Tasmanian-born former GP rider Jed Beaton and New Zealand’s Brodie Connolly shone out at Horsham, in Victoria, round two of the 2024 Australian Motocross Championships at the weekend.
CDR Yamaha Monster Energy’s Beaton and KTM Racing Team’s Nathan Crawford shared wins in the MX1 class, while Polyflor Honda Racing rider Connolly put together a near-perfect day to win both the MX2 races.
MX1 CLASS
A fierce day of racing saw Beaton and Crawford split the race wins, with Beaton not only winning on count-back, but also claiming the series lead in the process. A consistent, calculated performance from GASGAS Racing Team’s Kirk Gibbs saw him complete the MX1 podium at Horsham.
Crawford claimed his first-ever Thor MX1 moto win after an enthralling race that saw the lead change several times. A solid second-moto win saw Beaton claim the round overall on count-back and snatch the championship lead.
In the standings, Beaton now holds a five-point lead from round one winner Kyle Webster (Honda), with Crawford climbing the ladder and into third, seven points adrift of Crawford.
MX2 CLASS
A perfect day for Tauranga’s Connolly (pictured above) allowed him to take maximum points from Horsham and he has now built himself a solid lead in the MX2 title chase.
He was flanked by Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team’s Rhys Budd and GASGAS Racing Team rookie Byron Dennis on the overall podium.
In the MX2 points, Connolly already holds a comfortable 26-point lead over Honda’s Noah Ferguson, with Yamaha’s Ryder Kingsford a further six points back.
RESULTS HORSHAM – ROUND 2:
Top 10 MX1 Overall:
- Jed Beaton (Yamaha) 2-1
- Nathan Crawford (KTM) 1-2
- Kirk Gibbs (GasGas) 5-3
- Kyle Webster (Honda) 3-5
- Luke Clout (Kawasaki) 4-6
- Dean Ferris (Yamaha) 9-4
- Brett Metcalfe (Kawasaki) 7-7
- Wilson Todd (Honda) 6-8
- Todd Waters (Husqvarna) 8-9
- Zachary Watson (Husqvarna) 10-11
Top 10 MX2 Overall:
- Broddie Connolly (Honda) 1-1
- Rhys Budds (Husqvarna) 3-7
- Byron Dennis (GasGas) 6-4
- Haruki Yokoyama (Honda) 5-6
- Bailey Malkiewicz (Yamaha) 2-12
- Kayden Minear (KTM) 4-10
- Kaleb Barham (Yamaha) 10-5
- Noah Ferguson (Honda) 17-2
- Ryder Kingsford (Yamaha) 16-3
- Cambell Williams (Yamaha 9-9
Top 10 MX1 Standings after round 2 (of 8)
1. Jed Beaton 91
2. Kyle Webster 86
3. Nathan Crawford 79
4. Dean Ferris 68
5. Wilson Todd 64
6. Luke Clout 64
7. Kirk Gibbs 62
8. Brett Metcalfe 54
9. Todd Waters 52
10. Zachary Watson 42
Top 10 MX2 Standings after round 2 (of 8)
1. Brodie Connolly 97
2. Noah Ferguson 71
2. Ryder Kingsford 65
4. Rhys Budd 62
5. Kayden Minear 55
6. Byron Dennis 53
7. Jayden Cosford 52
8. Kaleb Barham 52
9. Bailey Malkiewizc 46
10. Haruki Yokoyama 46
Photo courtesy ProMX Championships
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