The MX Nationals are reaching new heights in 2010, with sizeable crowds turning up to enjoy the thrilling action, triggered by revolutionary formats.

AUSTRALIAN MOTOCROSS
This weekend marks the third round of the 2010 Rockstar Energy MX Nationals, where Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor Racing’s Todd Waters will lead the way in the Pro Open with the red plate.

With a format of one 20-minute moto followed by two back-to-back 15-minute motos, consistency will once again be key, however outright fitness will be rewarded as well.

It’s at this point in the series that riders are beginning to work out where they stand in the pecking order, so it’s time to sink or swim for many who have had slow starts to the season.

In my eyes after Canberra, the series is shaping up to be a battle between Waters and defending champion Jay Marmont, while Billy Mackenzie will be eager to claw back points after dropping from first to eighth in the standings after a nightmare day in the ACT.

Marmont travelled to Melbourne earlier this week to do some testing with his all mighty CDR Rockstar Yamaha team, however rain ultimately spoiled the test for the team.

JDR Motorex KTM’s PJ Larsen was visually frustrated with his crashes at Canberra, you could tell he wasn’t happy with third on the podium, losing his red plate to South Australian Kirk Gibbs in the Pro Lites.

Larsen still seems like the pace-setter of the Lites, but both Gibbs and Serco Yamaha teammate Ford Dale are building momentum so it’s going to be interesting to watch.

Plus, we can’t forget Kawasaki riders Cody Mackie or Luke George, who have what it takes if they put a weekend together at their best.

Rockstar Motul Suzuki’s Lawson Bopping proved in Canberra that he is good enough outdoors, but he’ll be looking to continue his form at Broadford away from what was his home round at Fairbairn Park.

Also keep an eye out for Matt Ryan, the Husky rider who put in a very solid performance in the final race at Canberra.

We’ll once again be at Broadford updating direct from the track, with out new Pit Pass image gallery scheduled to be uploaded Sunday morning, followed by the video interviews before lunch and then the race reports etc afterwards.

AUSTRALIAN SUPERBIKES
Congratulations to 2008 ASBK champion Glenn Allerton and fiancé Alana, who gave birth to a baby boy named Judd at 6:31am this morning!

The good news is that Judd ‘waited’ while Allerton was in Malaysia for the Asian Road Race Series season opener last weekend at Sepang, so it is great news for the new family.

AMERICAN SUPERCROSS
Last weekend saw Ryan Dungey officially crowned the AMA Supercross Champion, becoming the first rookie since Jeremy McGrath to win the title at his first attempt.

The thing with Dungey’s title is that it’s now also an official world title, so that’s a pretty cool feather under his cap to have for the 2010 season.

Now that the Supercross title is in the books with two rounds to run, most will be beginning to focus on outdoor testing so they get a head start once the series begins next month.

Aussie Chad Reed has been racing while awaiting the birth of his first baby boy, but the big question will be his motivation heading into this year’s Nationals.

Some have said that he’s not as focussed as once before, but the fact is that he does have the number one plate and has achieved more than any other Aussie in the sport, so the choice is most definitely his.

MOTOGP
Heading into this weekend’s round of MotoGP at Jerez, has anybody heard if Garry McCoy and the FB Corse team will be on track as originally scheduled?

The word from the Italian team is that McCoy has been somewhat sick recently, however scheduled testing seems to be delayed and a cloud of confusion essentially sits over the team’s status on the entry list.

What’s interesting is that after those initial Valencia tests in Spain, the team has pretty much started from scratch with an all-new frame and heavily revised three-cylinder engine.

Anyhow, let’s hope for Australia’s sake that Casey Stoner can work his magic against his Euro and American rivals to score a victory at the Jerez Circuit come Sunday.

WORLD SUPERBIKE
The stability of teams in Europe again seems questionable, this time in another unfortunate circumstance for Australia’s dual World Supersport Champion Andrew Pitt.

Pitt sat out the Assen round last weekend due to financial restructuring on the team, which basically meant that they weren’t prepared to compete unless the bike was further developed.

With Pitt’s misfortune on what is a promising team utilising the brilliant BMW S 1000 RR, plus Chris Vermeulen and Broc Parkes’ injury woes, this season is turning out to be a frustrating one for the Aussie contingent.

In saying that, how good is it to see Troy Corser and the factory Beemer running up front recently? I have a feeling that the team’s first win isn’t too far away following their recent form.

That’s it for today, thanks for reading once again!