The Aus-X Open in Melbourne was a Supercross spectacle, and it delivered! With a crowd of approximately 30,000 roaring fans, the event showcased thrilling races and unexpected twists. Let's dive into the highlights of this electrifying night!
Honda HRC's Jett Lawrence, fresh off a disappointing performance in Paris, roared back to form. He dominated the competition, sweeping his heat race, the Superpole, and both 10-lap main events.
Jett's strategy was simple, yet effective: "As long as I get good starts, execute my laps and have fun, it’ll be a good race." His flawless execution turned into a memorable victory. He even had a bit of a mishap, over-jumping a rhythm lane, but quickly adjusted, showcasing his skill and adaptability. His impressive whoop speed was, as always, a key factor in his success.
Privateer Aussie rider Matt Moss, a veteran in the sport, gave Jett and others a run for their money. He grabbed both holeshots and led for a significant amount of time, demonstrating his experience and skill. But once Jett put his Honda in front, the victory was his.
Standing alongside Jett on the podium was Quad Lock Honda’s Dean Wilson, who is on the verge of clinching the Australian SX1 title. Dean's performance, climbing through the pack in both mains to secure 2-3 finishes, was a testament to his determination. He even joked that he'd show his kids a photo of the podium years from now, with a red plate and beating one of the Lawrence brothers!
Hunter Lawrence, last year’s champion, faced some challenges, with a less-than-ideal start in the first main. He fought his way to fifth and then secured second place in the second main, ultimately finishing third overall. Adding to the excitement, Dylan Wills delivered an impressive performance. Veteran Hayden Mellross also gave the factory riders a challenge with strong starts and consistent laps, despite a fall in the first main, finishing sixth overall.
Unfortunately, the night wasn't as bright for Racer X’s own Phil Nicoletti, who faced crashes and an off-track excursion, leaving him contemplating retirement. His teammate, Mitchell Harrison, also struggled to stay on two wheels despite showing potential speed.
In the SX2 class, Canadian Cole Thompson took the overall victory with 1-3 finishes, while Shane McElrath finished second overall with 4-1 finishes. McElrath, the defending champion, faced setbacks with poor starts but showcased his resilience in the second main by getting the holeshot and dominating the race.
But here's where it gets controversial... The biggest news in the SX2 Class came from a practice incident. Points leader Lux Turner, who had been dominating the series, suffered a wrist injury and was unable to race. This opened the door for Ryder Kingsford to take the points lead with his 3-2 finishes.
In the SX3 development class, Ryder Malinoski led from start to finish, with Jack Deveson and Koby Hantis completing the podium.
Jett Lawrence summed it up perfectly, saying, "The crowd is great here and it’s really loud. It’s cool, I’ve said this multiple times already and when you look back it’ll be easy to remember the memories we made here. It’s a fun trip to come back.”
And this is the part most people miss... The track conditions and layout played a significant role, with Jett mentioning the track's smaller size compared to what he's used to. This added an extra layer of challenge and excitement to the race.
What are your thoughts on Jett Lawrence's dominant performance? Do you think the track conditions significantly impacted the race? Share your opinions in the comments below!
