Image: Foremost Media.

Improved rider entries for this weekend’s season-opening round of the 2018 Australian Supercross Championship indicate the series and discipline has strengthened domestically.

In May it was revealed that promoter of the prestigious Monster Energy AUS-X Open, AUS SX Holdings, obtained the rights to the championship, establishing greater consistency within the series and cementing a pathway of growth for the sport.

Saturday’s first round at Jimboomba in Queensland will see 18 riders line up in the premier SX1 class, while the highly-competitive SX2 category will boast a mega 33 contenders.

The greatest influx of entries is witnessed throughout the junior divisions, with 15 riders confirmed for the 85cc class, as 11 youthful athletes will take part in Junior Lites, signifying a growing presence of aspiring supercross talents.

“The depth of fields competing in this year’s Australian Supercross Championship is a testament to the strength of the series in 2018 and proof that we’re making a mark on the global stage,” said an Australian Supercross Championship spokesperson.

“Both SX1 and SX2 classes are the strongest they’ve been in many years and we’ve seen an influx of young, aspiring riders join the series as they look to develop their skills to a world class standard.

“The racing is going to be intense across all five rounds and at this stage it’s impossible to guess, who will leave Sydney with the number one plate on 10 November.”

Gates will open at 10am on Saturday morning for Jimboomba’s opener, which will run a unique day schedule that’s set to see the event wrap up prior to 6pm.