Image: Jeff Crow.

The SXD category will return to action at this weekend’s Energy Logistix third round of the 2015 Australian Supercross Championship presented by Penrite Oil on Saturday, 31 October.

Initiated specifically to give Under 19s riders the chance to gain valuable experience in major national events before taking on the SX1 or SX2 ranks fulltime, the SXD class competes over four rounds of the six.

This weekend’s Adelaide supercross will be the second outing for the SXD young guns, after the opening round at Bathurst, NSW, which saw GYTR Yamaha riders Mitch Evans and Jordan Hill paint the podium blue with a one-two result.

Behind them, QB4/KTM Australia-backed Kaleb Barham rounded out the top three after previously being sidelined for three weeks after being knocked out at the final round of the MX Nationals.

For Cairns-based Evans, it was a stunning result in what was his first-ever supercross race under lights: “I think I like this whole supercross deal! I liked the night time atmosphere and while the track at Bathurst was pretty tough and got rutty in places, you just had to watch your lines and stay focused. It was so good to get the win and start the championship with both myself and Jordan on the podium for GYTR Yamaha.”

Evans, who is the cousin of fellow North Queenslander and top SX2 contender, Jackson Richardson, is ready and raring to go for the SXD championship’s second round, but the same can’t be said for his teammate Hill. Hill is out of action this weekend, after a recent practice crash left him with bruised ribs and a bruised sternum.

After Saturday’s Adelaide Showground contest, the SXD entries will continue their four-round title fight at Jimboomba, Queensland (21 November), and Sunshine, Victoria (5 December).

Supercross fans should go to www.ticketek.com.au to book their tickets, with all online pre-purchase tickets enjoying a special $5 discount on prices at the gate.