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Annual characteristic highlighting the winners and occasions of the 12 months passed by.
Within the 2022 version of the MotoOnline AUS Awards, we identify the main performers and storylines of the season previous in a mirrored image of home and worldwide competitors. These are executed purely for editorial functions, pieced collectively from an Australian perspective through what we witnessed in the course of the 12 months each regionally and overseas.
Picture: Foremost Media.
Nationwide Rider of the 12 months – Aaron Tanti:
It was a breakout 12 months on the 450 for Tanti, becoming a member of CDR Yamaha Monster Power and successful the Penrite ProMX Championship with pace and composure when it counted – his first nationwide title. He was additionally within the hunt in AUSX, successful spherical two at Adelaide to depart Wayville because the joint SX1 purple plate-holder with Justin Brayton. A head-knock at Newcastle in the end proved expensive, however the quantity 9 rebounded to win fundamental occasion two at Wagga Wagga to shut what was a profitable 12 months of racing. Outdoors of the home realm, Tanti additionally gained an SX2 closing within the World Supercross Championship finals at Marvel Stadium. Confirmed to defend his ProMX title subsequent 12 months with CDR and in addition contesting AUSX, will probably be intriguing to see how Tanti can elevate in 2023.
Worldwide Rider of the 12 months – Eli Tomac:
2022 was arguably Tomac’s most convincing but, exhibiting a lightning-fast tempo, robust psychological fortitude and excessive ranges of race-craft to win each 450SX and 450MX titles. Tomac managed a knee harm within the closing phases of Monster Power AMA Supercross so as to add one other title within the self-discipline to his credit score and recovered to win what was an exciting Professional Motocross battle with Chase Sexton (Crew Honda HRC). Including to his checklist of achievements as he debuted with Monster Power Yamaha Star Racing, Tomac was additionally a part of Crew USA’s Motocross of Nations (MXoN) successful effort at RedBud.
Off-Highway Rider of the 12 months – Kyron Bacon:
When the subject of rising expertise within the nationwide off-road scene is talked about, Bacon is on the forefront of the checklist. The youthful ShopYamaha Off-Highway Racing rider not solely gained the E1 class of the Yamaha Australian Off-Highway Championship (AORC), however was additionally the Outright champion within the collection. His 2022 success didn’t finish there, nevertheless, storming to an outright victory within the Australian 4-Day Enduro (AD4E) and was a part of Crew Australia’s Junior Crew that completed third within the class on the prestigious Worldwide Six-Days Enduro (ISDE).
Rookie of the 12 months – Dylan Wills:
Stepping as much as a 450 for Australian Supercross instead of Todd Waters at Husqvarna Racing Crew, Wills completely impressed and was capable of combine it up with the most effective and struggle for podiums all through the season. A formidable P2 in Newcastle’s Triple Crown was a spotlight, as was his swift adaption to the bigger capability platform and relative consistency all through the AUSX season for fourth within the closing standings.
Picture: Equipped.
Persona of the 12 months – Jett Lawrence:
We nearly gave the teenage Australian the Worldwide Rider of the 12 months honours, however couldn’t go previous Tomac in the long run. Fittingly, nevertheless, Lawrence is the perfect candidate for Persona. His steadiness between youth and professionalism is good, to not point out his apparent success on observe. Get set, as a result of likelihood is we’re going to be seeing much more of the Crew Honda HRC rider over the following decade and even longer! We’re right here for it. Of be aware additionally, right here at dwelling, from a complete totally different viewpoint, Kyle Webster additionally deserved to be named right here as the final word professional off-track and on.
Collection of the 12 months – AMA Supercross:
The 2022 Monster Power Supercross Championship delivered its share of motion, pleasure and challenges alongside the way in which, with many marquee riders debuting with new producers and surrounds. The collection itself noticed information damaged, former champions reborn and a brand new title-winner topped within the type of Christian Craig in 250SX West, with many intriguing storylines unfolding throughout the 17-round championship. Plus, there was no denying Jett Lawrence in 250SX East and Tomac in 450SX.
Most Anticipated Motocross Mannequin – 2023 Yamaha YZ450F:
Constructing on the class-leading energy supply, suspension efficiency and usefulness of the earlier mannequin, the highly-anticipated new YZ450F raises the bar with extra energy, much less weight, a slimmer design and improved dealing with in an much more usable bundle. Conventional robust factors of broad, torquey energy, plush suspension and predictable dealing with needed to be enhanced, however with a distinctly rider-centric focus for the brand new mannequin with a five-pound weight discount, elevated management and improved ergonomics. With Tomac reaching immense title success on the 2022 platform, many await with bated breath to see the extent of the most recent mannequin with gates drop at Anaheim 1.
High Crew – Honda Racing:
Yarrive Konsky’s Honda Racing staff has been a relentless presence on the pinnacle of Australian home competitors and 2022 was no exception. From a quarter-litre perspective within the professional ranks, the outfit was nearly untouchable with Wilson Todd dominating on his approach to a 3rd MX2 crown and Max Anstie reaching a near-perfect SX2 season to seize the title. In MX1, Dean Ferris gained on a number of events all year long and was within the championship hunt proper down the ultimate moto, with Webster additionally taking the chequered flag first all through the season. In AUSX, Brayton gained the SX1 title for a report fifth-consecutive time with the organisation. Additionally, on the worldwide stage, Konsky’s Honda Real Honda Racing gained the pilot World Supercross Championship (WSX) with Ken Roczen.
Finest Occasion – Motocross of Nations at RedBud:
After many key nations have been compelled to overlook MXoN in recent times as a result of pandemic, the bid for the coveted Chamberlain Trophy returned to normality, with many hungry nations vying for the coveted title. The environment at RedBud was electrical and racing didn’t disappoint, with loads of anticipation surrounding the debut of Jett Lawrence on a 450. With Crew USA victorious because of the efforts of Eli Tomac (MXGP), Justin Cooper (MX2) and Chase Sexton (Crew Honda HRC), Crew Australia returned to the rostrum and secured third place behind Crew France, as Mitch Evans (MXGP), Hunter Lawrence (MX2) and Jett Lawrence (Open) did Crew Australia proud. Jett Lawrence notably gained the Open class in his CRF450R debut.
Picture: Octopi Media.
Hottest Subject – WSX emerges:
The arrival of the SX World-led World Supercross Championship (WSX) supplied its share of each anticipation and challenges, with its two-round ‘pilot’ season going down throughout Wales and Australia. It can’t be questioned {that a} group of essentially the most high-profile athletes within the sport lined up in WSX, comparable to Tomac as a wildcard at spherical one, together with new 450 champion Roczen, Joey Savatgy (Rick Ware Racing), Dean Wilson (Honda Real Hearth Energy Honda Racing), Brayton (MotoConcepts Racing) and SX2 title-winner Shane McElrath (Rick Ware Racing) – to say some – throughout each rounds, as did the legendary Chad Reed out of retirement earlier than harm struck. Nonetheless, the depth of competitors didn’t rival that of AMA Supercross and we’re unsure if it can anytime quickly. Nonetheless, let’s give it a while and see the place issues head over the following 24 months or so.
Biggest Disappointment – Daniel Sanders crashes out of Dakar:
After a near-perfect opening week to the Dakar Rally, GasGas Manufacturing facility Racing’s Daniel ‘Chucky’ Sanders was trying promising for a high three end within the brutal two-week occasion. The 27-year-old Australian had gained two of the six phases within the Saudi Arabian desert and was sitting in third total, simply over 5 minutes behind the chief, however then catastrophe struck when he crashed right into a freeway curb whereas en-route to the beginning of the seventh stage. The weird crash broke his elbow, cracked his ribs, and lacerated his kidney. It was a devastating approach to exit whereas in such a powerful place, however he’s able to make amends in two weeks time when he traces up for the 2023 version.
Most Stunning Second – Dean Ferris again into retirement:
After beforehand retiring forward of the 2021 season following spinal harm over two years in the past, Dean Ferris returned for what was in the end a single season at Honda Racing. Competing all through 2022, the triple one confirmed he nonetheless has what it takes to problem for championship glory on the highest stage and gained extra MX1 races than every other rider in ProMX, and introduced that his full-time racing profession would come to an in depth following Coolum’s finals. That mentioned, the three-time Australian MX1 champion surfaced earlier this month aboard a Yamaha amidst widespread hypothesis that he’ll make a shock return to the Penrite ProMX Championship in 2023.
Social Standout – CDR Yamaha Monster Power Crew:
With immaculate presentation, an ideal job behind the scenes and a mixture of business options, CDR Yamaha Monster Power excel on this class. From a social media perspective, its content material is sharp and interesting, with its riders this 12 months Luke Clout, Tanti and Josh Hill additionally staff supervisor Craig Dack punctual {and professional} when portraying themselves to the media and interesting with numerous stakeholders on the observe.
Particular point out – A mixture of winners:
Not forgotten, it’s troublesome to attract a line in these awards and there are a selection that we needed to reference. Firstly, Jett Lawrence on his double championships within the US, Wil Ruprecht as EnduroGP champion, Lyndon Snodgrass for his success in GNCC and, on a neighborhood be aware, we couldn’t go previous the distinctive performances of Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Charli Cannon in ProMX, together with the spectacular late type of Matt Moss because the Prince of Paris and in AUSX to win two of the 4 SX1 fundamental occasions, plus Kayden Minear’s titles throughout nationwide MX3 and his Australian Junior Motocross Championship double. In fact, there are lots extra deserving champions who’ve been topped in 2022 and what a 12 months it’s been!