The opening round of the 2016 Motul MX Nationals kicks the season off at Horsham, Victoria, this Sunday, with an all-star field assembled across the championship categories.

Image: Greg Smith (iKapture).

Form

Our picks:
Dean Ferris (MX1) – When you look at the New Zealand series, Ferris was the man to beat, even if he did ultimately lose out to Cody Cooper in the title race. As part of CDR Yamaha, which hasn’t won since 2012, the returning MXGP rider will be in form.

Caleb Ward (MX2) – As a factory KTM Motocross Racing Team rider this season, Ward has all the potential in the world to win it all in 2016. There will be plenty of competition to overcome, but we’re tipping him for the opening round win at the least.

Next best:
Todd Waters (MX1) – Like Ferris, Waters has all the ingredients in place to win this weekend. The Wilson’s team is somewhat unproven as a factory effort, but they will quickly get up to speed with an A-list rider and be in contention all year long.

Jake Moss (MX2) – To see a rider with the credentials of Jake Moss in MX2 makes for interesting bench racing. Will he be able to match the intencity of the younger riders upon return? We’re betting he can and he’s looking ready to go.

Outside chances:
Brett Metcalfe (MX1) – Yet another international in the mix, we’d tip Metty for the win straight up aside from the fact he’s had a limited pre-season with SD3 Husqvarna. Still, if it clicks on Sunday – and it probably will – he’ll be able to win.

Dylan Wills (MX2) – We saw him win races last year as a full-on privateer, so now with the Raceline KTM team and on a 250 SX-F, look for Wills to hit the ground running and be right there in the mix from the outset.

Watch for:
MX1 – Kirk Gibbs, Matt Moss, Dan Reardon, Kade Mosig, Jay Wilson

MX2 – Wade Hunter, Wilson Todd, Jed Beaton, Luke Arbon, Kale Makeham

Rider lists

MX1:
1 Kirk Gibbs
6 Jay Wilson
8 Kade Mosig
11 Aaron Watts
12 Lachy Steen
15 Luke Wilson
20 Jack Foley
24 Brett Metcalfe
34 Daniel Banks
37 Jacob Wright
47 Todd Waters
62 Joel Milesevic
67 Nick Murray
70 Lawson Bopping
87 Michael Mahon
94 Eddie Brown
102 Matt Moss
111 Dean Ferris
117 Dylan Long
122 Daniel Reardon
123 Kurt Wightman
134 Jayson Tough
166 Damon Batterson
222 Michael Menchi
264 Izak Maule
410 Darcy Jones
414 Jesse Dobson

MX2:
2 Wilson Todd
3 Jayden Rykers
6 Jake Moss
9 Kale Makeham
11 Ricky Latimer
12 Jed Beaton
17 Caleb Ward
18 Aaron Tanti
20 Lachlan Davis
22 Jordan Waters
23 Wade Hunter
25 Bailey Coxon
26 Jake Salems
34 Boyd Hocking
30 Joel Wightman
44 Brock McLeary
51 Jayden Conforto
52 James Alen
54 Luke Arbon
61 Elias Dukes
64 Dylan Wills
66 Meghan Rutledge
80 Mathew McEntee
83 Joel Green
86 Richie Evans
86 Jessica Moore
91 Michael Fehlhaber
96 Kyle Webster
97 James Clay
100 Allister Kent
103 Stephen Krop
107 Darren Schenk
117 Kurt Gow
118 Trent Wheatley
132 Brandon Johnson
151 Nick Sutherland
153 Hamish Harwood
178 Karl Claridge
188 Tomas Ravenhorst
199 Nathan Crawford
208 Josh Adams
249 Jedidiah Cornthwaite
306 Geoffrey Chalmers
430 Dean Porter

MXD:
5 Wade Kirkland
7 Connor Tierney
16 Kaleb Barham
17 Cooper Pozniak
21 Tyler McCoy
22 Angus Gelly
32 Travis Silk
34 Blake Parker
35 Danielle Foot
43 Mitchell Evans
46 Hugh McKay
57 Wyatt Fogarty
74 Travis Tough
84 Brock Waterworth
88 Jordan Hill
105 Jackson Coulson
116 Sam Pelz
121 Tyler Bullen
127 Cory Watts
139 Lawson Preston
168 Zhane Dunlop
195 Justin Hart
198 Luke Abela
225 Brendon Walther
237 Zak Small
271 Jai Constantinou
277 Bailey Gudgeon
311 Ryan Kenney
314 Will Campagnolo
317 Jake West
320 Jack Mentha
417 Jake Pfeiffer
602 Lochie Latimer
887 Billy Harth

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-8:55am Motul MX2 P/Q
9:00am-9:25am Pirelli MXD P/Q
9:30am-9:50am Feature Class P/Q
10:00am-10:30am Thor MX1 P/Q
10:30am-10:40am GoPro Super Pole
10.40am Official Opening
10.45am-11:20am Motul MX2 Moto 1
11:25am-11:50am Pirelli MXD Moto 1
12:05pm-12:40pm Thor MX1 Moto 1
12:40pm-1:25pm Lunch
1:25pm-1:45pm Feature Class Moto 1
1:55pm-2:25pm Motul MX2 Moto 2
2:35pm-3:15pm Thor MX1 Moto 2
3.20pm-3:45pm Pirelli MXD Moto 2
3:50pm-4:10pm Feature Class Moto 2

Live streaming:

Livestreaming 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 2016 season.

Event program:

2016 Motul MX Nationals calendar:
Rd1 – 3 April – Horsham, VIC
Rd2 – 17 April – Appin, NSW
Rd3 – 1 May – Broadford, VIC
Rd4 – 22 May – Murray Bridge, SA
Rd5 – 29 May – Wanneroo, WA
Rd6 – 3 July – Nowra, NSW
Rd7 – 17 July – Conondale, QLD
Rd8 – 31 July – Shepparton, VIC
Rd9 – 21 August – Toowoomba, QLD
Rd10 – 28 August – Coolum, QLD

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