Team Australia ready for 2024 Motocross of Nations

Team Australia’s quest for ultimate success in the FIM Monster Energy Motocross of Nations (MXoN) will take it to Matterley Basin in England from October 4-6 with star-studded trio Kyle Webster, Hunter Lawrence and Jett Lawrence carrying the nation’s fortunes. Words: MA

After an MXoN best finish of second in 2023, anticipation is high that the MXstore-backed Team Australia can finally wrest the coveted Chamberlain Trophy after five decades of participation.

All three Honda riders have displayed exceptional form in 2024, with Webster winning the premier MX1 class in the ProMX Championship, while the factory-backed Hunter and Jett Lawrence have been powerhouses in America on their CRF450RWEs.

Jett has won two titles – AMA Supercross as a rookie and the SuperMotocross World Championship – while Hunter finished second in Pro Motocross and SuperMotocross.

With his exceptional form in the just-completed SuperMotocross title, 21-year-old Jett dispelled any fears that his return from a mid-year injured thumb – which scuppered his Pro Motocross campaign – would come with an asterisk.

Instead, Jett’s return has been superbly enterprising – the type of sizzling form that could go a long way towards Australia winning the MXoN for the first time.

Jett will ride in the Open class at the Hampshire track, with Hunter in MXGP and Webster in MX2. The latter will be making his first MXoN appearance since 2019.

Australian team manager Michael Byrne, himself a former MXoN representative, is exuding an air of cautious optimism.

“One thing I’ve learnt about the Motocross of Nations over the years is it that it doesn’t give out its rewards easily,” said the American-based Byrne.

“But the one thing that gives me great confidence heading into this year’s event is that our riders are fit, full of confidence, amazingly talented and have phenomenal work ethics – traits that go hand in hand with MXoN success.

“Kyle’s ProMX season has been exceptional, and I know from personal experience how tough Aussie motocross championships are to win. And the Lawrences are simply box office stars, and I’m confident if they produce their absolute best it’ll go a long way towards Team Australia winning the Chamberlain Trophy.

“The team is now all together in England, and the vibe is already sensational ahead of making our way to Matterley Basin to get into race mode.

“We can’t wait to perform on the big stage, and we know there is a huge amount of support coming from Australia – and a lot of Aussies here as well – which is absolutely brilliant.”

A total of 37 teams are competing in the 2024 MXoN, including 2023 champion France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain and the USA.

France will be utlising the same roster (Romain Febvre, Tom Vialle and Maxime Renaux) as last year, while Spain (Jorge Prado) and The Netherlands (Kay De Wolf) will have the recently crowned MXGP and MX2 world champions at their disposal.

Matterley Basin’s third time as MXoN host will kick off on Friday with a grand parade, and on Saturday qualification for the 19 spots in the main races will be held, with one spot remaining for the winner of the B final.

On Sunday, the 20 qualifiers will battle it out over three gruelling races – each class competing against each other once – to determine the overall winner.

Image: MA