There’s nothing better than performing on the biggest stage in your own backyard – and even sweeter when eye-catching performances open pathways to further opportunities in FIM World Championships.

It happened at the turn of the century when the FIM Motocross World Championship was last held Down Under, and now a fresh wave of local motocross aspirants will get the same chance when they compete at the MXGP of Australia in Darwin from September 19-21.

The first round of wildcard selections, chosen by Motorcycling Australia and endorsed by MXGP rights holder Infront Moto Racing, have now been made, with all riders drawn from the four main classes – MX1, MX2, MX3 and MXW – of the 2025 Penrite ProMX Championship presented by AMX Superstores(ProMX).

Current and former ProMX champions Todd Waters and Byron Dennis are among the 15 wildcards who will compete at the Hidden Valley track against the high-flying FIM World Championship regulars in the MXGP, MX2 and WMX (women’s) classes.

The balance of the wildcards will be announced over coming weeks, with more than 30 local riders expected to be on the starting gates in Darwin as the FIM Motocross World Championship makes its return to Australia after 24 years.

The first round of MXGP of Australia wildcards are as follows:

MXGP

  • Todd Waters (Qld, Husqvarna)
  • Cooper Holroyd (NSW, Yamaha)
  • Hugh McKay (Tas, GASGAS)
  • Jacob Sweet (Vic, Yamaha)
  • Cody O’Loan (Qld, Yamaha)

MX2

  • Jet Alsop (Qld, Honda)
  • Byron Dennis (NSW, KTM)
  • Seth Morrow (Qld, Honda)
  • Travis Olander (NSW, Triumph)
  • Deacon Paice (WA, Triumph)

WMX

  • Tayla McCutcheon (Qld, Kawasaki)

  • Madi Simpson (Qld, Yamaha)

  • Emily Lambert (SA, GASGAS)

  • Leah Rimbas (WA, Honda)
  • Darci Whalley (Qld, KTM)

 

For 14 of the 15 wildcards, the MXGP of Australia will be the first time they’ve experienced the cauldron and intensity of FIM world motocross competition, while 34-year-old Todd Waters has previously traded blows against the best in the business.

Waters, who made his FIM Motocross World Championship debut in 2014 and only last year competed as a wildcard in the MXGP of China, is overjoyed at making a return to the paddock which was his home for many years.

“As a young rider, it was a dream to have the opportunity to compete in MXGP,” said Waters, who finished ninth in the 2015 MXGP title.

“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!”

Waters says the scale of the MXGP of Australia is going to be a real eye-opener for Australian riders and fans.

“It’s a world championship, so everything is big and exiting. 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.”

At the other end of the experience scale, two riders currently competing in the MX3 class of ProMX, Jet Alsop and Seth Morrow, are testing themselves against the world’s best in Darwin as MX2 wildcards.

Although it will be a baptism of fire, Alsop for one cannot wait for the excitement of world championship racing.

“I’m super excited to have a MX2 wildcard for the MXGP in Darwin,” said 18-year-old 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. Bring it on!”

Seven rounds remain in the 2025 MXGP and MX2 world titles, starting in the Czech Republic from July 25-27. The WMX is at the halfway mark of six rounds, with all three championships concluding at the MXGP of Australia.

Frenchman Romain Fevre (MXGP), German Simon Langenfelder (MX2) and Lotte Van Drunen (WMX) currently lead the respective standings.

For more information and to purchase tickets to the MXGP of Australia, click here.