Today it continues, MotoOnline.com.au’s exclusive Form Guide ahead of the Monster Energy MX Nationals. Yesterday we had The Unknowns, before today The Contenders lists riders who are real title threats. And tomorrow? The real deal – The Favourites ahead of the 2014 championship.

Image: 64MX Photography.

MX1

Rider: Jay Marmont
Team: CDR Yamaha
Bike: Yamaha YZ450F
2013 result: 7th (MX1)
Title chances: 7/10
Rundown: After two disappointing years in green, this is Marmont’s chance to get back to his best aboard his favoured YZ450F. He’s succeeded at CDR before – four times to be precise – but this year will be one of the toughest yet. Pin-point consistency and sheer speed will be essential, which he has within him.

Rider: Cody Cooper
Team: Penrite Honda
Bike: Honda CRF450R
2013 result: 4th (MX1)
Title chances: 7/10
Rundown: Coming off a third NZ crown, Cooper will be looking to make the most of his switch to Honda and finally translate his form to Australia. He’s quick, no doubt, but needs to display that across a full season. The complete focus of Honda in MX1 on Cooper could be exactly what he needs to take the next step.

Rider: Kirk Gibbs
Team: KTM Motocross Racing Team
Bike: KTM 450 SX-F
2013 result: 5th (MX1)
Title chances: 6/10
Rundown: Gibbs is coming in under a slight injury cloud, but aside from that, he’s said to be in peak form. He starred as a rookie last year and will only get better for 2014. If he reels off early results, confidence could take him straight to the front.

Rider: Adam Monea
Team: National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki
Bike: Kawasaki KX450F
2013 result: 8th (MX1)
Title chances: 6/10
Rundown: Determined and tough, Monea again proved he’s amongst the best of the best last year. Experience will help him a lot, so if he can channel his ability into race results week in, week out, there’s no reason he can’t win races and a lot of them.

Image: Chris Ritchie Foto.

MX2

Rider: Jay Wilson
Team: Serco Yamaha
Bike: Yamaha YZ250F
2013 result: 2nd (MXD)
Title chances: 7/10
Rundown: Wilson rides off of confidence, in which he’ll need plenty as an MX2 rookie. The talent’s there, the team’s there and his experience is there despite his first-year MX2 status – it’s really just up to him to perform at his best to reach his ultimate potential. He’ll be very, very solid.

Rider: Ryan Marmont
Team: Raceline Pirelli Suzuki
Bike: Suzuki RM-Z250
2013 result: 4th (MX2)
Title chances: 6/10
Rundown: If anyone’s going to benefit from experience in this class it’s Marmont. A former champion with a good team behind him, he will certainly be consistent. If he’s build raw speed in the off-season and he can focus on the job at hand (not easy as a business owner), the championship is well within reach.

Rider: Dylan Long
Team: BBF Motorsports KTM
Bike: KTM 250 SX-F
2013 result: 5th (MX2)
Title chances: 6/10
Rundown: The stability on Long’s side entering this year will serve him well, as will a dedicated support team that know he can run amongst the front. After a strong supercross season, he could really establish himself as a podium guy from the outset this year.

Rider: Brenden Harrison
Team: Instant Security KTM
Bike: KTM 250 SX
2013 result: N/A
Title chances: 5/10
Rundown: Harrison will make a welcome return to MX this year and has a blend of experience, speed and confidence to draw from. As long as he stays injury-free he will gain strength, which will play in his favour as the season goes on. Don’t rule him out.