AORC contender Matt Phillips was a surprise contender in the Under 19s at round one of Super X.

Yamaha Australian Off Road Championship ace Matt Phillips proved his versatility with a solid debut podium in the Under 19s class at round of the Monster Energy Super X series in Melbourne last weekend.

The Ballard’s Yamaha regular will ride alongside the GYTR Rockstar Yamaha team during Super X, coming off a dream season in the off-road ranks where he won multiple AORC rounds Outright, wrapped up the E3 title and also made a huge impact at the ISDE.

Contested in muddy conditions last Saturday night, 18-year-old Phillips proved he can mix it with the nation’s quickest rising stars in supercross as well, with third overall.

“I got a great jump from the start and was up front early,” the Tasmania reflected. “The top three of us managed to get a good break over the field, but I wasn’t prepared to race over my head at round one as I have so much going on in the coming months.

“I just kept the gap of the riders behind me and kept it on two wheels to the finish.”

Phillips will contest the entire five-round series in the Under 19s ranks, eying a return to t