The final round of the 2024 Penrite ProMX Championship at Queensland Moto Park delivered in every way possible, packed with storylines that you couldn’t script. We’ve compiled the direct takes from riders in this Quotebook feature.

MX1

Image: Foremost Media.

Jed Beaton (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team) – First overall:
It’s disappointing that I didn’t get the championship win and I could look back and find a heap of things that could make a difference, but in the end, this is how we finished and I feel I can hold my head high. I knew I was up against it, but I wasn’t going to roll over and winning races was my only hope, so that’s what I did. Congratulations to Kyle [Webster], he has been a great rival this year and he had to work for it today, so well done to him and his team. Thank you to everyone at the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy team for their efforts this year. As a group, we never stopped trying to be better and we fought it out until the end.

Kyle Webster (Boost Mobile Honda Racing) – Fourth overall:
Of course, I would have liked a better position in race two. I caught up to the guys in third and fourth but didn’t want to risk tangling with one of them. I did what was necessary, and I’m so relieved and grateful for everyone’s efforts. I love this team, the people, Honda, and all of our sponsors. This is very special!

Nathan Crawford (KTM Racing Team) – Eighth overall:
Things didn’t go my way again today, but looking at the big picture, there are still plenty of things to be proud of – I was one of only three guys to win races this year and I finished third in the points. It’s made me even more determined to be stronger again next year.

Kirk Gibbs (GasGas Racing Team) – Third overall:
In the first race I got a bad start, but I pushed through to fifth within a handful of laps and in the end I was credited fourth. My start to the second moto was better and I felt really good, but once I got myself into second I didn’t want to risk it and rode safely to the end. I was happy with that, to walk away and finish on a good note. All in all, I’m happy with my series, and four podiums is the most I’ve had in a while!

Todd Waters (Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team) – Sixth overall:
QMP has never been a track that I’ve got along with and today it was as fast and as technical as I’ve ever seen it. I started the weekend well, but I crashed in both of my qualifying laps in the Top 10 pole shootout, then I crashed again in the first race. The second moto I got into a good position early, then just focused on keeping up on two wheels and trying to put in a clean race to finish the year. Looking back on the season, I’m definitely not happy with how it finished up. At the same time, having to race, run the team, parent and run my own business has been a lot to juggle. We’ve made some good progress, though, and going forward we’ve got some great systems in place.

MX2

Image: Foremost Media.

Brodie Connolly (Polyflor Honda Racing) – First overall:
It’s been a dream year. I made a lot of changes, and it’s all paid off. I need to thank the families who supported me, the team, Polyflor, and Honda. I didn’t know if this would ever happen, and I’m so happy it has. I’m just so appreciative of everyone.

Jayce Cosford (Yamalube Yamaha Racing) – Fifth overall:
My goal was a podium today and felt I was capable of getting it done as my speed was good in practice and qualifying. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a great start in moto one and then was caught in a crash where I had no where to go. But happy to bounce back in the last one and finish the championship strongly. Thanks to the team for all their efforts and Joel who swings off the pit board every race.

Kaleb Barham (Yamalube Yamaha Racing) – Sixth overall:
Good day for me overall, although I would love to have a better start in race one. I thought I jumped pretty good but got a pinched off and lost some spots. My championship was interrupted with a wrist injury which hurt me in the points but there were plenty of good moments to go along with it and as a team, we never stopped working.

Ryder Kingsford (Yamalube Yamaha Racing) – Fourth overall:
I didn’t ride great in that last race and didn’t have the pace to get to the front, but overall it was a much better weekend than last week and I was at least back in the fight and able to finish the year with third which is a good reward for the myself and the team. After a few years with injuries and some racing missed with covid, this became a good learning year for me and I gained a lot from it. I can already see the things I need to improve and where I can be a better rider and racer.

Kayden Minear (KTM Racing Team) – Second overall:
Looking back on it all, I’ve had an awesome season. It started off rough and I rode the first couple of rounds still recovering from injury. We pushed through everything and we got challenged a lot, but to see how far I’ve come since then has been amazing! Two good starts put me in a good spot today. I focused on my riding, not the championship, and I feel like I rode really well and finished the season strong.

Rhys Budd (Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team) – Ninth overall:
It’s a special feeling being a dad now and I wanted to have a strong weekend, but it just wasn’t quite there. Even though I got a bad start to moto one, I was happy with my riding, especially on a track that was hard to pass on. In moto two I got a better start and tried to click off laps, but I felt like I got a flat rear tyre, so I pulled off to check it. I lost a few positions and didn’t feel completely comfortable out there, even though my pace was still good. I wanted to finish the championship with a bang, but I’m healthy, heading home safe, and ready to start preparing for the supercross season.

Jack Mather (Raceline Husqvarna Racing) – Seventh overall:
All in all it was a good weekend and I’m happy with how the season finished for me. Qualifying didn’t quite go to plan, but to finish with two good seventh-place results in the two motos and finish 10th in the championship was a solid rookie season for me. I learnt a lot the whole way through and I’m glad I could finish the season strong and healthy.