Supercross returned to Auckland for the first time since 2019, with more than 17,000 fans packing North Harbour Stadium to watch hometown hero Cole Davies dominate the SX2 class of the AUSX Supercross Championship. The New Zealander delivered a perfect performance aboard his Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing YZ250F, winning all three finals on a slick and technical circuit.
Davies, the 2026 AMA 250cc Supercross and Motocross Champion, had his race bike delivered to the stadium just hours before proceedings began but wasted little time establishing himself as the rider to beat.
He went on to claim all three SX2 race wins, completing a dominant night in front of his home crowd.
“This week has been awesome, and it’s so good to see so many people turn up to a Supercross in New Zealand. I watched the last one in 2019 from the grandstands, so to be back here now and racing in front of so many people is special to me,” Davies said.
“Thank you to everyone that turned out and the fans that came over today to say hello and cheer me on. I could hear them out on the track, and racing here today was a dream come true moment for me and my family.”
Yamaha also claimed the SX3 overall victory through Jack Deveson, while Aaron Tanti finished fifth in SX1 despite carrying injuries from a recent training crash.
SX1 – BEATON SIDELINED AS TANTI FIGHTS THROUGH
It was a difficult start to the Supercross campaign for CDR Monster Energy Yamaha, with Jed Beaton forced to withdraw before racing began after injuring his wrist during Friday’s media day.
Beaton, who had been representing Australia at the Motocross of Nations alongside teammate Aaron Tanti, entered the Auckland round with limited Supercross preparation.
Swelling in his wrist worsened overnight, and after attempting the opening qualifying session, Beaton elected to withdraw rather than risk further injury.
“I’m not exactly sure what’s going on, but it is pretty swollen today, and I just didn’t have the movement to be able to ride safely at a reasonable speed,” Beaton said.
“I will get back and get a scan and X-ray on it as quickly as possible and see what’s happened.”
Beaton hopes to return for Geelong, pending the results of medical examinations.
That left Tanti as CDR Yamaha’s sole SX1 representative. Despite still feeling the effects of a training accident the previous week, he recorded 5-4-5 results to finish fifth overall.
Tanti improved as the night progressed but admitted small crashes and mistakes prevented him from challenging the podium.
“The track was tough tonight, more because it lacked grip than the actual obstacles themselves. I struggled with the whoops as they fell apart and made too many mistakes, but it was my first Supercross in a while, so hopefully things can improve from here,” Tanti said.
Ken Roczen claimed the SX1 overall victory ahead of Christian Craig and Luke Clout.
SX2 – TURNER’S PODIUM CHANCES ENDED BY FIRST-TURN CRASH
While Davies dominated SX2, it was a frustrating night for the Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha pairing of Lux Turner and Noah Ferguson.
Turner showed front-running speed throughout qualifying, posting the third-fastest lap before finishing second in his heat race.
However, his chances of an overall podium disappeared in the opening final when he and teammate Ferguson crashed in the first turn.
Turner’s YZ250F suffered significant damage to its handlebar mounts, forcing him to retire from the race.
He recovered to finish third in the second final and fifth in the third, including leading several laps in race two, but the opening DNF left him eighth overall.
“I didn’t get a good start at all in race one, and then coming into the first turn, I felt someone hit me from the back, and that pushed me into Noah, and we both went down. It’s not a good way for a team to start the night when we are both on the ground in race one,” Turner said.
“Races two and three were better, and my starts made things a little easier. I led race two for a while but rode defensive when I should have continued to attack the track and stay with Cole.”
Ferguson also struggled after the opening-race crash, finishing 16-11-11 for 13th overall. The Queenslander admitted poor starts and mistakes had cost him valuable positions.
“It wasn’t a good night, and I know I can do much better than that. I was top five in the first round, so I know I’m capable of running near the front; I just need to get through the first lap in a better position and then reduce the mistakes,” Ferguson said.
Yamaha’s Max Anstie finished fifth overall, while Monster Energy WBR Yamaha’s Seth Burchell was 14th.
SX3 – DEVESON SWEEPS ALL THREE FINALS
Monster Energy WBR Yamaha’s Jack Deveson bounced back from his second-place finish at Townsville to dominate the SX3 class in Auckland.
Deveson won all three finals despite regularly having to work his way through the field, securing the overall victory and taking the championship lead into Geelong.
“I was disappointed not to win in Townsville, as I thought I was the fastest in the class, but I just kept making it hard on myself with some mistakes. But this round I was determined to get things right, and it feels good to get it done for the team and leave here with the red plate,” Deveson said.
Teammate Hayden Draper made his Supercross debut in front of his home crowd, finishing eighth overall with 11-5-8 results.
The New Zealander entered the event with limited preparation after suffering a collarbone injury several weeks earlier but completed all three finals on one of the toughest circuits he has faced.
With Davies and Deveson securing victories in SX2 and SX3, Yamaha leaves Auckland with two class wins and several riders looking to improve when the championship returns to Australia.
Round 3 of the AUSX Supercross Championship takes place at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong on 7 November.
