Kyle Webster makes history in Queensland clinching the first Honda MX1 Title in decades

In the tightest title fight in Australian motocross history, Boost Mobile Honda Racing’s Webster claimed the MX1 crown on countback after his arch-rival Jed Beaton (CDR Yamaha Monster Energy) was able to draw level on 382 points by dominating Sunday’s racing.

Words | Press release

Across all classes, race fans were treated to some of the most intense action of the entire 2024 season around the fast, technical QMP circuit, bringing a thrilling conclusion to this year’s eight-round series.

MX1 CLASS: KYLE WEBSTER CHAMPION

In dramatic circumstances, Kyle Webster has wrapped up the 2024 Australian MX1 championship on countback from a determined Jed Beaton.

After experiencing a big crash yesterday and hurting his hand, Webster was in damage control all day. With Beaton finishing 1-1 in the two final motos of the year, the pair tied on 382 points, with Webster taking the title by winning more races this year.

There was plenty of action in the opening MX1 moto, as Beaton took the win and closed the gap on the championship leader. Clout took the WP Holeshot, but a surging Purvis carved past him for the lead in the opening laps. Several laps later, Purvis then suffered a huge crash, allowing Clout to briefly retake the lead.

*A 1-1 result wasn´t enough for Jed Beaton to clinch the MX1 title – Image: Media*

Beaton fought his way from P6 on the opening lap to eventually pass Clout and ride away to an 8.6-second win, with Clout second and Webster bravely riding through the pain to finish P3.

Wilson Todd (Boost Mobile Honda Racing) did a great job of protecting Webster from a late, hard charge from Gibbs to hold onto P4 and ensure Webster maintained some handy points going into the final moto, while Gibbs would finish P5.

With everything to play for in the final moto, Webster grabbed the holeshot, but Beaton wasted no time getting past and stretching out a commanding 8.9-second lead by the time he crossed the finish-line. Riding through the pain, Webster found himself going backwards as Clout, Gibbs and Purvis overtook him, but he gritted his teeth and stayed ahead of Todd Waters (Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team) to secure Honda’s first MX1 championship in decades – and a first under the management of team owner Yarrive Konsky.

RESULTS MX1

Top 10 Overall:

#14 Jed Beaton (Yamaha) 1-1
#4 Luke Clout (Kawasaki) 2-3
#5 Kirk Gibbs (GasGas) 4-2
#96 Kyle Webster (Honda) 3-6
#20 Wilson Todd (Honda) 7-7
#47 Todd Waters (Husqvarna) 10-6
#153 Hamish Harwood (KTM) 6-10
#199 Nathan Crawford (KTM) 5-11
#8 Zachary Watson (Husqvarna) 8-9
#81 Joel Evans (Yamaha) 9-13

Top 10 Standings post Round 8 of 8:

#96 Kyle Webster (Honda) 382
#14 Jed Beaton (Yamaha) 382
#199 Nathan Crawford (KTM) 301
#5 Kirk Gibbs (GasGas) 297
#4 Luke Clout (Kawasaki) 252
#47 Todd Waters (Husqvarna) 245
#24 Brett Metcalfe (Kawasaki) 214
#8 Zachary Watson (Husqvarna) 206
#81 Joel Evans (Yamaha) 160
#20 Wilson Todd (Honda) 116

MX2 CLASS: CONNOLLY SWEEPS

Championship winner Brodie Connolly refused to rest on his laurels at QMP, winning both Pirelli MX2 motos in dominant fashion. While he won the opening race, there was plenty of action behind the Polyflor Honda Racing rider as racers vied for valuable series points.

Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Ryder Kingsford took the holeshot, but came under Connolly’s pressure early on. Kingsford determinedly hung onto P2, finishing 3.6s behind New Zealand’s Connolly, and two seconds ahead of a hard-charging Alex Larwood (Froth Honda Racing), who recovered well from an early error.

KTM Racing Team’s Kayden Minear made a last-lap pass on Noah Ferguson (Boost Mobile Honda Racing) to claim P4 and snatch an extra couple of crucial points in the championship fight.

In the final MX2 moto of the season, Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Jayce Cosford was awarded the holeshot, but Connolly pushed himself into the lead within a handful of corners and continued to push the pace, stretching out a 9.5-second lead before the final chequered flag fell.

Cosford put in a solid race to finish a lonely second, as Minear got the better of Larwood and Kaleb Barham (Yamalube Yamaha Racing) to finish third. Larwood and Barham finished their season with a P4 and P5 result.

RESULTS

Top 10 Overall