Image: Foremost Media.

A new 85cc Junior Motocross World Championship (WJMX) Qualifier Cup class will feature in two rounds of the 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship, with the goal to develop and identify riders who have the potential to race in the coveted WJMX event later this year.

The 85cc WJMX Qualifier Cup rounds will be held at round three in Wodonga on 16 April and round four in Maitland on 7 May, with the chosen venues similar to the planned WJMX track in Romania on 8-9 July and the race length also to be similar to the world event.

“We are excited at the addition of the 85cc WJMX Qualifier Cup in the ProMX championship,” said Motorcycling Australia Peter Doyle CEO Peter Doyle. “The 85 Class will provide a great opportunity for young riders to showcase their skills and develop their abilities in a competitive and challenging environment, while also giving them the opportunity to experience the pressure, conditions, fans, and distractions that they will face at the WJMX event in Romania.

“Further, this will bring the nation’s best juniors together more regularly. The ProMX championship is a great platform for young riders to take the first steps in their racing careers and the 85cc WJMX Qualifier Cup will provide them with the opportunity to take the next step in their development and compete on the world stage.

“The 85cc WJMX Qualifier Cup will be an important factor in the selection process for the WJMX event, but will not be the sole criteria. The chosen riders will be selected by the MA Junior Motocross Selection Panel based on their performances throughout the season.”

The 85cc WJMX Qualifier Cup will be a part of the ProMX live stream telecast and will see the top three presented with trophies and participate in a full ProMX-spec podium ceremony.