Image: Foremost Media.

A first wave of wildcards for the upcoming MXGP of Australia has been announced by Motorcycling Australia (MA) today, with the initial 15 locals named for the September 19-21 event in Darwin.

Returning to Australia for the first time in over two decades, the FIM Motocross World Championship targeted Darwin as the final round for this year’s season, with the Hidden Valley Motor Sports Complex set to feature a purpose-built grand prix track.

Of the initial list of wildcards, joining former world championship regular Todd Waters in the premier MXGP category will be Cooper Holroyd, Hugh Mackay, Jacob Sweet, and Cody O’Loan, while MX2 will feature Jet Alsop, Seth Morrow, Travis Olander, and Deacon Paice alongside Byron Dennis.

In the WMX division, current domestic MXW class P2 ranked rider Taylah McCutcheon will be joined by Madi Simpson, Emily Lambert, Leah Rimbas, and Darci Whalley, with each rider set to face off against some of the world’s best.

More than 30 local riders are expected to be confirmed for the event, leaving space for at least another 15 to be announced by organisers with the endorsement of MXGP rights-holder, Infront Moto Racing.

“As a young rider, it was a dream to have the opportunity to compete in MXGP,” commented Waters. “It was the only place I ever wanted to be, and to now see MXGP action in Australia is just so huge. To get an opportunity to go around again and represent Australia is just unbelievable, as I’m not getting any younger.

“It’s a world championship, so everything is big and exciting. There’s a lot going on, and spectators are going to be blown away by the speed of the top riders. However, as we’re now proving right around the globe, Aussie riders are fast, and to see our young up-and-comers get the opportunity to compete as wildcards is a great thing.”

Currently ranked third in Australia’s MX3 class, Honda-mounted Alsop is excited for the test of racing on a world championship calibre stage, with the 18-year-old welcoming the challenge.

“I’m super-excited to have an MX2 wildcard for the MXGP in Darwin,” said Alsop. “With my MX3 season about to wrap up, I’m really keen to step up to the higher ranks. I’ve always wanted to race MXGP, so to have it in our own backyard is really exciting, and it’s a real privilege to be able to test myself against the world’s best.”

Notably absent from the list are current Penrite ProMX MX1 title-challengers Kyle Webster and Nathan Crawford, along with defending MX2 champion Brodie Connolly, who will look to balance preparation for the upcoming Australian Supercross Championship (AUSX) – which begins on October 11-12 in Queensland – with a return to this one-off motocross appearance. Charli Cannon is also currently absent from WMX.

As the final round of the MXGP season, coupled with the mounting injury toll plaguing this year’s MXGP championship, it’s also unclear how many of Europe’s regular riders and teams beyond the contenders will make their way down under for 2025.