Monster Energy Kawasaki's Jay Marmont will defend his Pro Open supercross title in 2012. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Australia’s best supercross riders have a score to settle as they line up for what is set to be an explosive opening round of the Terex Australian Supercross Championships at Dubbo’s Morris Park Speedway on Saturday.

Four rounds and high-intensity main event finals mean few second chances – the title is there for the taking for the rider that is fierce and relentlessly fast.

The race for Pro Open honours is wide open and sees a number of significant changes, as just one of the top six finishers from 2011 remains on the same team.

One of the men with top form on his side is Motul Pirelli Suzuki’s Todd Waters.

Waters fought tooth and nail to finish a close runner-up to Josh Coppins during the MX Nationals Championship, and has strengthened his style against the best following a solid Motocross of Nations debut.

He’ll be one of many racing Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jay Marmont for the coveted number one plate.

Marmont has admitted he struggled to find his stride on the outdoors tracks and this has made him even more motivated to turn around an injury-affected year during the Terex Australian Supercross Championships.

Former World Motocross Champion, Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Ben Townley will line up for his first full Supercross campaign for a number of years, receiving last-minute medical clearance after recovering from an earlier injury.

“I’m just looking forward to getting behind the start gates again, it’s been a long time between drinks for me,” said Townley.

“I haven’t raced a supercross championship for a few years, the biggest thing for me and the team is to get out there and race four solid events and build on that foundation.

“It’s a different kind of intensity I guess, most of my racing has been motocross and while its fundamentally the same you do need to be super accurate and switched on 100 percent of the time.”

Many will recall Townley’s epic tooth-and-nail scrap with current AMA Supercross standout and then-teammate Ryan Villopoto during the 2007 season, a battle which illustrated his strength across both disciplines of competition.

Matt Moss’s 11th-hour shock switch to the factory Motul Pirelli Suzuki outfit will bring another credentialed rider with recent AMA experience to the title fight.

It’s the same team he won his Pro Lites Supercross title on in 2008 and 2009, so he has the advantage of an established working relationship on his side.

“Given the amount of time I’ve had I do feel really good and pretty comfortable on the bike,” said Moss. “We’ll give it everything this weekend and see what there is to work on for the remaining rounds – the team knows how I work and I know how they work which is good.

“This is my first season committing to a ride on the 450 since 2007, I’m definitely looking forward to that challenge again.

“There’s only four rounds to build a championship around so it’s going to be the guy who is on the podium each week and not making mistakes that’s going to be the one to beat.”

Moss’ Supercross strength is undeniable and he’ll be a strong chance at the 450 title after so much success in the 250 ranks.

Add the experienced Daniel McCoy, now teamed with CDR Yamaha, gun Honda privateer Jake Moss, Cheyne Boyd, who steps up to a 450 again, and young guns Lawson Bopping and Ford Dale plus many more, and the formula for an evenly-matched and entertaining battle is complete.

The Pro Lites field will pack a punch just as hard as the Pro Opens, with rivalries simmering in the off-season set to boil over once more.

Luke Styke, Kade Mosig, Josh Cachia, Gavin Faith, Scott Columb, Ryan Marmont, Steven Clarke and Luke Clout are just some of the riders to watch in what is set to be a closely-fought class battle.

The depth of talent within the Under 19, Junior Lites and 85/150 classes will only add to the incredible race action spectators can expect to see at Dubbo.

Adding to the excitement of Supercross action, Australia’s best freestyle motocross riders will take to the skies to put on an unmissable series of shows.

Between them, Jackson Strong, Cameron Sinclair, Josh Sheehan, Matt Schubring, Mark Monea and Jay Archer share an incredible array of X Games medals, X-Fighters wins and podiums and years of international tour experience.

Dubbo fans will also delight in seeing Australia’s first female FMX rider, Emma McFerran, throwing down tricks for the first time since a major crash in April.

Monster truck demonstrations, the kids’ Throttle Jockeys arena, fireworks, public pit walks, competitions and trade stalls will add to the complete event experience for guests.

Ticket Information (gate):
Children under 16: $20
Adults: $30
Family (2 adults, 2 children): $70

Opening Times:
Pits open 3:00pm-5:00pm
Gates open 5:00pm
Main racing begins at 7:00pm