What we’ve seen from Repco Honda Racing’s Wilson Todd two rounds into this year’s Penrite ProMX championship is nothing short of remarkable, and is the perfect demonstration of how motocross athletes are some of the toughest on the planet. With a laundry list of injuries, Todd is showing a ‘no quit’ spirit, currently sitting sixth in the MX1 class standings.

After a dominant run of two successive MX2 class championships drawing a close on his quarter-litre motocross career in 2023, Todd made a much-awaited full-time transition to the MX1 category in 2024, tipped by many to be a contender in the class from the outset.

A 3-5 moto scorecard in Wonthaggi and fourth overall opened his career on the 450, however, shortly after round two in Horsham, the Queenslander would find himself sidelined after sustaining friction burns in a freak practice incident that required skin grafts and surgery to repair.

Image: Foremost Media.

Missing the majority of ProMX that season, he made a brief return to racing at the final rounds, although he was then met with another incident, this time coming as a result of a misjudgment while supercross training – without even falling. A torn lisfranc in his right foot ended his SX2 season before it began and put his 2025 ProMX campaign in jeopardy due to the extensive recovery time.

Todd declared leading into the opening ProMX round in Wonthaggi this year that he was pretty far from 100 percent, and that a ‘slow burn’ back to form would be on the cards for this season as he continued to ride both his body, timing, and fitness back into shape after spending the best part of 11 months off the bike.

Pretty gnarly so far, right? Then, despite being far from full strength, the number six posted the fifth-fastest qualifying time after making the premier class superpole session at Wonthaggi, showcasing the speed that makes him one of – if not the most – successful domestic MX2 rider ever.

Image: Foremost Media.

The story continues, however. A flat tyre sustained during a local race in Gillman between rounds one and two of this year’s ProMX championship left the 27-year-old on the ground hard once more, this time resulting in a collapsed lung, a fractured leg, and damaged ribs. Despite all this, he lined up for Appin, finishing in sixth place overall in what is nothing short of a herculean effort.

“Yeah, I had a big one [crash] at Gillman after getting a flat tyre through the rollers, and ended up with a collapsed lung, fractured leg and some broken ribs too I think,” commented Todd after Appin. “[I] Spent the night in the hospital, and, to be honest, I wasn’t planning on racing today. We were just going to see if I could ride some laps in practice, which we managed, and then we went racing.

“It’s some pretty dark times, to be honest. I’ve still only got 15 hours on my bike this year, and it’s hard when it feels like you’re making no progress. It’s a bit depressing, but we’re working at it, and we’ll get out of the hole one day.”

Image: Foremost Media.

Put simply, it’s a proper gladiator effort – as tough as it gets, facing both the physical and mental battles of such a journey. It’s also a testament to the Yarrive Konsky-led Honda Racing effort to stand by their rider’s side who has delivered the team so much during what is undeniably a challenging moment in his career.

As the saying goes, though, it’s always darkest just before the dawn. This effort will be remembered as one of the gnarliest in the sport, and one would think that with his potential, that Todd will be back battling for the top step once he recovers back to full strength and fitness.