CDR Yamaha selects Kaleb Barham and Ryder Kingsford for SX2

Kaleb Barham and Ryder Kingsford have become the latest riders to join the FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) grid for the 2024 season, with the pair joining CDR Yamaha’s ranks in the series’ SX2 250 class.

Barham, 26, made his WSX debut in 2023 as an SX2 Wildcard entry in Melbourne and kick-started his career in the championship with a top 10 finish after going 10-12-10 against tough competition in the season finale.

A consistent participant in the Australian Supercross SX2 Championship since 2018, Barham has taken steps forward every season and claimed a landmark first podium in the series last year.

READ MORE: Eli Tomac to race in WSX in 2024

This result served as a springboard for Barham who reached a new height earlier in 2024 by claiming his first MX2 victory in the ProMX Motocross Championship in Toowoomba.

With CDR Yamaha, Barham will set out on his first full-time season as part of WSX’s SX2 class later this year.

Kaleb Barham, SX2 Rider, CDR Yamaha, said: “I’m looking forward to returning to WSX. By making my debut as a Wildcard entry in Melbourne last season, I was able to get a good taste of what the championship is about, and I’m excited to take on the series full-time in 2024. I feel like my riding has improved by a good amount this season, and I’m hoping that I’ll be able to show the result of my hard work on the track with more top 10s and potentially a few podiums.”

Barham’s team-mate, Ryder Kingsford, has never raced in WSX but has also enjoyed a competitive 2024 after securing six podiums and two wins in the ProMX Championship’s MX2 category.

Placing third in the series, with top 10 finishes in all but four races, Kingsford was only eight points shy of vice championship success but already has his sights set on his next objective as he gears up for the WSX SX2 season.

READ MORE: Matt Moss joins Eli Tomac at CDR Yamaha

As a promising talent at only 19 years old, Kingsford is part of a new generation of Australian riders and is set to show his speed on the world stage for the first time as part of CDR Yamaha’s SX2 lineup.

Ryder Kingsford, SX2 Rider, CDR Yamaha, said: “WSX has an international grid of very talented riders, and I’m excited to put myself up against some of the best in the world. With third in the ProMX SX2 series, 2024 has been good for me so far and so much of our sport is based on form and momentum. I feel like momentum is with me, but I know I can’t take anything for granted. I just want to maximise every opportunity, do the best that I can on track, and see what that leads to when we’re on the grid in Abu Dhabi.”

The 2024 season will commence on 26 October with the WSX Canadian GP at BC Place in Vancouver. It will continue on 23-24 November at HBF Park in Perth for the double-header WSX Australian GP, before ending on 4 December at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Craig Dack, Team Principal, CDR Yamaha, added: “Kaleb and Ryder are used to racing one another domestically, and I know that their experience, determination, and hunger for success will create a strong dynamic and collaborative work ethic in SX2 this season. They’re at slightly different stages in their career, but they both want to make an impact in WSX and I’m confident that we’ll see them do that in Vancouver, Perth and Abu Dhabi.”

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