Analysing a mix of the highest performances from season 2022.
The 2022 Australian Supercross Championship (AUSX) offered loads of top-level motion, with the SX1 title-fight going proper all the way down to the wire and the SX2 class producing a mixture of memorable moments throughout the four-round length. On this newest Rated characteristic, MotoOnline takes a better have a look at a few of the prime performers all through this yr’s sequence.
Picture: Foremost Media.
Rider: Justin Brayton
Score: A
Rundown: When it got here all the way down to it, Brayton (Honda Racing) did all that he wanted to attain a document fifth-consecutive Australian Supercross Championship for himself and Honda Racing. Opening the season in advantageous kind, Brayton bided his time behind Aaron Tanti (CDR Yamaha Monster Power) at Marvel Stadium earlier than putting to take a convincing victory to begin the season. A P2 end per week later in Adelaide noticed him enter Newcastle equal on factors with Tanti, the place he was wanting set to take the win within the Triple Crown when a motorcycle downside within the third ultimate denied him any probability of the general. Additional catastrophe struck the CRF450R rider within the opening important occasion at Wagga Wagga, working second to Matt Moss (BBR 102 Motorsports Yamaha) for almost all of the race earlier than struggling a flat tyre. Brayton maintained his composure and limped residence to a distant fourth, earlier than a measured P4 within the second ultimate at spherical 4 was sufficient for the seasoned champion to notch title quantity 5 by a single level. The query is now, can we see him again to battle for one more one subsequent yr?
Rider: Matt Moss
Score: A
Rundown: Supercross noticed the resurgence of former a number of nationwide champion Moss, reaching a 50 % strike fee in AUSX to win extra rounds than every other rider on this yr’s SX1 sequence. Moss’ 2022 marketing campaign began with a P5 end at Marvel Stadium, earlier than going one higher per week later in Adelaide to complete fourth. Contemporary off a breakout SX2 victory with Bud Racing in France to be topped the ‘Prince of Paris’, an ever-motivated Moss returned to Australia on his common privateer YZ450F and continued his successful methods at Newcastle, victorious in two of the three finals to take out the Triple Crown. One other total victory at Wagga Wagga introduced him inside only one level of capturing the title, however nonetheless, the quantity 102 convincingly confirmed that he nonetheless has what it takes to compete on the very entrance of the pack and is bound to be a formidable power subsequent season. He’s already confirmed that he intends to be on a supercross-only program in 2023, each right here and internationally.
Rider: Aaron Tanti
Score: A-
Rundown: New ProMX champion Tanti continued his breakout 450 season in AUSX, main all through the opening important occasion at Marvel Stadium and holding out a late cost from Dean Wilson (Honda Racing) to begin his marketing campaign with a P2 in Melbourne. A commanding victory per week later at Adelaide Showground confirmed his title problem, coming into Newcastle’s Triple Crown stage on factors with Brayton. Sadly, he would fall and knock his head in the course of the finals at spherical three, ruling himself out of competition on the penultimate cease. The quantity 9 bounced again to complete second total on the ultimate spherical, successful the second ultimate at Wagga Wagga to shut the yr a advantageous third within the SX1 standings. Whereas the error at Newcastle proved expensive and in the end positioned Tanti out of attain from championship competition, the Queensland-based rider confirmed loads of promise all through the sequence and can once more be thrilling to observe subsequent season, having re-signed with CDR.
Picture: Foremost Media.
Rider: Max Anstie
Score: A
Rundown: Charismatic worldwide Anstie set the usual in nationwide SX2 this season, successful three of the 4 rounds to take the title in a dominant vogue. Making his Australian Supercross debut with Honda Racing at Marvel Stadium, Anstie – who additionally completed second within the SX2 World Championship this yr with Yarrive Konsky’s outfit – led every lap in Melbourne on his technique to a ten.282s victory. One week later in Adelaide, Anstie was once more victorious, overcoming teammate Wilson Todd (Honda Racing) earlier than the quantity 99 made it three spherical wins in a row as he stood tall in Newcastle’s Triple Crown. Coming into Wagga Wagga’s finals with a 21-point benefit, Anstie secured the crown with a 1-4 scorecard in difficult situations, capping off what was a profitable stint down below as he prepares for 250SX West within the US subsequent yr.
Rider: Cole Thompson
Score: B+
Rundown: Serco Yamaha import Thompson was a little bit of an unknown package deal by way of how he would truthful in opposition to the highest Australian SX2 expertise, however the Canadian didn’t disappoint. A stable P2 opened his account in Melbourne earlier than an early crash in Adelaide meant P7 was the most effective he may handle. The quantity six simply missed the rostrum at Newcastle’s Triple Crown, ending equal on factors with Rhys Budd (Yamalube Yamaha Racing), earlier than ending his season on a excessive, taking the Wagga Wagga total with a 3-2 scorecard to safe second within the standings. Having signed with Staff Solitaire for 2023 Monster Power AMA Supercross, Thompson will probably be one to regulate after his time spent in Australia.
Rider: Nathan Crawford
Score: B
Rundown: Bouncing again from damage to finish ProMX with successful kind, KTM Racing Staff’s Crawford delivered a comparatively constant home AUSX season to land third within the SX2 championship. Crawford voiced within the build-up to the sequence that he aimed to undertake a methodical strategy to the indoors and stayed true to that in Melbourne with a measured efficiency to complete third – the primary SX2 podium of his profession. Recovering from ninth firstly of the principle occasion at Wayville, the 250 SX-F rider reached fourth at spherical two, earlier than a crash within the first ultimate of Newcastle’s Triple Crown meant eighth total was the most effective he may salvage on the penultimate occasion. Crawford concluded his season along with his strongest outcome at Wagga Wagga, a 2-3 scorecard seeing him end equal on factors with spherical winner Thompson, however leading to second total on count-back.
