ProMX set for thrilling finale at QMP this weekend

Just six days after a dramatic penultimate round of the series, the 2024 Penrite ProMX Championship, presented by AMX Superstores, roars into action for a thrilling finale this weekend at Queensland Moto Park (QMP). Words: ProMX

Although Polyflor Honda Racing’s Brodie Connolly has already secured the Pirelli MX2 title for 2024, the two other regular classes – Thor MX1 and MAXXIS MX3 – are likely to only be decided after the chequered flag has fallen on the final motos of the season.

For the first time in the sport’s history, the final round of the series will be held at QMP over two action-packed days, giving race fans an incredible opportunity to witness world-class racing all weekend long.

Combined with two support classes, the sprawling, hard-pack QMP circuit is guaranteed to present some epic battles as the contenders put it all on the line one last time.

THOR MX1
After a season-long battle royale, the two contenders for the Thor MX1 championship – Boost Mobile Honda Racing’s Kyle Webster and CDR Yamaha Monster Energy’s Jed Beaton – will go head-to-head one final time at QMP.

The title might still be there for the taking, but the advantage now lies firmly in Webster’s favour after Beaton lost seven valuable points to his rival at MX Farm last weekend.

That means Webster now holds a slightly more comfortable 14-point lead with two motos left to run, and if Beaton wins both hitouts at QMP, Webster only needs to finish fourth or better each time to secure Honda’s first Australian MX1 championship in decades.

For Beaton, there’s now nothing to lose and everything to gain. He looked exceptionally strong at MX Farm, winning the second moto, but a first-turn crash in the opening race saw him scramble from last to finish P6 costing him valuable points. If he carries that same form into this weekend, he’ll be giving himself the best opportunity possible to snatch victory, should Webster stumble.

However, there’s a horde of other MX1 racers who are desperate to get themselves into the winner’s circle for 2024. Third-placed Nathan Crawford (KTM Racing Team) is up for the fight, as are GASGAS Racing Team’s Kirk Gibbs and Empire Kawasaki’s Luke Clout – both enjoying late season surges of form, while Todd Waters (Raceline Husqvarna Racing) also has plenty to prove after a disappointing result at Gympie.

This weekend could also mark the final opportunity to see Penrite GO24 Kawasaki mainstay Brett Metcalfe in action as a full-time professional following a decorated international career that he’s capped off at home in ever-impressive fashion.

Pirelli MX2
Although New Zealand talent Connolly has already wrapped up the title, there’s still plenty of pride and prizemoney to play for in the 2024 Pirelli MX2 championship.

Just seven points separate second from fourth in the series standings after seven unpredictable rounds of racing.

After MX Farm, KTM Racing Team’s Kayden Minear has jumped up to P2 in the class and leads Noah Ferguson (Boost Mobile Honda Racing) by just one point. Six markers back lies Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Ryder Kingsford, who’s still on the mend from a fractured lower leg.

For each of these riders, QMP presents a great opportunity to end the season strongly. Ferguson in particular has had a disappointing couple of rounds in his home state where he’s expected to be able to bring the fight to Connolly. QMP will be the last opportunity for him to prove himself and earn some redemption.

Slightly further back, Raceline Husqvarna Racing’s Rhys Budd logged his second podium of the year last weekend and will have confidence as a result, while Froth Honda Racing’s Alex Larwood continues to prove he’s got plenty of pace on all track surfaces after securing another podium result at Gympie.

MAXXIS MX3
It’s game-on for our MAXXIS MX3 championship hopefuls. The division is now the tightest of the championship classes, with just three points separating new leader Jake Cannon from long-time red plate-holder Koby Hantis.

It’s been a wild journey for Mongrel Boots Honda Racing’s Cannon, who started the season well behind Hantis, but has doggedly chipped away at the gap and finally seized control at Gympie.

Having led all year, WBR Bulk Nutrients Yamaha Racing’s Hantis was understandably disappointed to lose the red plate last weekend. He’ll now need to finish ahead of his title rival in both MX3 motos this weekend to retake the lead and win the championship he’d held onto for so long.

The WBR Bulk Nutrients Yamaha camp is all but guaranteed to lock down two of the three MX3 championship podium spots, as behind Hantis are his team-mates, Kobe Drew (third), Kayd Kingsford (P4) and Seth Burchell (P6).

However, barring something dramatic happening (and that’s always a possibility) at QMP, it’s likely to come down to a battle between Drew and Kingsford for the final podium spot.

EZILIFT MXW
For SCT Logistics Honda Racing’s Charli Cannon, it’s going to take an absolute disaster to not defend her EZILIFT MXW title and continue her dominance of the women’s class.

Cannon has been in a league of her own again this year and she’s comfortably won every moto and just two more races stand between her and a perfect season.

It’s worth noting that Cannon and Emma Milesevic (Honda) both raced last weekend at Gympie, stepping up to the MX2 class to stay race-ready for the QMP finale. After a day of hard racing, Cannon was unlucky to finish just out of the points with a 21-22 scorecard, while Emma showed plenty of determination on her way to a 26-28 result.

Although Cannon is the extremely short odds to claim the win at QMP, you can expect to see a big tussle for the minor placings.

Taylor Thompson (Husqvarna), Danielle McDonald (JGR Yamaha Off-Road Team), Milesevic, Taylah McCutcheon (Empire Kawasaki) and Madi Simpson (Honda) have all featured near the front of the pack in the three MXW rounds we’ve seen so far, and all of them are ready for one final showdown this weekend.

KTM Group MX65 Futures
He might’ve had to win both rounds on countback, but young Yamaha rider Blake Bohannon has taken charge in the KTM Group MX65 Futures series.

At the opening round at Maitland, Bohannon and Lewis-Jay Carafa (Husqvarna) split moto wins, then at MX Farm he shared 47 points with Sidney Stephenson (GASGAS).

With Carafa further back at Gympie and Stephenson not lining up for Maitland, Bohannon now holds an 18-point lead over Mason Ezergailis (KTM), with Kye Sproule (KTM) just two points further back.

The youngest racers in the paddock will line up for their third and final round of the series this weekend. They’ll again use the same full-sized track as their heroes, and ensure the racing continues thick and fast all weekend.

MXV Veterans
At the opposite end of the age spectrum from the 65cc class, QMP will also host a stand-alone round of MXV Veterans racing for the 30 to 39-year-olds, as well as the 40+ contingent, who will join the Penrite ProMX Championship action.

The one thing to keep in mind with this class is that the racers might be heading towards middle age, but they’re often just as fast and competitive as the younger generation – with the bragging rights some of the most important of all post-race.

Being a one-off round at one of the fastest natural-terrain venues of the 2024 championship, the Vets won’t take any prisoners and they’re not afraid to put the elbows out, bang bars and ride a wide bike if it means they’ll have a shot at the podium at the end of the round.

Image: ID Media Group