With the Penrite ProMX Championship set to drop the gates this weekend at Wonthaggi, the stage is set for yet another intense eight rounds of MX1 and MX2 competition. Can Honda continue last year’s dominance or will new contenders instead rise to the challenge? MotoOnline narrows down the 2025 title prospects in our annual ProMX predictions Input feature.

Image: Foremost Media.

Kane Taylor:
MX1 – 1. Jed Beaton 2. Kyle Webster 3. Luke Clout
MX2 – 1. Brodie Connolly 2. Ryder Kingsford 3. Alex Larwood

For competition’s sake, I’d like to be wrong, although I think contender-wise we’re in for a reasonably predictable ProMX season. Entering his second year with CDR Yamaha, I’ll say Jed Beaton tops the MX1 class, with last year’s champion Kyle Webster in the mix throughout. From there, I’ll take Luke Clout for P3 as he has blazing speed, although I don’t believe he has enough – consistently – to seriously challenge the top two. In MX2, I’ll go out on a limb here and pick Brodie Connolly. Domination last year, [Kayden] Minear is now Stateside – it’s far-fetched, I know, but I think he likely defends. The two remaining places on the podium could be a good scrap – how about Ryder Kingsford and Alex Larwood. They were in the mix at Wonthaggi’s Victorian state round in February, so I’d expect them to do the same throughout the championship. For now, que any rider who has spent the last 2-3 years in Dagestan and been forgotten to emerge from the woodwork…

Dylan Wills:
MX1 – 1. Jed Beaton 2. Kyle Webster 3. Nathan Crawford
MX2 – 1. Brodie Connolly 2. Byron Dennis 3. Ryder Kingsford

It’s really hard to pick against the reigning champ, but in this case we have to be mindful of the fact that both Kyle Webster and Jed Beaton tied on points for the MX1 crown last season, with the nod going to Webster in the end due to more overall round wins. While it’s really hard to pick a winner between these two guys, I think it is fairly predictable that they’ll be the cream of the crop in the premier class, but I’m going to give it Beaton. I think he’ll have that extra bit of hunger, especially after coming up short last season. It gets hard from here but, do I give it to Nathan Crawford? Do I give it to Luke Clout? I think they’re going to be the next best, but at the same time, we’re also well aware that they both have what it takes to run up there with Webster and Beaton. I’m putting Crawford third at this stage though, he was solid in his first season on the KTM 450 SX-F and the only guy to get race wins outside of Webster and Beaton. I can see him making gains and being consistently up the front for sure. Then in MX2, I can’t go past Brodie Connolly since he’s got that dog in him, he’s the defending champion, he dominated last year, so I don’t think much more needs to be said here. Byron Dennis is a sleeper for me, because if he can stay healthy he’s going to be right up there at the pointy-end. If you actually watch the races and don’t just look at the results sheets, you’ll know exactly what I’m saying – the kid is ultra talented and when he’s on, it looks like he’s doing it quite easy, so look for him to take the lessons learned last year and be a threat. Same goes for Ryder Kingsford, speed-wise he’s a freak and he can do some crazy stuff on a dirt bike. My only knock on Kingsford is just his ability to link the whole thing together. I’ve watched him race before – Maitland last year, for example – and thought to myself, ‘he’s going to win every race for the rest of the season’. Obviously injuries and things happen, but that’s the next step I want to see from him, if he can stay healthy and make those bad motos a second, third or fourth, I think he makes a run at this thing. I also put Noah Ferguson in the same category as Kingsford, where on their day they’re ridiculously fast, but when it comes to putting together all eight rounds, there seems to be a missing link in there.

Alex Gobert:
MX1 – 1. Kyle Webster 2. Jed Beaton 3. Nathan Crawford
MX2 – 1. Brodie Connolly 2. Ryder Kingsford 3. Byron Dennis

I can’t see the shape of this MX1 national championship changing a lot compared to last year, although I’m thinking (or at least hoping) that it could potentially be tighter at the top in terms of how close the chasing pack can get to Kyle Webster and Jed Beaton. As of now though, it still appears that Motocross of Nations hero Webster is in an upward trajectory that could result in multiple title-winning years to come if he continues to execute when it counts, but Beaton – who is surprisingly the younger of the pair despite having an international career in the rearview already – will be there to capitalise if he doesn’t. As for P3, it has to be Crawford’s to lose, because I’d suggest that Luke Clout is more of an AUSX rider at this point even if he can win the odd-moto, Kirk Gibbs and Todd Waters have likely already peaked, and Wilson Todd isn’t yet at 100 percent fitness. As for MX2, usually when you dominate a 250 class title and choose to defend it per Brodie Connolly, it’s a natural choice to elect that rider as the clear favourite again. Can the likes of Ryder Kingsford and Byron Dennis challenge him, however? I’m not convinced that they will over the course of a season, but certainly on occasion. Why did I choose Dennis for P3, then? His ceiling is higher than most, as long as he can remain injury-free for his second year in the professional ranks. The next riders in line can’t be underestimated either – the likes of Alex Larwood, Noah Ferguson, Rhys Budd and Jayce Cosford, to name a group.

Image: Foremost Media.

Nic Still:
MX1 – 1. Jed Beaton 2. Kyle Webster 3. Nathan Crawford
MX2 – 1. Brodie Connolly 2. Alex Larwood 3. Noah Ferguson

I think for the 2025 season we’ll once again see Jed Beaton and Kyle Webster swapping race wins all the way to the final round. This time, I’m giving the edge to Beaton after finishing runner-up two years in a row – it’s starting to feel like a must-win season for him. Plus, we no longer see Jed as just a motocross guy, he’s proven he can excel across both disciplines, and there’s a lot to take away from that. As for that third spot on the podium, that’s a battle in itself. Who’s going to step up? Nathan Crawford? Luke Clout? I’m going with Crawford for that spot. When it comes to MX2, I expect Brodie Connolly to once again stamp his authority on the field. With a move overseas expected in 2026, what better way to close the chapter on his Australian motocross career than by becoming a two-time champion. As for his teammate, Alex Larwood, I believe another injury-free pre-season and his second year with the team will only elevate his performance. Could a return to the KTM Group be the key for Noah Ferguson? I think so. Last year didn’t go the way he would’ve hoped and I believe that only fuels his hunger even more.

Simon Makker:
MX1 – 1. Jed Beaton 2. Kyle Webster 3. Nathan Crawford
MX2 – 1. Brodie Connolly 2. Noah Ferguson 3. Ryder Kingsford

I believe 2025 is going to be another real dogfight between last year’s two contenders and regular training partners, Kyle Webster and Jed Beaton. Last year’s cliff-hanger finish proved just how little separates these two on the track, and it’s a real toss-up who’ll come out on top this season. I’m picking Jed to get one up on his rival, mainly because he learnt a lot from last year and the disappointment of finishing second on countback still tastes sour in his mouth. He’ll need every trick in his arsenal to beat Webster, though, who’s only getting stronger and faster as he reaches the prime of his career. A distant third for me is Nathan Crawford. He’ll certainly win races and possibly rounds, but unless he’s put in an exponential amount of work over the off-season, he won’t be able to consistently narrow the gap. In MX2, this year is Connolly’s to lose. He now knows what it takes to win titles, is relentless on all track conditions, and is now in his third year with the Honda team. I’m picking Ferguson to claim runner-up, just because his raw speed is second-to-none and he always refuses to give up. If he can iron out his errors, he’s certainly got moto and round wins in him. Rounding out the podium is Ryder Kingsford. He’s an excellent starter and enjoyed some great races last year, plus he is also capable of winning races, but needs to eliminate those bad motos that often seem to hamper his campaigns.

Trent Maher:
MX1 – 1. Jed Beaton 2. Kyle Webster 3. Kirk Gibbs
MX2 – 1. Brodie Connolly 2. Ryder Kingsford 3. Rhys Budd.

Now this one stings a little for me, because those who know me know I’m a big Kyle Webster guy, and seeing him win at QMP last year and how that final moto ended was epic, but I’m picking against him in 2025. Jed Beaton is entering year two with the CDR Yamaha squad on the YZ450F and is coming off the back of being the bridesmaid two seasons in a row by less than 15 points each time. Plus, let’s not forget about his stand-out supercross campaign. In fairness, I have both Jed and Kyle 1A and 1A… I mean, they literally tied on points last year they both were the best two riders of 2024, so I have them 1-2 again, but I’m giving the smallest advantage to Jed. In third, I just can’t go past Kirk Gibbs. Yes, he may be at the tail-end of his career, but the guy knows how to compete in a championship and has finished inside the top-five the last three years. I would bet we are standing at QMP come the first weekend in August and Kirk will be that final rider on the overall series podium. For MX2, Brodie Connolly was on another level from the rest of the field last year, and I feel that confidence will carry into this year, however, I don’t think it will be as easy as last year was. Ryder Kingsford I believe has taken a step and will apply a lot of pressure to the defending champ, but to me, Brodie backs it up by a narrow margin. In P3, I have Rhys Budd, because last year he had a lot on his plate with a new team, a wedding, and a baby on the way. In 2025 he’s back with the same team, more time on the steel-frame Husqvarna, and has a new on and off-bike program, so Rhys looks fit and back to the speed we saw a few seasons ago.