conditions, but with three weeks since the last round to further build, this could be the weekend we see him return to form.
Looking at Crawford, he has won more races than anybody this year, but a DNF in the first Albury bout marked his second non-points score of the season. Despite rebounding to take a convincing moto two victory, he is currently fourth in the Pirelli MX2 standings – behind standout rookie teammate Kayden Minear in third – and 30 points from the red plate.
As always, you can never count out the Serco Yamaha riders Jesse Dobson and Rhys Budd, with Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Jayce Cosford also a contender and notably second in the opening moto at round three. Add in privateer standout Kaleb Barham (Husqvarna), also Matt Moss transferring to the quarter-litre class for this round, and the MX2 racing is sure to be thrilling this weekend.
Maxxis MX3
With three motos this weekend in the MAXXIS MX3 category, Maitland is set to be a pivotal round in terms of the way momentum swings at the halfway point of the season.
After his race two win was reinstated from Wodonga, GASGAS racer Byron Dennis now leads the MAXXIS MX3 standings by two points ahead of Jack Mather (Husqvarna), with Ky Woods (GASGAS) three points further back in third.
Notably, fourth-placed Liam Owens will be absent this weekend as he has ventured to Europe for an opportunity in the EMX250 Championship, but there are a number of hard-charging riders within the category to ensure there will certainly be no shortage of action this weekend.
MX85 WJMX Qualifier
The final MX85 WJMX Qualifier will also feature at Maitland. The goal of the 85cc WJMX Qualifier is to develop and identify riders who have the potential to race in the World Junior Motocross (WJMX) event on July 8-9 in Romania. The chosen rounds of the ProMX Championship have tracks that are like the planned WJMX track in Romania and the race length will be similar to the international event.
Our junior hopefuls will be a part of the ProMX livestream telecast and will see the top three presented with trophies and participate in a full ProMX-spec podium ceremony. The single moto at Wodonga saw Seth Thomas (GASGAS) win from Jack Nunn (GASGAS) and Lachlan Vincent (KTM), before moto two didn’t eventuate because of the brutal conditions.
Bikes will be on track from 9:00am on Saturday, commencing with MX3 practice. Each class will have practice and qualifying on the opening day, with the first Thor MX1, MAXXIS MX3, and MX85 WJMX Qualifier Cup motos scheduled to take place.
On Sunday, the action commences at 8:20am with Pirelli MX2 warm-up, with motos two and three of the Thor MX1 and MAXXIS MX3 classes to feature, in addition to moto two of the MX85 WJMX Qualifier Cup and both motos of the Pirelli MX2 category for the round. Fans will also enjoy a selection of grandstand seating and be able to follow the action on the big screens from trackside.
Watch ProMX this Sunday
LIVE TV
Sunday TX 1.00pm – 4.00pm AEST
- SBS Sport
- Stan Sport
- Sky Sports NZ
LIVE STREAM
Sunday TX 09.30am – 12.05pm
INTERNATIONAL
- Eurosport – Check your local guides
- MotorVision Europe – Check your local guides
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
