Image: Supplied.

Honda Racing has made its signing of defending Australian SX2 champion Ryder Kingsford official, transferring from Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha ahead of the 2026 season.

After a standout past year that included the AUSX 250 crown and P2 overall in the MX2 class of ProMX, 20-year-old Kingsford will now join younger brother Kayd Kingsford in red.

Kingsford effectively fills the vacancy left by two-time reigning national MX2 champion Brodie Connolly, the highly-rated Kiwi who is preparing to contest his first full season in the United States with Quad Lock Honda.

“We signed Ryder before he claimed his Australian championship,” team owner Yarrive Konsky commented. “We’ve raced against him for several years and know exactly what he’s capable of.

“His work ethic, talent, and drive are things we believe in with absolute conviction. I was highly motivated to sign him and worked hard to make it happen – we want people in our program who share that level of hunger and commitment.”

Kingsford added: “The team is proven, the bike is proven. My job is to get back to full fitness and strength. I know the team can build what I need to do the job.”

It was initially planned that Kingsford would debut in select rounds of Monster Energy Supercross with Quad Lock Honda to open the new year, however, a pre-season shoulder injury while training locally has delayed any international aspirations at this point. He’s instead focused on round one of ProMX 2026 at Wonthaggi on March 21-22.

“It happens,” Kingsford said. “I was excited about the opportunity to race overseas, but I know there will be more chances. Right now, my focus is on the Australian Motocross Championship. I was lucky enough to ride the bike before I got injured, and I know what it’s capable of. I won’t be at 100 percent for round one, but it’s a long championship, and consistency is what really matters.”

The signing of Kingsford is part of a wider domestic silly season shuffle in the 250 division, with Yamaha understood to have signed Noah Ferguson following his KTM Racing Team departure. It’s also all but certain that Jayce Cosford will be part of the new JPM-operated Kawasaki roster.

Kingsford’s arrival at Honda Racing will see him teamed with MX2 debutant Kayd – the current MX3 and SX3 title-holder – and Alex Larwood, while defending two-time 450 outdoor champion Kyle Webster and Wilson Todd will form Honda’s MX1 line-up once again, and Charli Cannon is defending in MXW.