Image: Foremost Media.

This year’s battle between established American Justin Brayton and Aaron Tanti in the Fox Australian Supercross Championship (AUSX) ‘validates’ the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy rider’s form at a global scale, according to Aussie icon Chad Reed.

It’s been a breakout year for Tanti on a 450 since signing with CDR, winning the national MX1 championship and the Adelaide round of AUSX, besting four-time champion and the ever-competitive international Brayton in South Australia.

The number nine was also strong at the opening round of AUSX in Melbourne, leading Brayton throughout the race to ultimately finish second. He entered Newcastle as the joint red plate-holder with the Honda Racing rider, a title battle that Reed believes is building strong foundations for Tanti’s future.

“What I love about the SX1 one class is the difference…” Reed said as an onlooker in Newcastle last weekend. “You’ve got a rookie in Aaron in the 450 supercross class, then you have got someone who is a four-time reigning champion, just recently retiring from [US] racing.

“You’ve kind of got the rookie versus the older guy. In so many ways I’ve been in that conversation, I think what Aaron brings to the table is really cool and unique, and I think that is what makes it – no matter the outcome, what’s cool for Aaron is that Aaron is going against somebody who is on a bit of a world tour, just recently raced in Paris, did really, really well.

“[Brayton’s] also somebody who is competitive, racing with Eli Tomac, Cooper Webb, Ken Roczen and Marvin Musquin, so when you have an Aaron Tanti going against somebody, putting up against good numbers against somebody who is some really good, tough competition, it puts Aaron in a conversation with some American teams.

“For me, I look at the bigger picture, not the short-term goal. Aaron only probably looks at that part, he wants to win, he wants to win now, but for me, I look at the foundation that he is creating and he is building, and I think that Justin Brayton validates the result and the outcome.

“Whether that is winning or second, I think that is a good outcome for Aaron, so for me, that excites me looking at the broader picture of it rather than that back and forth right now.”

Unfortunately for Tanti, he crashed out of the lead during the second final at Newcastle, falling heavily and bumping his head on impact. That brought an end to his night, and he will seek medical clearance ahead of the final round this weekend in Wagga Wagga.

Tanti has revealed an international transition is on his agenda, notably competing in the World Supercross Championship (WSX) this year with CDR in SX2, finishing third overall at Marvel Stadium after winning a final. He enters the last round of this year’s AUSX third in the standings, 12 points back from Brayton following his early Newcastle exit.