{"id":2710,"date":"2022-10-18T01:03:54","date_gmt":"2022-10-18T01:03:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wsxp2.u.thrivex.io\/?p=2710"},"modified":"2023-04-26T04:15:27","modified_gmt":"2023-04-26T04:15:27","slug":"pilot-season-for-fim-world-supercross-championship-culminates-in-melbourne-where-four-champions-will-be-crowned","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wsxp2.u.thrivex.io\/pilot-season-for-fim-world-supercross-championship-culminates-in-melbourne-where-four-champions-will-be-crowned\/","title":{"rendered":"Pilot Season for FIM World Supercross Championship Culminates in Melbourne Where Four Champions Will Be Crowned"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
AUSTRALIA (October 10, 2022) \u2013 <\/strong>The FIM World Supercross Championship descends into Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia on October 22nd <\/sup>for the culmination of its pilot season with the Australian Grand Prix. <\/strong>History will be made as four FIM World Champions will be crowned, with the WSX, SX2, Team, and Manufacturer championships all up for grabs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The WSX Class Championship will be headlined by a battle between Germany\u2019s iconic Honda Genuine rider, Ken Roczen, and hard-charging American, Vince Friese, riding for MotoConcepts Honda. Both riders are in prime position to take home the title of FIM World Champion with several other 450 riders in the mix looking to spoil Roczen and Friese\u2019s chances. Round one wildcard, Eli Tomac – who dominated Cardiff sweeping all three main event heats – will not be heading to Australia, leaving the Championship fight between Roczen and Friese – with just three points separating the two riders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Within striking distance of the WSX Championship is is Honda\u2019s Justin Brayton, just eight points off the lead, and American CDR Yamaha rider Josh Hill – who has won rounds of the Australian Supercross Championship in the past – sitting 17 points out heading into Melbourne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Melbourne event had looked to be a dramatic homecoming for Chad Reed after coming out of retirement at the age of 40 for this year\u2019s pilot season. Unfortunately for Reed, the British Grand Prix proved catastrophic when a fuel pump failure on his MDK Motorsport KTM threw him off-track during his heat race, resulting in a dislocated shoulder, broken hand, and broken ribs. Having already returned to Australia, Reed underwent surgery this week and is expected to make a full recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to Reed, MDK Motorsports rider Josh Grant was injured in Cardiff and will also be out for the final round in Melbourne. As a result of the two injuries, Australian replacement riders Joel Wightman and Jackson Richardson will race for MDK Motorsports in Melbourne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although Australian legend Chad Reed is out of action for this weekend\u2019s event, fellow countryman and Aaron Tanti has a chance to make history. The Craig Dack Racing rider and local favorite comes into Melbourne just eight points behind SX2 points leader, Shane McElrath, riding for Rick Ware Racing. Tanti\u2019s local storyline aside, the SX2 Championship battle will be intense with Americans Chris Blose and Mitchell Oldenberg only one and two points back of McElrath respectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n