The opening round of Penrite ProMX 2026 at Wonthaggi saw a range of storylines emerge late last month, but have the title favourites already been established? MotoOnline answers that question and more from a puzzling weekend in this edition of Q&A.

Image: Foremost Media.

Q: What version of Monster Energy CDR Yamaha’s Jed Beaton did we see at Wonthaggi?

A: We likely saw one of the best – if not the very best – versions of Jed Beaton since his return from MXGP. Last year’s Canberra 1-1 was also impressive, but he appeared on a mission at Wonthaggi – intent on making up for what a leg injury denied him of in 2025. He won moto one by nearly 50 seconds, while race two was equally dominant with a 25-second margin over defending MX1 champion Kyle Webster. Even allowing for familiarity with the Wonthaggi venue, it’s difficult to overlook such a commanding performance, which could signal what’s to come in 2026. The clear title favourite already though… Not quite.

Q: Can Dean Ferris sustain his podium form on return with Penrite Racing Empire Kawasaki?

A: Ferris was solid in his return to national motocross, lining up on a KX450 with the Penrite Racing Empire Kawasaki team. The four-time MX1 champion has the credentials to run up front, and was a clear third-best behind the Beaton/Webster pairing – which is a respectable place to be at Wonthaggi. It may take time for him to close that gap and contend across a full season, but third overall at round one marks a strong start to his 2026 campaign and we’re expecting more of the same.

Q: What actually prompted Nathan Crawford’s P13 overall result?

A: We’ve since gained some clarity following Wonthaggi, with last year’s MX1 runner-up Crawford sensationally parting ways with the KTM Racing Team between rounds one and two. It remains an ongoing development, given both he and the KTM 450 SX-F were competitive throughout 2025 – taking the championship down to the wire at Queensland Moto Park (QMP). Early comments from the Queenslander suggested discomfort, with his 13th-place result later described as no surprise. The ProMX series resumes in Canberra and we’re hearing that he will be on a Honda CRF450R as part of the MotoCoach Elite Racing team alongside Rhys Budd (MX2) and co. – a huge coup for the incoming new team if that does materialise as we suspect it will.

Image: Foremost Media.

Q: Was Zac Watson’s KTM Racing Team debut good enough?

A: For the most part, it was. Watson was sixth-fastest in the MX1 Pole Shootout, before recording 10-5 moto scores to finish eighth overall in his debut with the official KTM program. It’s a solid starting point, especially considering a heavy crash on Saturday that likely left him shaken right at the beginning of practice. He’s also noted that opening rounds haven’t typically been his strongest, so expect improvement as the championship progresses, and now – with Crawford suddenly out of the picture – he has become the sole focus for KTM Racing Team’s premier class program.

Q: Honda Racing’s Kyle Webster had an eventful opener, so should we sound the alarm?

A: It certainly was eventful! Webster’s troubles began in Saturday’s qualifying session, with a heavy fall sending the number one to the hospital for precautionary checks, which later returned all-clear. He rebounded to post the fastest time in the MX1 Pole Shootout on Sunday, only to crash in turn one while leading the field in moto one. The two-time defending champion recovered to finish third, before another high-speed crash in moto two still resulted in a P2 finish. All-in-all, he was fortunate to leave the opener in one piece and is unlikely to want a repeat anytime soon. Despite the chaos, he sits just eight points behind Beaton – a far better position than this time last year, which he should be content with. So, keep the panic button in the draw for now.

Q: How do we rate KTM Racing Team’s podium double with Byron Dennis and Dylan Walsh?

A: It was a positive outing for the KTM Racing Team duo of Byron Dennis and Dylan Walsh, who each landed on the podium aboard their KTM 250 SX-Fs to open the season. Dennis appears to have taken another step forward in his development, while Walsh entered as more of an unknown, given his diverse international background. Both delivered convincing performances, with the 28-year-old Walsh setting the fastest qualifying time as Dennis followed in P3. Each rider scored 40 points across the two motos on Sunday, immediately positioning themselves as title contenders in 2026, and it was a welcome result for the orange corner.

Q: What can we expect from Honda Racing’s Kingsford brothers moving forward?

A: We can expect more from last year’s MX2 runner-up, Ryder Kingsford, who entered round one with limited seat time following a pre-season injury, while MX2 rookie Kayd’s P4 result doesn’t fully reflect his efforts either. The younger Kingsford brother was in overall podium contention until a late crash in moto two, signalling a remarkable showing in his first MX2 appearance after claiming the MX3 title in 2025. With that in mind, there’s plenty to come from the pairing – Ryder will build as he regains momentum – and added comfort on the CRF after a career with Yamaha – while Kayd is likely to refine both his consistency and speed as the season moves forward. They’re two of the most exciting riders in the country.

Image: Foremost Media.

Q: Did Alex Larwood’s 1-1 result establish him as the MX2 favourite?

A: Yes, Alex Larwood’s 1-1 performance certainly sent a message, and many are already labelling him as the rider to beat! The MX2 class entered Wonthaggi in an interesting position, with the long-standing dominance of Wilson Todd and Brodie Connolly coming to an end, leaving the category wide-open. Larwood emerged as best of the current generation, comfortably winning both motos by over 20 seconds to signal that the South Australian is ready to contend for the 2026 title.

Q: Wonthaggi was another chapter in the Lachlan ‘Lala’ Turner and Charli Cannon rivalry – what did we take from round one?

A: One of the sport’s best rivalries continued at Wonthaggi’s international FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Cup – and MXW opener – with Lachlan ‘Lala’ Turner going head-to-head with Honda Racing’s Charli Cannon once more. This time, it was the new Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha recruit who prevailed, claiming two of the three moto wins (and both of the actual MXW championship races for a ProMX 1-1) and leading Team USA to victory in the 2026 edition. The pair were virtually inseparable across the two days, even if it did appear that American WMX number one Turner did in fact have the edge, and setting the stage for a fascinating season in both the domestic MXW championship – which Cannon has owned for the past four years – and the US-based Pro Motocross series when it begins at Hangtown in early June.

Q: How did the MX3 division shakedown?

A: Much like MX2, the MX3 development division is wide-open in 2026, with highly-rated teammates Jack Deveson and Hayden Draper splitting race wins for Monster Energy WBR Yamaha. A P2 in moto one proved decisive for Deveson, securing him the overall at Wonthaggi. Add KTM Racing Team-supported Jackson Fuller and new Honda Racing recruit Heath Fisher to the mix, and the class is shaping up with an exciting new generation of emerging motocross talent.