The Factory Honda Racing teams claimed a championship and two overall wins in the 450 (MX1) and 250 (MX2) classes at the final round of the Australian Motocross Championship.
Kyle Webster dominated aboard his Boost Mobile Honda Racing CRF450R. It was his second overall win of the outdoor season. Kyle proved to be competitive this season, but unfortunate circumstances that were outside of his control hurt his end-of-season ranking.
“It has definitely been a season of ups and down,” Webster stated from atop the box. “I feel that I should have had more race and round wins, but things out of my control cost my dearly. Maitland was a real hit to my championship position. I coped a rock to the shoulder, and it penetrated the skin. The medics deemed me unfit to race and we lost too many valuable points.”
Webster’s race and round wins give him the confidence to rebound next year and chase the championship.
“This is my second full season on the CRF450R and, whilst it did not go to plan, I am confident that we can contend for the championship next year. I am looking forward to my future with Honda and the team,” concluded Webster.
Jed Beaton claimed second overall in the championship in his first full season on a 450F. Unhappy with his overall position, he aims to return next year after a season of learning what it takes to contend for the championship.
“No excuses – we were beaten by the seasoned veteran,” he observed. “This was my first season with Honda, first full season on a 450 and we learnt a lot. I know what I need to work on and I know what I need from my bike. There is a lot of time between now and next year. I will not be racing supercross; I can focus on my health, conditioning and training for next year’s motocross championship.”
It was Terrafirma Equipment Sales Honda’s Wilson Todd who owned and managed the MX2 championship. Todd, a phenomenal ‘red’ talent, topped the charts with total domination in the final two motos. Including supercross, this is Honda’s fifth straight championship.
“Honda’s CRF250R is awesome – look at Jett and Hunter [Lawrence] as well,” Todd commented. “This was a hard championship for me, as I battled many health demons. It has taken six months to get on top of it all; I am happy with the season and how we managed it.”
The team’s second MX2 rider, Polyflor Honda’s Brodie Connolly, had a stellar season. In his rookie year in MX2, he won a round and motos enroute to a final ranking of third. Brodie’s future is cemented with Honda. The team has yet to determine if that will be in Australia or America, however.
“I would have liked to win more races, but I have learnt so much,” Connolly reflected.
“This is my first full year in Australia. It would not have happened if Honda had not called! My path to here has not been easiest – I had not spent much time abroad, but this year has been amazing. I will be with Honda and Yarrive next year, but we have not decided if I will race here or overseas. I am off to America to start preparing for supercross so that I can give it a good go.”
Honda’s female racers did an amazing job taking second, third and fourth overall respectively. Factory riders Emma Milesevic and Tahlia O’Hare finished second and fourth, whilst it was ‘Ride Red’ rider Maddie Brown in third.
Emma struggled at the final round, following a crash that she had a week ago. She rode maturely and managed her second place overall in the championship.
“It was the toughest weekend,” Milesevic commented. “I was riding injured from the weekend before and was struggling to hold on. It was not fun finishing this way, but I am happy to take home second.”
Maddie Brown was thrilled with her overall.
“It is tough, racing and working, but taking third and riding with support from Honda is rewarding,” said Brown.
Tahlia, on the other hand, was frustrated with her overall inconsistency and is aware of what she needs to work on for next year. Although she achieved podium finishes in the final two rounds, her race finishes were up and down.
“The speed is there,” she pondered. “It is just too inconsistent, and I need to work hard on that. I am happy with some of my races, just not all of them.”
The will debrief following the weekend as they commence their final preparations for supercross.
