Beaton blitzes Wonthaggi ProMX opener

Yamaha star returns from injury to dominate MX1 as Larwood and Turner also go unbeaten in a sun-soaked Round 1 of the 2026 Penrite ProMX Championship

Yamaha’s Jed Beaton has launched his 2026 Penrite ProMX Championship presented by AMX Superstores campaign in style, winning both Kawasaki MX1 motos in commanding fashion at Wonthaggi on March 21-22.

Raced under brilliant autumn sunshine at the popular Victorian venue, Beaton’s clean sweep was matched across the weekend by Honda’s Alex Larwood in Pirelli MX2 and American Lachlan Turner (Yamaha) in Ezilift MXW, while Hayden Draper (Yamaha) and Jack Deveson (Yamaha) split the Maxxis MX3 moto wins. The event also featured Fox Racing MX85, along with the third instalment of the FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Cup, won by the United States of America ahead of Australia and New Zealand. Round one was supported by the Victorian Government through its Significant Sporting Events Program and the Bass Coast Shire Council.

Kawasaki MX1

Back in MX1 action after missing the final two rounds of 2025, Beaton looked comfortable from the outset and ultimately stamped his authority on both 25-minute plus a lap races, winning moto one by 49 seconds and moto two by 25 seconds to begin his chase for a maiden MX1 title with a maximum 50 points.

“Great day for me and the team,” Beaton said. “Since coming back from my injury, there has been a lot of work put in, and it was nice to see it show up at round one. This track is a tough one, so if your fitness isn’t up to scratch or your bike isn’t good, it gets exposed. So, really happy with the work done and now we move onto round two and try and do it again.”

Behind him, defending champion Kyle Webster (Honda, 3-2) fought through a painful weekend after injuring his right foot in a qualifying incident, finishing second overall on a countback from returning four-time MX1 champion Dean Ferris (Kawasaki, 2-3) with both riders ending on 42 points. Todd Waters (Husqvarna) and Aaron Tanti (Yamaha) completed the top five overall and sit fourth and fifth in the standings on 34 and 32 points.

Moto one saw Beaton check out early, with Webster’s day complicated after he crashed again in the early stages and had to remount and charge back through the field. Webster’s late pass on Tanti secured third behind Ferris, while Waters rounded out the top five ahead of Luke Zielinski (Yamaha), Wilson Todd (Honda) and Liam Jackson (Honda). In moto two, Webster grabbed the holeshot before Beaton again broke away, with Ferris third over Waters and Zachary Watson (KTM). It was a tough round for Watson’s KTM teammate and reigning MX1 number two, Crawford, who ended the weekend 13th overall.

Pirelli MX2

Larwood was equally untouchable in Pirelli MX2, winning both motos by more than 20 seconds to claim a perfect 50 points. Kayd Kingsford (Honda) impressed on debut with second in moto one as Dylan Walsh (KTM) finished third, while the second moto podium featured Byron Dennis (KTM) and Walsh.

Dennis’ 4-2 scorecard (40 points) earned him second overall on a countback from Walsh, followed by Kingsford (36), Noah Ferguson (Yamaha, 34) and Ryder Kingsford (Honda, 27).

Maxxis MX3

In Maxxis MX3, Yamaha’s new pairing of New Zealander Hayden Draper and Jack Deveson traded wins in the 20-minute plus a lap contests. Draper, now full-time in MX3 after contesting the final three rounds of 2025, won the opener from Deveson and Riley Burgess (KTM), followed by Seth Thomas (GasGas), Jackson Fuller (KTM) and Heath Fisher (Honda).

Deveson responded in moto two with a strong win as Fuller improved to second ahead of Draper, Fisher, Jobe Dunne (Yamaha) and Burgess. Deveson leaves Wonthaggi leading the championship by two points, 47 to 45 over Draper, with Fuller (38), Burgess (35), Fisher (33) and Thomas (30) next in line.

Ezilift MXW

Turner’s Wonthaggi weekend added more silverware after helping anchor the USA to victory in the FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Cup, then backing it up by winning the Ezilift MXW round overall as her speed and racecraft proved too much even for reigning champion Charli Cannon (Honda).

Cannon’s title defence took an early hit after a mechanical issue on the final lap of moto one, but she rebounded with second in moto two and was classified 10th overall. Sixteen-year-old American Mayla Herrick (Honda, 2-3) finished second overall ahead of fellow American Jordan Jarvis (Yamaha, 4-4), with Taylah McCutcheon (Kawasaki, 3-5) equal on points with Jarvis, followed by Emma Milesevic (Yamaha, 6-6) and Jamie Astudillo (GasGas, 5-7). Herrick and Jarvis are not expected to continue beyond Wonthaggi, making Turner’s opening statement even more significant.

Fox Racing MX85

Fox Racing MX85 saw defending champion Blake Bohannon (Yamaha) pick up where he left off, taking both motos ahead of Jayce Stocker (KTM), with Ethan Wolfe (Husqvarna) and Liam Millard (GasGas) claiming third places across the two races in a stacked 85cc field.

Round two of the 2026 ProMX Championship heads to Canberra on Sunday, April 19.

ProMX Results Round One – Wonthaggi