With the 2015 MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, firing into life this weekend at Horsham in Victoria, MotoOnline.com.au previews the season-opener in the first of our revamped Fan Guides for the new year.

Image: Jeff Crow.

Form guide

The favourites:
Matt Moss (MX1) – The defending two-time champion will come into Horsham once again as the favourite, despite some niggling injuries that have upset his pre-season. If he is at his best for round one as he insists he is, Moss is always difficult to stop.

Luke Clout (MX2) – As the reigning champion, Clout has to be the favourite entering round one despite a number of his opponents peaking in form. What Clout has is speed on his side, so without the pressures of leading the title we expect him to be fast from the outset.

The threats:
Kirk Gibbs (MX1) – Coming off a strong pre-season in New Zealand and as the current national number two, the KTM rider will come out firing at round one with momentum on his side. If he can win the opener and take a lot from that, his chances to take over Moss in the championship elevate dramatically.

Caleb Ward (MX2) – As a rookie last year Ward won three rounds, including a sweep of last year’s final round at Coolum. With results like that already to his credit, this talented teenager could run away with it at round one and the remainder of the year.

The darkhorses:
Adam Monea (MX1) – With his confidence growing by the season, Monea has displayed his ability on many occasions and will be looking to be a frequent threat for wins. If he can start the season with a victory, that momentum will be vital for Monea against Gibbs and Moss.

Jay Wilson (MX2) – After dominating the NZ titles and being let go by Serco Yamaha in the off-season, Wilson has both form and motivation on his side – with Josh Coppins in his corner as an added boost. Don’t be surprised if you see him go 1-1 on Sunday.

Rider lists

MX1:
1 Matt Moss
3 Adam Monea
5 Kirk Gibbs
8 Kade Mosig
9 Ford Dale
10 Cody Cooper
18 Aaron Tanti
26 Luke Styke
34 Daniel Banks
53 Tyson Whillas
63 John Phillips
65 Daniel McCoy
66 Tyler Lange
67 Nick Murray
80 Mathew McEntee
83 Jayden Conforto
86 Daniel McEntee
96 Kale Makeham
117 Dylan Long
122 Daniel Reardon
166 Damon Batterson
264 Izak Maule
347 Scott Green
410 Darcy Jones
414 Jesse Dobson

MX2:
2 Hamish Harwood
4 Luke Clout
6 Jay Wilson
7 Jack Simpson
O8 Peter Ferguson
12 Jed Beaton
14 Geran Stapleton
15 Luke Wilson
17 Caleb Ward
19 Corey Hamilton
23 Wade Hunter
28 Josh Adams
30 Joel Wightman
31 Geordie McGrath
33 Rhys Carter
35 Alex Morris
44 James Alen
45 Jake Lowe
52 Riley Graham
54 Luke Arbon
62 Joel Milesevic
64 Dylan Wills
74 Tom Jones
81 Joel Evans
82 Elijah Wiese
83 Joel Green
96 Kyle Webster
117 Kurt Gow
124 Mitch Norris
127 Gosling Dylan
188 Tomas Ravenhorst
199 Nathan Crawford
247 Jacob Williams
302 Kye Wilkinson
430 Dean Porter
432 James Jafer
757 Dylan Leary
888 Takeshi Katsuya

MXD:
J05 Jesse Madden
5 Wayde Carter
7 Connor Tierney
8 Joel Meikle
9 Corey Rockliff
10 Dylan Wilson
12 Joel Adamson
13 Sam Maynard
16 Kaleb Barham
17 Bailey Coxon
20 Lachlan Davis
23 Cody Jones
24 Luke Brandt
25 Jack O’Callaghan
26 Jake Salems
32 Travis Silk
36 Jayden Rykers
39 Brad Polsoni
41 Wilson Todd
43 Mitchell Evans
47 Toby Stevens
51 Zak Small
62 Nicholas Day
66 Ryan Shadbolt
68 Ty Pearce
82 Lachlan Holroyd
88 Jordan Hill
93 Mitchell Conforto
94 Levi McManus
98 Brodie Sheidow
159 Cameron Grayson
163 Hamish McGrath
168 Zhane Dunlop
188 Trent Wheatley
198 Luke Abela
203 Zac Berinati
214 Jaiden Corrigan
219 Lachlan Wilson
227 Zac Williams
256 Bailey Behagg
264 Brendan Pyers
265 Jamie Harvey
277 Bailey Gudgeon
315 Jackson Coulson
327 Cory Watts
357 Wyatt Fogarty
500 Jimmy Griffin
602 Lochie Latimer
714 Jonte Reynders
851 Ty Lynch

Rising Star Rookies:
2 Jackson Davison
10 Will Campagnolo
14 Brock Healey
17 Jake Pfeiffer
18 Mason Semmens
21 Jackson Flaherty
22 Angus Gelly
27 Riley Dukes
33 Cody Dyce
34 Callum Norton
37 Ryan Kenney
41 Royce Anell
46 Hunter Lawrence
48 Chandler Burns
72 Hugh McKay
78 Brock Waterworth
80 Nicholas Luksich
217 Cooper Pozniak
225 Brendon Walther
285 Joel Cigliano
286 Drew Cigliano
288 Michael Driscoll
323 Aaron Mason
377 Shane Mason
738 Wade Kirkland
751 Deon Javni

Circuit location

Dooen Recreation Reserve
Henty Highway, Dooen, VIC

Event entry

Adults $30.00
Kids (5-15) $20.00
Kids (under five) free
Family (two adults, two kids 5-15) $70.00

Event schedule

8:30am Motul MX2 practice/qualifying
9:00am Monster Energy MX1 practice/qualifying
9:30am GoPro MX1 Super Pole
9:40am Pirelli MXD practice/qualifying
10:05am Rising Star Rookies practice/qualifying
10:20am Official opening
10:40am Motul MX2 moto one
11:25am Monster Energy MX1 moto one
12:10pm Pirelli MXD moto one
12:35pm Lunch
1:25pm Rising Star Rookies moto one
1:55pm Motul MX2 moto two
2:35pm Monster Energy MX1 moto two
3:20pm Pirelli MXD moto two
3:55pm Rising Star Rookies moto two

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Live streaming:
Live streaming via series partner NRGTV will be available to view on Sunday via MotoOnline.com.au to compliment our website and social media coverage at each and every round of the 2015 season.

MXN Mag:

2015 series calendar

Rd1 – 29 March – Horsham, VIC
Rd2 – 12 April – Appin, NSW
Rd3 – 26 April – Broadford, VIC
Rd4 – 17 May – Murray Bridge, SA
Rd5- 31 May – Coolum, QLD
Rd6 – 5 July – Raymond Terrace, NSW
Rd7 – 19 July – Shepparton, VIC
Rd8 – 2 August – Nowra, NSW
Rd9 – 23 August – Toowoomba, QLD
Rd10 – 30 August – Coolum, QLD