As this weekend’s Monster Energy MX Nationals opening round at Broadford approaches us, MotoOnline.com.au has today launched our official Form Guide to provide an insight ahead of the new season. Today we have The Unknowns – a number of riders who rank as outside title chances – before on Wednesday and Thursday we’ll upload The Contenders and then finally, The Favourites. As you’re about to see, this year will be hard-fought across the board!

Image: Simon Makker.

MX1

Rider: Sam Martin
Team: DPH Motorsport Yamaha
Bike: Yamaha YZ450F
Title chances: 4/10
Rundown: After a full season in MX1 last year, Martin has proven he has the pace (including a Super Pole win at Swan Hill) to contend at times. That experience will pay off, so with a solid training structure and new-found Yamaha support he remains a real star of the future.

Rider: Brock Winston
Team: Husqvarna Motocross Racing Team
Bike: Husqvarna FC 450
2013 result: 3rd (MX2)
Title chances: 4/10
Rundown: Winston stormed to third in the MX2 last year as a privateer, and now under the wing of Craig Anderson in the factory Berry Sweet-backed Husqvarna team, expect big things from the Queenslander. He’s strong and determined, which will pay off over the course of the season as he gains comfort in the premier class.

Rider: Kade Mosig
Team: DPH Motorsport Yamaha
Bike: Yamaha YZ450F
2013 result: 19th (MX2 – part-season)
Title chances: 3/10
Rundown: The DPH team will be a good place for Mosig after a number of seasons affected by injury, now aboard a 450 fulltime. The combination of he and Martin is a promising one and we anticipate he will gain strength as confidence builds.

Rider: Brad Groombridge
Team: Byrners Suzuki
Bike: Suzuki RM-Z450
2013 result: N/A
Title chances: 3/10
Rundown: After pushing Billy Mackenzie all the way to third in the NZ series, Groombridge has what it take to upstage the Aussies if he can adapt to our competition quick enough. He’s a privateer over here, which will be tough at times, but he’s shown he has the skills at home.

Rider: Rhys Carter
Team: Motul Suzuki
Bike: Suzuki RM-Z450
2013 result: 6th (MX2)
Title chances: 2/10
Rundown: Perhaps the most surprising factory 450 signing of the season, Carter will have plenty of spotlight on him in MX1 alongside reigning champion Matt Moss. He was solid in MX2 last year and the team doesn’t have major expectations, so that will help him in a low-pressure environment.

Image: Andy McGechan/BikesportNZ.com.

MX2

Rider: Kayne Lamont
Team: Red Bull Husqvarna
Bike: Husqvarna TC 250
2013 result: 8th (MX2)
Title chances: 5/10
Rundown: Fresh from winning the New Zealand MX2 title in style and back aboard a two-stroke, Lamont will be a darkhorse this year after a quiet rookie campaign last year. We’ve rated him relatively high despite his privateer status, so now it’s up to him to meet rising expectations.

Rider: Daniel McCoy
Team: TM Racing Australia
Bike: TM 250MX
2013 result: 17th (MX1 – part-season)
Title chances: 4/10
Rundown: It’s difficult to judge where McCoy will be after a mixed 12 months, now TM’s lead rider in what is essentially his own program. He’s won rounds as recent as 2011 – last time he was in MX2 – so if he can re-adapt to MX after an off-season in the UK racing arenacross, his experience will pay off.

Rider: Geran Stapleton
Team: Raceline Suzuki
Bike: Suzuki RM-Z250
2013 result: 9th (MX2)
Title chances: 3/10
Rundown: No doubt one of the sport’s young talents, Stapleton knows he needs to improve upon his consistency this year if he’s to contend for the crown. If he gets momentum and with it confidence, he’ll get stronger and stronger on the RM-Z four-stroke.

Rider: Nick Sutherland
Team: Husqvarna Motocross Racing Team
Bike: TC 250
2013 result: N/A
Title chances: 3/10
Rundown: Also hard to rate right now, the last time we saw Sutherland outdoors at Coolum in the Two-Stroke Cup he was impressive. Like Winston he’ll benefit from Craig Anderson’s experience and his factory equipment should be well up to the task.

Rider: Joel Milesevic
Team: EMU Racing TM Australia
Bike: TM 250MX
2013 result: N/A
Title chances: 3/10
Rundown: Milesevic is highly regarded in Victoria and for good reason. With international experience and strong state form earlier this month, he could easily exceed expectations. His aim is top four as a rookie, so it’s just a matter of piecing the full season together, because raw speed is on target.