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The 2023 KTM Australian Junior Motocross Championship (AJMX) is in the books with national champions crowned following the near week-long event hosted by the Acacia Hills Motocross Club in the Northern Territory.

Finishing no lower than second across the five 128cc to 150cc 2/- & 200cc to 250cc 4/ 15 years finals, Liam Owens (Husqvarna) wrapped up the national title in the category ahead of Ky Woods (GasGas) who won finals one, two and four, before a P7 finish in the fifth bout proved costly. Kayden Strode (Honda) completed the top three.

Following an appearance in the Junior Motocross World Championship, Woods prevailed to take the national title in the 100cc to 125cc 2/ – 15 years class, leading Patrick Butler (KTM) and Owens who suffered a zero-point score in the first final.

Number 65, Seth Shackleton (Honda), emerged on top in four from five 128cc to 150cc 2/- & 200cc to 250cc 4/- 13 to under 15 years finals to secure the overall, leading final three winner Cooper Rowe and Lachlan Morris.

Taking the honours in 100cc to 125cc 2/-13 to under 15 years, Rowe swept all five finals with Max Compton and Sonny Pellicano (Yamaha) securing silver and bronze respectively.

In the Female 100cc to 150cc 2/- & 200cc to 250cc 4/ 13 to under 16 years category, Danielle McDonald (Yamaha) won four from five finals to be crowned champion, ahead of last year’s title winner Madi Simpson (Honda) and Darci Whalley (Honda) completing the top three.

Delivering when it counted, Jackson Fuller (KTM) won the 85cc 2/- & 150 4/- Standard / Big Wheel 14 to under 16 national title, with Compton winning finals two and four on his way to second overall, just three points behind Fuller. Cooper Phillips (KTM) completed the top three.

It was Bella Burke (KTM) who reigned supreme in the Female 85cc 2/- & 150 4/- All Wheels 12 to under 16 years ranks, edging Kyrah Mancinelli (KTM) and Stephanie Turnbull inside the top three.

The 85cc 2/- & 150 4/- Standard / Big Wheel 12 to under 14 years class saw Lachlan Allen – who competed recently at the Junior Motocross World Championship – stand tall, ahead of final three winner Peter Wolfe and Cooper Ford.

Meanwhile, KTM-mounted Ollie Birkitt was the one to beat in 85cc 2/- & 150 4/- Standard Wheel 9 to under 12 years, winning two of the three finals on his way to the overall in front of Sidney Stephenson and Nate Tomerini. Final three winner Ethan Wolfe was fourth overall.

Looking at the 65cc categories, Connor Feather, Nate Perrett and Wolfe were first, second and third respectively in the 65cc 2/- 10 to under 12 years class.

In the 65cc 2/- 10 7 to under 10 years, Nico Verhoeven claimed the Australian title with Liam Millard and Lewis-Jay Carafa standing on the podium in second and third. Notably, Kye Sproule won the first final in the class, but a zero points in race four proved costly to his chances of an overall podium.

In 50cc auto 7 to under 9 years, Hudson Francis won three from five to take out the overall, leading Rowdy Rabjones who scored victories in final one and four on his way to silver. Nate Forwood completed the top three.