As the MXGP of Australia arrives at Hidden Valley this weekend – the final round of the 2025 season – an assortment of storylines are forming as the world championship returns down under for the first time in over 20 years. In this edition of Q&A, MotoOnline outlined the primary drawcards leading into Darwin.

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Q: Where are both the MXGP and MX2 championships at leading in?

A: Plenty of talk has surrounded the return of the MXGP series to Australia for the first time in over two decades, which is undoubtedly the topic of interest when it comes to the arrival of the world championship. Amidst this talk, though, the fact that the Darwin event is also the 2025 season finale has been understated, which is a huge milestone within itself. Both the MXGP and MX2 division titles are still to be decided, with 2015 champion Romain Febvre in the box seat to clinch an emphatic second crown, a decade on since his first triumph. He has 47 points in hand over the second-placed Lucas Coenen, meaning that a finish within the points is all that is required to claim the title after moto one. Meanwhile, in MX2, Simon Laengenfelder holds a 16-point advantage over reigning champion Kay de Wolf, with each showdown setting the stage for what will be a pretty neat celebration in the top end.

Q: Who is currently in form?

A: In the premier MXGP class, Lucas Coenen has posted a stellar first season on 450 machinery, boasting five overall victories as well as a total of 13 moto wins. In short, it’s been really good for the Belgian, with the same being said for KTM stablemate Jeffrey Herlings. ‘The Bullet’ has been ultra-fast at times, but missed a bunch of races due to injury, which says much about his career to date. He posted a 1-1 result last time out in China, so keep an eye on the Dutch icon at Hidden Valley this weekend. In MX2, Laengenfelder has been super-strong all season long, withstanding pressure from de Wolf throughout as the number one has battled with moments of inconsistency. The MXGP of China, however, belonged to Sacha Coenen, who scored a 1-3 result while teammate Andrea Adamo earned the second moto victory. These are the top contenders for each category currently, with a range of others to watch out for.

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Q: Which ProMX contenders will line up as wildcards?

A: A topic of discussion over the last couple of months, really ever since Motorcycling Australia (MA) released the list of wildcards who would participate in Darwin. Speaking to the national governing body, it was explained that everyone was free to apply, with MA adding some input from there when working with Infront Moto Racing as to who would compete as wildcards. In a nutshell, the upcoming AUSX Supercross Championship kept riders such as Brodie Connolly and – ultimately – Nathan Crawford from competing, as they prioritised their indoor domestic campaigns. For 2025 MX1 champion Kyle Webster, he’s focused on the upcoming Motocross of Nations (MXoN) in the United States, leaving him out of an event you’d otherwise expect him to be part of. Given all this, we have riders such as Todd Waters, Zac Watson, and Levi Rogers spearheading MXGP, while Byron Dennis and Jet Alsop will lead the MX2 charge. Reigning four-time MXW champion Charli Cannon was added to the WMX roster, which adds some extra firepower to the Australian contingent.

Q: What will the circuit present to riders?

A: This one is a bit more of an unknown, as what has been created is a purpose-built motocross track within the Hidden Valley Motor Sports Complex – a place that is popular amongst motorsport fans thanks to the annual visit of the Supercars Championship. The initial release outlined that the circuit would adhere to ‘strict international premium standards,’ adding that it would feature bigger jumps, faster straights, and more technical obstacles. Further, the surface was said to comprise a 70/30 mix of both sand and clay. Early images show that all of this seems to be the case and has been executed, although, being that it’s the first time for pretty much everything in the top end, it will be fascinating to see how all riders attack the track this weekend, and how the surface develops.

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Q: Will the event be broadcast?

A: Yes. It was announced last week that across both the Nine Network and Stan Sport, live free-to-air and streaming coverage will be available from Sunday’s race day. As mentioned, fans in Sydney, Brisbane, and Darwin will be able to tune into 9Gem for the action, while Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth audiences will be able to watch live on 9Rush. The free-to-air service will only feature each of the two premier-class MXGP races, whereas Stan Sport will showcase four hours of live coverage on Sunday, which will include both the MXGP and MX2 racing live. For the full timing breakdown, read more here.

Q: Are there other categories to watch for?

A: Definitely! The FIM Women’s World Motocross Championship (WMX) will be on the line for their final round of 2025, and currently, reigning champion Lotte Van Drunen holds a 16-point lead over Italian Kiara Fontanesi with two motos remaining, and a total of 50 points on offer. Spanish contender Daniela Guillen is one point from Fontanesi, meaning that three riders are still in mathematical contention entering Australia. Additionally, State of Origin-style support races for both MX3 and MX85 will allow young Australian talent to showcase their skills on the world stage.