The third round of the ProMX Championship stands as a reminder that our sport is built on courage, fearlessness, and resilience as we lost one our most loved privateers, Joel Evans.
This weekend, our incredible team of racers delivered outstanding performances. We are so proud of their efforts: Kayd Kingsford, Charli Cannon, and Kyle Webster each won their respective classes, while Brodie Connolly secured equal first in MX2. A special mention also goes to Jet Alsop for his hard-fought second place in MX3 — a truly determined ride.
However, this morning’s reflection isn’t just about podiums and points. It’s not about how we achieved these results, and today there will be no rider quotes or celebrations. Instead, we pause to honour and remember one of our own — a privateer hero, Joel Evans, who tragically passed away following an accident on track yesterday.
Joel Evans lived and breathed motocross. A decade ago, he lay in hospital with a broken back, his future uncertain. Through incredible strength and resilience, he fought back through multiple surgeries and, against all odds, returned to the sport he loved.
Motocross was in Joel’s blood. Introduced to racing on a 50cc, he grew up in a family deeply connected to the sport — his sisters raced, and his brother-in-law is one of our treasured champions. For Joel, motocross was more than just competition; it was a way of life, a shared family passion.
Joel chased his dream with everything he had. He travelled the country, racing, training, sharing his journey openly through his social channels. He competed successfully both here and overseas, often sacrificing comfort and stability to pursue his passion — but if you had asked him, he would have said he sacrificed nothing.
Yarrive Konsky, Director of Honda Racing Australia’s Factory Team, reflected on Joel’s spirit:
“Joel’s spirit reminded me so much of my own. He lived for the dream, every dollar earned, every sacrifice made was simply to make it to the next race. Fancy clothes, new cars, luxury holidays, none of that mattered to him. What mattered was putting fuel in the tank, getting to the next track, and chasing his potential.
I’ll never forget the conversation we shared in 2021. There we were, me at 46, him at just 24 or 25, there with his selfless partner Michaela, just talking about he was chasing his dreams. Joel and I, both there for the same reason: not for a pay cheque, but for the love of racing, the need to grow, to push ourselves – the spirt of competition, we both raced that day. That day, neither of us earned a thing, but we both left richer in spirit. I am sure it was a state race in South Australia but that didn’t matter, we were racing our dirt bikes.
Joel embodied what it truly means to be a motocross warrior, a dream chaser in its purest form. His passion, his resilience, and his heart are what made him so special and why he’ll be remembered forever.”
Motocross is a sport without limits, but it demands everything, often for little financial reward. Privateers like Joel are the foundation of our sport. In fact, 85% of the world’s professional motocross racers are privateers, chasing dreams with heart and sacrifice most will never fully understand.
And yet, they would tell you they sacrifice nothing because they are living their passion.
Yesterday reminds us how tightly bound we all are in this community. We are a family of dream chasers, bound by a shared love for the sport and the freedoms it brings us. Joel’s loss affects us all.
Today, we say thank you, Joel — for your commitment, your resilience, and your unwavering spirit. Thank you for inspiring every privateer who lines up to chase their dreams.
We will race on, carrying your spirit with us.
Rest in peace, Joel.
