Roczen crowned inaugural WSX Champion in Melbourne

2022 FIM World Supercross Championship Round 2

The inaugural pilot season for the new look and Aussie managed FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) concluded overnight with Round Two in Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.

German rider Ken Roczen was crowned WSX champion after finishing second in a dramatic WSX Australian Grand Prix. The WSX title ends a championship drought for the Genuine Honda rider, with the title coming down to a four-point gap.

Ken Roczen

“I would do it over and over again, I’ve had such an amazing experience. It’s been a tough ride the last few years that’s why I did this. I don’t regret it. I’ve had so much fun here, I love coming to Australia and I can’t wait to come back again. Finally getting a title again, especially the first one for my team, is nothing short of amazing.”

American Joey Savatgy won the final night’s WSX race with Roczen second and American’s Justin Brayton in third, however that wasn’t enough to grab the title. Savatgy was tied on championship points with Friese, however took the runner-up position.

Roczen ended the season on 116-points, to 112-points for both Savatgy and Friese.

In SX2 American Shane McElrath was crowned world champion after winning the night from Genuine Honda’s Max Anstie and Craig Dack Racing’s Aaron Tanti.

The world championship is the first major title for McElrath, who rides for Rick Ware Racing.

Shane McElrath

“A win is a win, it’s never easy. These guys made it tough. We had minimal prep time but Rick Ware Racing, we literally didn’t stop working. To come out on top, and to really get better every single time on the track, that’s really what we worked for. Praise God we’re here. Number one baby. I am proud of this team and what they’ve done in a few short weeks, glory to God.”

Aaron Tanti charged to P3 in the extended 10-lap Super Final and that sealed him third position overall on the round podium aboard his Craig Dack Racing-prepared YZ250F. In the final SX2 world standings, that saw Tanti move into fourth position.

Aaron Tanti – P3

“It was a really good weekend for me, to finish P2 in the Australian championship round riding the 450 and then to back that up with a podium and moto win on the 250 tonight. To achieve that in front of my home crowd, I was stoked with that and I gave it my all! That first race cost me, being taken down, but overall it’s been a good way to end the WSX series and we’re happy to be fourth in the world championship.”

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Craig Dack – CDR Yamaha Team Owner

“From CDR’s point of view, the racing was quite messy for us in general, however, what is evident is that Aaron Tanti is the real deal. He won a final and had potential for more, which was really exciting in our home round of the series. Josh Hill was impressive again, a real friend of CDR’s and we always enjoy having him with us here in Australia. Kyle Chisholm just didn’t have much luck on his side and he’s been a really great guy, plus unfortunately Luke Clout was underdone coming into the series and things just didn’t go his way. It was a positive pilot season and Melbourne was a great way to finish off the first year of WSX.”

MotoConcepts won the Teams Champions and Honda took out the Manufacturer’s Championship after strong performances from its riders in Cardiff and Melbourne.

The pilot WSX season featured 10 international teams including NASCAR and IndyCar team owner, Rick Ware and two Australian teams – Honda Genuine and Craig Dack Racing.

SX Global President Tony Cochrane AM, who pioneered the Australian V8 Supercar championship, said fans across the world were hungry to see supercross racing.

Tony Cochrane

“We knew there was a global market out there for supercross. You need the courage of your convictions to take these things on. We really believe in the product of world supercross. We really do believe there is a global audience out there. These athletes are so talented, we really believe the world wants to see that. We’re prepared to put that to the test. You’re going to see, in my humble belief, this championship grow enormously in the next two to four years.”

More than 50,000 fans filled Marvel Stadium over two action packed nights for the WSX Australian Grand Prix and Australian Supercross Championship (AUSX).

Marvel Stadium was transformed for the racing with more than 6,000 tonnes of dirt creating the ultimate supercross track.

The 850 plus truckloads of dirt were supported by more than 5,000 railway sleepers and almost 2,000 steel prop supports in the lower level carpark.

Genuine Honda’s Justin Brayton won the premier SX1 class during Friday night’s AUSX racing with Craig Dack Racing’s Aaron Tanti in second and Genuine Honda’s Dean Wilson in third.

In the SX2 class, Genuine Honda’s Max Anstie rode to a dominate win over Serco Yamaha’s Cole Thompson with KTM’s Nathan Crawford in third.

The weekend’s supercross racing was supported by leading Australian recording artists Peking Duk and Bliss N Eso.

2022 FIM World Supercross Round Two Points

2022 FIM World Supercross Final Standings

2022 FIM World Supercross SX2 Round Two Points

2022 FIM World Supercross SX2 Final Standings

FIM Supercross World Championship Teams Points

FIM Supercross World Championship Manufacturer Points