Source: Supplied.

Multi-time Australian champion and KTM Motocross Racing Team manager Jay Marmont has revealed his favourites ahead of this weekend’s Monster Energy AUS-X Open at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, just one year on from when he earned a heroic podium at the prestigious event.

With the factory KTM outfit solely fielding Egan Mastin in the SX2 division, Marmont declared that Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing duo Jason Anderson and Dean Wilson, along with current SX1 points leader Justin Brayton (Penrite Honda Racing) are his favourites to take out the top spot.

While he’s tipping the internationals to win, he believes dual Australian motocross champion Dean Ferris (CDR Yamaha) also stands a chance of being victorious, stating the number 111 could be dark horse with a local crowd behind him.

“For me, there’s probably two guys that I would see as being the favourites, and that would be Anderson and Brayton,” Marmont revealed to MotoOnline.com.au. “But obviously you can’t write off Dean Wilson, he’s a guy that in my eyes is good at racing the international races, I really believe he embraces that a lot.

“Those three guys are my favourites, and as far as an outsider that could probably knock the three off would be Ferris if he gets a good start, because I know he will ride a wide bike. I believe he will probably have the crowd getting behind him as one of the leading Aussies – I think he could be a dark horse to take out a main event as well.”

With a wealth of experience under his belt in tight indoor racing, Marmont emphasised starts will be the key to the race, although ensuring you’re in a good position throughout both nights is just as crucial.

“The start is always definitely a main factor at an indoor,” he continued. “And just hitting your marks and being strong in every race, from my experience of indoor and last year, there’s a lot of racing throughout the two days, so it’s putting yourself in a good position and making the most of every time you’re out there. Sometimes that can slowly wear you down over the weekend, so it all has to start from qualifying to try and make into the main event early.”

The 11-12 November event will run in conjunction with the Australian Supercross Championship, hosting rounds four and five of the six-stop series.