Image: Foremost Media.

A list of six top-level ProMX regulars will contest the Shanghai round of the 2024 MXGP World Championship as wildcards in China next month, led by Nathan Crawford, Todd Waters and Kirk Gibbs, alongside MX2 trio Brodie Connolly, Jayce Cosford and Byron Dennis.

It was already revealed at Toowoomba that Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team owner/rider Waters would be lining up at the event, with KTM Racing Team’s Crawford and GasGas Racing Team’s Gibbs also committing in the premier class.

Honda Racing’s Connolly – in line to seal the national MX2 title potentially as soon as next weekend at MX Farm – will headline the 250 class entries, to be joined by Yamalube Yamaha’s Cosford and GasGas Racing Team teenage talent Dennis if he is fit to race after injuring his hand at round six of ProMX.

The understanding is that the excursion will be largely funded as a promotional opportunity leading into next year’s Darwin round of the MXGP World Championship in September – the first time the grand prix series has visited Australia in over two decades – and that event will be hosted by the Northern Territory Major Events Company.

“This is a great opportunity for the riders compete on the international stage, in an FIM world championship where so many Australians and New Zealanders have performed with distinction in the past,” said Peter Doyle, Motorcycling Australia CEO.

“It’s certainly going to be a baptism of fire for the younger riders against seasoned MXGP competitors, but that’s what sport is all about – pushing yourself to the limit and taking on new challenges. The MXGP of China project will be a stepping stone as we build towards the MXGP of Australia in 2025.”

Waters, Gibbs and Crawford each have world championship experience, while Connolly has competed in the Motocross of Nations (MXoN) previously. Both Cosford and Dennis will be on debut on a grand prix scale.

The MXGP of China at the Shanghai International Circuit on September 15-16 will form the penultimate round of the 2024 MXGP World Championship, currently led by Tim Gajser (Team HRC Honda) in the premier class and Kay de Wolf (Nestaan Husqvarna) in MX2.

Leading ProMX MX1 duo Kyle Webster (Boost Mobile Honda Racing) and Jed Beaton (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy) will be notable absentees from the MXGP weekend, with Webster expected to be in the US preparing on a 250 to represent Team Australia at MXoN, while Beaton has opted to focus on his Fox Australian Supercross Championship return.