Image: MXN.

More than 140 athletes are set to converge on Wonthaggi this Sunday with healthy entries confirmed for the 2017 Motul MX Nationals season opener.

Three championship classes – Thor MX1, Motul MX2, Pirelli MXD – and the Yamaha Junior 125cc Cup make up the 142 strong competitors who will take to the track in five days’ time.

“With only a few days until the first races kick-off for the year, we’re very excited to confirm that we have big numbers in all of our classes,” Motul MX Nationals series promoter Kevin Williams, of Williams Event Management (WEM), commented.

“Our premier Thor MX1 class has more than 30 riders lining up on Sunday, a number of which have the ability to win races. We have in excess of 40 competitors in the Pirelli MXD class, which really shows the strength of the sport from a grass-roots level.

“We’ve been working very hard during the off-season to put together the Motul MX Nationals package for 2017 and fans can expect some world-class racing when bikes line-up on Sunday. With so many competitors taking to the track this weekend, the atmosphere is going to be fantastic and we’re very excited to be kicking off the season with such healthy rider numbers across all classes.”

With five days remaining until gates drop for the first time in 2017, there are currently 42 entries for the Pirelli MXD class, 34 riders in Motul MX2, 31 competitors in Thor MX1 class and 33 athletes in the Yamaha Junior 125cc Cup.

The official Motul MX Nationals entry lists released include the addition of Russian Aleksandr Tonkov, entered for the MEGA Bulk Fuels Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team, despite not currently being announced by the Queensland-based organisation.

It’s also been announced that the 2017 Motul MX Nationals will feature a refreshed race-day schedule, which will see bikes on track earlier and additional time for circuit preparation, ensuring the highest level racing every weekend.

Last season, practice and qualifying commenced at 8:30am every Sunday, however in 2017 the Motul MX2 class will kick off their timed sessions from 8:00am, followed by the Pirelli MXD class, feature class and the Thor MX1 riders will wrap up practice, qualifying and GoPro Superpole at 10:00am. Racing kicks off at 10:25am.

As well as the increase in time for track maintenance in 2017, the all new race day schedule includes an extended lunch break, which will allow fans greater opportunity to mingle with riders, attend autograph signings and take in all the Motul MX Nationals has to offer off the track.