The Australian Supercross Championship clicked over the halfway mark last weekend at round three in Virginia, South Australia, which served up another intriguing night of racing. Both categories are still wide open and up for grabs, although there are still favourites to win based on their current form. MotoOnline.com.au takes a look at the top contenders in this latest edition of Rated.

Image: Jeremy Hammer (Foremost Media).

Rider: Justin Brayton
Rating: A+
Rundown: He’s the defending champion and he’s dominated the opening three rounds, so Justin Brayton is a clear favourite to lock up the title. The three circuits so far this season have been vastly different, although the Penrite Honda Racing rider has showcased his versatility, negotiating them all with class. At this point, it’s going to take something drastic for the American to be denied of the title.

Rider: Dean Ferris
Rating: A-
Rundown: CDR Yamaha’s Dean Ferris has been extremely strong this supercross season, which is exactly what we expect of him. He’s currently 13 points down on Brayton, although with his current form, a main event victory is imminent, which is sure to boost his confidence, and that only spells trouble for his rivals.

Rider: Dylan Long
Rating: B
Rundown: We’ve always known CDR Yamaha’s Dylan Long has been capable of being a title threat, so it should come as no surprise that he’s doing exactly that. Sitting third in the standings with a podium to his name, Long is on a surge of results at the moment, and that’s only the beginning. While he’s a further chance away from the crown, you can’t count him out at all.

Image: Jeremy Hammer (Foremost Media).

Rider: Dan Reardon
Rating: B-
Rundown: It’s safe to say Dan Reardon’s season hasn’t been what anyone initially anticipated, but it’s never too late to turn his results around. The Mega Fuels Monster Energy Kawasaki ace is 23 points out from the top spot, so it’s crucial for him to capitalise at the AUS-X Open, where he will not only be in his element, but there’ll be a host of internationals that could interrupt the standings.

Rider: Wilson Todd
Rating: A-
Rundown: Following the exit of SX2 leader Gavin Faith (Penrite Honda Racing), it leaves the quarter-litre category wide open heading into the second half. Wilson Todd has been a surprise contender this year, taking his maiden win last weekend to position himself second in the points. If he can retain the consistency, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him with the number one plate at Jimboomba;s finale.

Rider: Jackson Richardson
Rating: A
Rundown: With the number one already fitted to his Serco Yamaha, Jackson Richardson knows exactly what he needs to do to earn the 2017 crown. Richardson has been improving from round to round as he recovers from a shoulder injury, and sits just two points shy of Todd in standings ahead of Sydney. We’re suspecting he’ll nab a victory next week, which will put him right to the top of standings.