We’re two rounds into the 2026 Penrite ProMX Championship, with Wonthaggi and Canberra delivering a mixture of results across both the MX1 and MX2 divisions that are setting the early tone of the season. This Countdown feature analyses what we’ve seen so far and what to watch as the series develops.

Image: Foremost Media.

8. Todd rebuilding to full health:
After his late-season ProMX form last year – which included an overall victory at the series finale at Queensland Moto Park (QMP) – it was expected that four-time MX2 champion Wilson Todd would emerge as a genuine title contender this year, although a 6-4 scorecard across the opening two rounds has him facing a 37-point deficit to MX1 leader Jed Beaton. Following Canberra, Todd revealed to MotoOnline that he underwent what has been a largely unsuccessful arm-pump surgery in December and has since been playing catch-up in a bid to return to form. He concluded that there is no real ‘fix’ to the problem, with it sounding as though it is something he will have to manage throughout the 2026 campaign.

7. Ryder Kingsford and Ferguson yet to fire in MX2:
We mention these two together, as they are riders expected to be firmly in the MX2 championship fight, given both their speed and past results. Granted, Ryder is on the recovery trail from a pre-season shoulder injury – in addition to a team switch to Honda Racing – while Ferguson is also adjusting to new equipment at the Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha team. Be that as it may, the pair will likely need to fire soon to insert themselves into the championship battle, otherwise the likes of Kayd Kingsford, Alex Larwood, and Dylan Walsh may sprint clear and build an insurmountable advantage. Time will tell, although as it stands, Ferguson is P5 in the series with a 25-point deficit, while Ryder sits seventh and 30 points back. There is no need for the panic button just yet, but round three will likely require a turnaround to put the train back on the tracks.

6. Ferris scores mixed results in ProMX return:
Four-time MX1 champion Dean Ferris’ season-opener at Wonthaggi was impressive, as he and the Penrite Racing Empire Kawasaki squad delivered a P3 finish on debut, even tying moto scores with defending class champion Kyle Webster (Honda Racing). That same form was not carried to Canberra, however, as Ferris encountered a couple of issues during the day – including losing use of his front brake in moto one, and a crash in race two – to record a P8 overall result at the second round. That sees him ranked fourth in the MX1 standings after two events, and there is a sense that positions three to seven could become a dogfight this year, with Ferris, Aaron Tanti, Todd Waters, Wilson Todd, and Zac Watson appearing closely matched for speed.

Image: Foremost Media.

5. Podium form for KTM Racing Team’s Walsh and Dennis:
KTM Racing Team’s MX2 pairing of Dylan Walsh and Byron Dennis has been highly impressive through two rounds, with each placing their KTM 250 SX-F on the podium at both Wonthaggi and Canberra. What is more, Walsh claimed pole position at the opener, while Dennis was the pace-setter at the second stop, indicating both have speed to burn in 2026. They have also scored identical points totals across the opening two rounds, leaving them tied for third in the MX2 standings – just five points from the lead. There has been some turbulence within the official KTM program across the past two seasons, so it has to come as a welcome sign that this duo is gelling early. And who knows, by season’s end, the number one plate may well belong on a KTM once again – which would be the first time since Egan Mastin delivered onboard a 250SX in 2017!

4. Larwood answers the call:
The MX2 division was wide open entering 2026, with the reign of Wilson Todd and Brodie Connolly finally coming to an end. That meant it was up to the rest of the field to fire their shot and announce their arrival as the new benchmark of the category, and after two rounds, it appears Honda Racing’s Alex Larwood is that rider. He dominated Wonthaggi with a 20-second-plus victory margin in each moto, before rebounding with an emphatic race two win at Canberra after encountering bike dramas in race one. His fastest lap in the second moto was more than one second clear of the next best – set by teammate Kayd Kingsford – with all early indicators suggesting Larwood is ready to be ‘that’ guy in 2026. He is without the red plate, although sits just three points shy of the lead entering his home round of Gillman on May 10.

3. Crawford’s shock Honda switch:
This move still does not make a great deal of sense, but the reality is that the ultra-capable Queenslander felt he needed to be on CRF equipment and executed that switch between the Wonthaggi and Canberra rounds. A successful five-year stint with the KTM Racing Team came to an abrupt end, with Crawford now part of the privately run MotoCoach Elite Racing team for what appears to be the duration of ProMX 2026. The future pathway remains unclear – for instance, whether he eventually lands at the factory Honda Racing program given his pedigree and previous results. At this point, who knows, although what was clear was that Crawford was much improved at round two, likely a combination of increased comfort and a more settled disposition now that the chips have fallen where he had hoped. Either way, keep an eye on this storyline throughout the 2026 season to see what unfolds for the 28-year-old, who finished last year’s MX1 campaign in P2.

Image: Foremost Media.

2. Kayd Kingsford leaves Canberra with red plate:
We’re liking what we’re seeing from MX2 rookie Kayd Kingsford, who has been on a tear since arriving at Yarrive Konsky’s Honda team at the beginning of last year. He has since claimed both the MX3 and SX3 titles in 2025 and earned his first professional overall victory in Canberra, while also leaving with the red plate. You couldn’t draw it up much better, right? Although when potential such as this is shown, it does make you wonder whether his talents would be best tested elsewhere, with an American move appearing the clearest pathway, especially given he bested highly-rated amateur Ryder Malinoski (ClubMX Yamaha) in AUSX last year. None of this is a bad problem to have, it is simply about how best to harness that potential – which is evidently high enough to run with the very best in MX2 from the outset.

1. Beaton perfect across two rounds:
Monster Energy CDR Yamaha’s Jed Beaton carries a quietly calm demeanour and tends to keep his emotions balanced regardless of what is happening on track. That can lead you to wonder how fiercely the fire burns within, given he keeps his cards close to his chest, however, beginning ProMX 2026 with four-from-four moto wins says plenty in itself. After having the MX1 title cruelly ripped away last year due to a late-season injury, it appears that has only fuelled the fire further, with the number 14 unrelenting in his racing so far. Wonthaggi was complete domination – there are no two ways about it – while Canberra delivered another perfect 1-1 scorecard. The question now shifts to Webster as to whether he can match the level of motivation and grit of Beaton, given he has already won the MX1 title twice, while his training partner is still searching for a first after coming agonisingly close on three occasions. We’ll see, but as it stands, Beaton is rolling, and another convincing performance at Gillman would only strengthen his narrative in 2026.