QMP welcomes ProMX this weekend for penultimate showdown

2022 Penrite ProMX Championship
Round Seven – QMP – Preview

Images by RbMotoLens

Hosting the first of two epic back to back weekends of ProMX Action in Queensland riders will look to firmly stake their claim and solidify their chances of Championship glory at QMP, before heading to Coolum for the final Round of the Championship just one week later. 

The fast and natural terrain setting of QMP will not disappoint, with riders, teams and industry alike all excited to hit the track in the Queensland winter sun and soak up the atmosphere the Queensland Rounds have to offer.

Get your tickets for QMP here and don’t miss any of the action.

Thor MX1

In the THOR MX1 class, heading into Round 7 CDR Yamaha Monster Energy’s Aaron Tanti has the Red Plate and a 29 point lead over HRC Honda Racing Australia’s Dean Ferris in 2nd place in the Championship.

Ferris and Tanti battled fiercely at Coffs Harbour with Ferris ultimately emerging victorious for Round 6 with 1-1 Moto scores. 

Tanti sacrificed a few points to Ferris at Coffs and so the question we must answer: Is Dean Ferris too close for comfort for Tanti with two Rounds to go?

Ferris is a previous three time Champion in THOR MX1 and knows how to get the job done. A deficit of 29 Points is not easily bridged and Aaron Tanti is extremely fast, confident and capable of delivering the results needed to maintain his Red Plate at QMP this weekend, and next weekend at Coolum; two tracks where he is known for his trademark speed.

QMP will set the stage ahead of the Championship finale the following weekend and for Ferris, winning is his only option. Whereas Tanti has the advantage of managing his advantage starting when the gate drops at QMP.

Amazingly, we see the veterans like Husqvarna Australia’s Todd Waters and GO24 KTM’s Brett Metcalfe sitting tied for 3rd position in the Championship just 5 points behind Ferris.

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Waters will be extremely comfortable at QMP where he has spun many laps of testing over the years. Could the super consistent Waters step up to challenge for race wins at QMP? It’s certainly not out of the question to see the 2019 Champion return to the top step of the podium.

Brett Metcalfe has shown incredible first race track position and speed at many rounds this season, If “Metty” can have a consistent showing at QMP, he and Waters will go down to the wire for the podium placings in the Championship.

KTM Australia’s Kirk Gibbs showed great determination and speed after surgery leading into Coffs Harbour and we expect the same for the QLD based Gibbs at QMP. 

Wilson Todd will race a CRF450R in an Australian Pro MX round for the first time in his career this weekend along with also doing what he needs to do in the MX2 class to wrap up that championship.

“I asked the team if I could race the CRF450R,” explained Todd. “It is something that I want to do before I head back overseas to compete. I am mindful that I have not won the MX2 championship, but I am taking my first MX1 national seriously. The team and I have been testing and I have been on the new CRF450R since Coffs Harbor. I will qualify for both classes and will do what is required to win the MX2 championship”

Thor MX1 Championship Points

Pirelli MX2

In Pirelli MX2, Red Plate holder Wilson Todd is only three points away from claiming the Championship #1 plate coming into Round 7. With the incredible speed and dominant level of riding over his competition that Wilson has displayed this season, it is realistic that he will be crowned Pirelli MX2 champion following the opening Moto of the day at QMP.

Behind Wilson Todd, there are the usual suspects of Pirelli MX2 riders all looking to take their shot at podium placings at QMP.

With just 21 points separating Yamalube Yamaha’s Rhys Budd in second place in the Championship while Serco Yamaha’s Jesse Dobson and Rhys Budd currently rank third and fourth respectively, it is still all to play for as the three youngsters battle it out for podium placings and momentum into the final Round at Coolum.

Empire Kawasaki’s Haruki Yokoyama and GasGas pilot Noah Ferguson will continue to play into the podium battles. Standout rides from Jayce Cosford and Kaleb Barham at Coffs Harbour will add to the momentum and confidence of these riders battling for the lead positions at QMP.

The emergence of KTM Australia’s Nathan Crawford at Coffs Harbour as a legitimate race winning contender at his very first gate drops of the 2022 season after returning from injury further adds to the excitement at QMP. 

Pirelli MX2 Championship Points

Maxxis MX3

In Maxxis MX3 it is KTM Australia’s Kayden Minear who has shown race winning speed on his day and Championship winning consistency. The Western Australian will start Round 7 with the Red Plate and with a 19 point lead over Husqvarna Australia’s Jack Mather.

KTM duo Ryan Alexanderson and Connor Towill, Ride Red Honda’s Ty Kean and Husqvarna Australia’s Brock Flynn are other serious contenders in Maxxis MX3.

As always, the door is wide open for upset performances, season first wins and podiums for the next generation of Australian Motocross talent on display at QMP in Maxxis MX3. 

Maxxis MX3 Championship Points

Yamaha bLU cRU YZ65 Cup

In a further addition to the incredible line up of ProMX action, QMP will also host the 2nd Round of the Yamaha bLU cRU YZ65 Cup Rounds for the Championship.

This incredible initiative by Yamaha Australia gives young riders competing on YZ65 machines the opportunity to compete on the same race track as their Factory racing heroes.

Experiencing a once in a lifetime weekend pitting out of the bLU cRU truck, with unparalleled access to Yamaha’s professional MX race teams, each YZ65 Cup participant is rewarded with memories that last a lifetime.

Yamaha bLU cRU YZ65 Championship Points

2022 Australian ProMX Championship Calendar

1. March 27 – Wonthaggi, VIC
2. April 10 – Mackay, QLD
3. May 1 – Wodonga, VIC
4. May 29 – Gillman, SA
5. June 26 – Maitland, NSW
6. July 24 – Coffs Harbour, NSW
7. August 14 – QLD Moto Park, QLD
8. August 20-21 – Coolum, QLD