Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium played host to the AUSX Open over the weekend, which proved to be arguably the most exciting and intense round of the 2024 Fox Australian Supercross Championship. We’ve compiled the direct takes from riders in this Reflection feature.

SX1

Image: Foremost Media.

Jed Beaton (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team) – Second overall:
It’s been a good championship for me and one that I have really enjoyed. As soon as the ProMX championship was over, I got to work on Supercross as it has been so long since I had done it but it’s rewarding for me to see that effort show on the results page and I think I still have more improvement in me. The CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team have had my back all year and my bike was awesome for in both championships. My brother Ross put in a big effort to get me up to speed and it’s been a fun few months getting out of my comfort zone and racing in stadiums again. I’m already thinking about next year’s championship and how I can improve.

Matt Moss (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team) – 16th:
It’s been a hard supercross season and one that I’m so disappointed in. I was pumped to get the CDR ride, and the team have been great, but the results just haven’t come. I put in so much work before round one, but it’s been a real struggle since then. I really wanted to finish on a good note and for the first time I felt good on the bike on race day. My speed was good, I liked the track and thought I could give it a good crack, but crashes in the last two races meant a frustrating end to the season. Thanks to Craig [Dack] and the team for giving me the chance, I just wish I was able to give both them and myself better results.

Joey Savatgy (Quad Lock Honda Racing) – Fourth overall:
We may not have won the battle tonight, but we won the war. This has been an amazing championship, and I’m thrilled to take home my first Australian title. I can’t thank everyone enough.

Dean Wilson (Quad Lock Honda Racing) – Third overall:
Losing the championship is tough because it means so much to me. But I gave it everything I had and came up just short. I’m proud of my results and how I rode

Nathan Crawford (KTM Racing Team) – Eighth overall:
It was up and down night. It’s no secret I’ve been fighting through a few things, but at the end of the day I was really happy that I could end the night and season with a good result. Finishing sixth in the last final, against a field that was so stacked was good, and I’m really happy to end 2024 on a good note.

Dylan Wills (GasGas Racing Team) – 11th overall:
I had a big crash on the triple during qualifying and injured my left ankle, and it was really painful whenever I had to shift gears. I got it strapped and treated to the point where I could ride the night show, but the pain got worse and worse as the event went on. Towards the end it was almost unbearable. It’s a bummer and it’s not the way I wanted to end the year with the GASGAS Racing Team, but I can hold my head high that I went out there and gave it a crack tonight.

Jack Mather (Raceline Husqvarna Racing) – Ninth overall:
It was a good experience to go up against some of the guys that I’ve looked up to. My first final was good and I managed to find a good rhythm, but I crashed in the second race, then had to try and come back from a bad start in the last one. Overall though, I’m pretty happy to have finished eighth in my first SX1 championship and to wrap up a good year with the Raceline Husqvarna TDUB Racing Team.

SX2

Image: Foremost Media.

Shane McElrath (Polyflor Honda Racing) – First overall:
It’s unreal. I’m thrilled with the bike, the team, and what we accomplished together. I can’t thank everyone enough.

Cole Thompson (Boost Mobile Honda Racing) – Second overall:
I aimed to pass my teammate Connolly in points, and I achieved that. I made too many mistakes this year, but my speed was there. Second is better than third, and this team and bike are incredible, which is clear when we take 1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall

Brodie Connolly (Polyflor Honda Racing) – Fifth overall:
I came in with an open mind and learned so much from my team and teammates. This is a great foundation, and I know exactly what to work on for next year.

Alex Larwood (NFAL Honda Racing) – Fourth overall:
This season has been a great experience. I know what to expect next year, and I’m looking forward to improving.

Ryder Kingsford (Yamalube Yamaha Racing) – 12th overall:
I haven’t been able to ride much with these injuries so while I have been able to keep my speed, my finesse has gone away, and I feel a bit rushed out there. I’m just making some silly mistakes or putting myself in a tough position and it’s costing me in results. I have one more race to go at Abu Dhabi and then I get some time off the bike and get back to 100% health.

Phil Nicoletti (Yamalube Yamaha Racing) – Eighth overall:
Thanks to Mike, Joel and the Yamalube team for looking after me this weekend. I planned to race a 450 here but this was a cool thing to do, and the guys made sure I had everything I needed. I didn’t get the result I wanted, but I actually felt pretty good on the track. I was able to make some passes and get towards the front in each race, it was just a shame I couldn’t finish it off. But I had a great time, and the Aussie fans were awesome so I would love to come back and do it again next year.

Kayden Minear (KTM Racing Team) – Third overall:
There’s no better way to finish the year than on the podium! I had three really good starts and rode really well all day, especially in the second race that I initially won. Unfortunately, they told me afterwards I was penalised two spots for jumping under a red cross flag that I didn’t see, so that was disappointing, but my speed was there all day and I’m happy with how I’m riding. My KTM was unreal and it was great to be able to show my true potential out there tonight.

Joel Evans (Raceline Husqvarna Racing) – 10th overall:
It’s been great to have had the opportunity to ride for the Raceline Husqvarna TDUB Racing Team this weekend. It was my first experience with a team, and to do that at the biggest supercross race we’ve ever held in Australia is pretty awesome. My day started well and I was happy with how I rode in the first two finals, but I had a crash in the last race and it took me a while to get going again. It was disappointing to end the night like that, but I’m still stoked on the opportunity I was given this weekend.