MotoOnline.com.au gazes into its crystal ball and throws out 10 predictions and expectations for the second half of the Monster Energy MX Nationals.

Luke Styke is now in the box seat to take out the 2013 MX2 title. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Bopping and Billy to win at least one more race each
CDR Yamaha will continue to gain a head of steam from now on. Billy Mackenzie already has a race win after dominating moto two at Broadford, but Bopping has yet to have his name etched in the 2013 race winners column. That will change at Hervey Bay where he stomped his authority last year, and I expect Billy to win at least one more race this year.

Appin will be intense
The flowing Appin circuit was tough for passing last year, creating some epic battles. The same will happen this weekend in all classes; every rider is desperate to start phase two of the championship on a positive note.

Styke will win MX2 before Coolum
Few would argue that Serco’s Luke Styke has been on another level this year. Carlton Dry Honda’s Josh Cachia has put up a serious fight, but barring tragedy, I think Styke will wrap the championship up one round early at Toowoomba.

Two of the top three MX1 championship spots will be held by Motul Pirelli Suzuki
Okay, I know this is a big call, but I think momentum has swung the way of the Suzuki factory team. Matt Moss won Broadford (round four) and Cody Cooper won Conondale (round five). Expect both these riders to finish the season strong.

Swan Hill will exceed expectations
Little is known about round eight of the series at Swan Hill, five hours northwest of Melbourne. Still, the club will be eager to impress and offer up the best track possible for their first attempt at hosting the MX Nationals. Being handy to Mildura, they should get a good crowd too.

Todd Waters is currently under an injury cloud following a broken collarbone two weeks ago. Image: Jeff Crow/Sport the Library.

Hamish Harwood will win MXD
Harwood has impressed me so far this year. He’s strong, mature for his age and gained valuable experience racing the world GPs last year. He’s said he’s held himself back so far this year, but will start putting his foot down as the Under 19s enters the halfway point of their eight-round championship.

Jay Wilson will bounce back
The GYTR rider has had a shitter of a time in MXD so far, especially in a series he was expected to win. A confidence-boosting fourth overall in his wild-card MX2 appearance at Conondale proves what he’s capable of. He just needs to steer clear of trouble and not overthink things.

There will be at least one more mudder
We’ve already faced some challenging conditions this year, but we’re smack-bang in the middle of a wet winter, heading into what’s predicted to be a pretty damp spring. There’s a greater than 50-50 chance that the elements will conspire against us before season’s end.

Hervey Bay will be a defining round
I’ve got a hunch that round seven will make and break seasons in both the MX1 and MX2 classes. Deep sand, a rough-as-guts track, desperation and fitness will separate the men from the boys.

Waters will survive
I’m not willing to bet on his overall position, but Motorex KTM’s Todd Waters will tough it out and be standing on the championship podium at the end of the season. His early dominance provided a valuable buffer over Matt Moss, but unless his broken collarbone seriously hampers his season, Waters will grit it out for a top three overall.