Image: Foremost Media.

Two-time national MX1 champion Kyle Webster has been ruled out of Team Australia after undergoing shoulder surgery, with the defending Motocross of Nations (MXoN) champions now set to arrive in France with a new-look roster in the 2026 edition.

Webster has won the past two MXoNs alongside Hunter and Jett Lawrence, but with the Lawrences already declaring themselves out for this year and Webster sidelined for up to three months, a new-look Australian team is due to be named.

After achieving a breakout victory in 2024 at Matterley Basin and then successfully defending that crown at Ironman last year, Team Australia will carry the 1-2-3 plates into Ernee on October 3-4. New Australian 450 champion Jed Beaton is certain to lead the effort, expected to be joined by Monster Energy CDR Yamaha teammate Aaron Tanti as a late replacement for Webster.

Webster finished third in the final Australian MX1 standings in 2026 despite dislocating his right shoulder while contesting the Hangtown round of AMA Pro Motocross with Quad Lock Honda at the beginning of June. After managing his injury through the series, the 30-year-old’s shoulder was repaired in Brisbane directly following the final round at QMP.

“P3 in the championship – definitely not where we wanted to finish, but I’m happy to have made it to the end of the season,” Webster recalled. “Unfortunately, I’d been dealing with some shoulder issues from the crash I had at Hangtown, which was making my right arm weak while riding.

“I had surgery last week and got the rebuild from [Dr. Steve Andrews]. Now it’s time for some downtime, get healthy, and come back stronger for next year. A huge thank you to my team and everyone in my corner. It’s been a massive effort from everyone, and I genuinely can’t thank you all enough.”

While Beaton and Tanti are the most likely candidates for Team Australia’s MXGP and Open positions, it’s unclear if US-based 250MX revelation Kayden Minear (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) – whose YZ250F would likely have to be leased from Star Racing – or France-based EMX250 front-runner Jake Cannon (Team Venum Bud Racing Kawasaki) will secure the MX2 seat.