Image: Foremost Media.

Honda Racing’s Max Anstie has commenced his 2022 Australian Supercross Championship (AUSX) charge in the best possible way, taking the SX2 victory at Melbourne’s opening round.

Anstie produced a clinical performance to take the first main event victory of the season, swiftly making his way into the lead and charging to a 10.2s victory in what was a race of attrition.

Cole Thompson (Serco Yamaha) rode to a credible second, however by the time he moved into second he was unable to get within striking distance of the number 99.

A measured performance from Nathan Crawford saw the KTM Racing Team rider finish a comfortable third, 18s ahead of Kaleb Barham (Husqvarna) in P4 as Jai Constantinou (Empire Kawasaki) rebounded from his heat race crash to take the chequered flag fifth.

After running off the track past the whoops, Rhys Budd (Yamalube Yamaha Racing) finished sixth, ahead of Noah Ferguson (GasGas Racing Team) and Jye Roberts (WBR Yamaha) in P8 who received a penalty for cutting a turn. Geran Stapleton (GasGas) and Tomas Ravenhorst (KTM) rounded out the top 10.

Notably, Wilson Todd (Terrafirma Honda Racing) crashed during the first lap on the dragon’s back after a bad start which forced him out of the race.

Haruki Yokoyama (Empire Kawasaki) fell heavily in the whoops, and Bailey Malkiewicz (Serco Yamaha) was unable to finish the race after crashing in a rhythm section, laying trackside in a visible amount of pain.

Jayce Cosford (Yamalube Yamaha Racing) also ran into troubles with an opening lap crash at the dragon’s back, then getting a tuff block wrap stuck in his rear wheel. He ultimately finished P14.

The championship continues next weekend at the Adelaide Showgrounds, with Anstie gaining the early red plate.

Detailed results