After what has no doubt been an emotionally challenging lead-up to the 2026 Penrite ProMX opener, Byron Dennis delivered when it counted in MX2 at Wonthaggi, putting his KTM Racing Team 250 SX-F on the box with P2 overall. The 19-year-old posted a strong 4-2 scorecard at round one, where he spoke to MotoOnline post-race for this Debrief interview.

Image: Foremost Media.

Second at the opener

Yeah, not too bad of a day here at the opening round, came away with second overall. In the first moto, I just got the second and just made a little mistake and ended up putting it on the deck. So, a bit disappointed about that one, but fought my way back up the fourth. So, not a bad salvage sort of thing. So, it wasn’t too bad. In the second moto, just got a good start and tried to put some intensity down early on in the race and yeah, then just bring it home sort of thing. So yeah, finished that one in second to end the day.

Two good starts

Yeah, for sure. Like myself and the team have put a lot of effort into that. Like we felt like that was a massive downfall of my 2025 season. So we thought we’d put a lot of work into it, a lot of work into the bike, a lot of work into my technique and how I’m doing it and get it right. And then it’s paid off today. So yeah, big ups to everyone that’s helped me out with that.

Image: Foremost Media.

Tough times in the lead up

Yeah, for sure. You know, it’s been tough for my whole family. Obviously, my sister Eliza crashed just riding at home one day. You know, we ride dirt bikes and it’s a dangerous sport, but we love it and bad things can happen. So, yeah, it’s been hard, but I’ve got a pretty strong family behind me and I couldn’t ask for a better one. There’s so much support behind Eliza as well. So yeah, we’ll see how she goes and hope for the best.

New teammate Dylan Walsh

Yeah, it’s great. I get along with Dylan very well. He’s got a lot of experience coming from an MXGP background. And obviously, he’s living down with me in this area with me and training with me as well with Beaton’s Pro Formula. And yeah, it’s good. He’s taught me a lot and I’ve learned a lot off him. And it brings a different aspect to the team. I feel like it brings us all together a lot more. So yeah, very happy to have him around.