Release from 11.08.2024
Budd found himself back on the podium for the first time since round two of the 2024 season. After logging the fourth-fastest qualifying time aboard his Husqvarna FC 250, the opening MX2 moto saw him work his way forward throughout the race, finishing in P7.
The second moto saw him round the first turn in second position and he was able to maintain pressure for the entire race, crossing the line within striking distance of the win and securing a well-earned runner-up overall in the race and overall. Budd has also improved to fifth in the championship standings with one round remaining.
Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team team-mate Mather also found himself mixing it up with the MX2 front-runners in his best performance of the year. After qualifying eighth, Mather factored inside the top five throughout the opening moto and finished fourth.
After a top-10 start to the second moto, unfortunately, he tangled with another rider and went down early on, but was able to recover well to seventh and finish the day with his first top-five round result in his rookie year.
In MX1, former champion Waters set the eighth-fastest qualifying time on his Husqvarna FC 450 and finished the moto in ninth after going down. The second moto saw Waters hold down P7 for the duration of the race, which led to seventh overall, and he retains P5 in the standings.
Todd Waters: “What a day that was. It was slick out there, especially for our opening moto when they put a lot of water on the track. I got into a good position early, but when I tried to make a pass back on a rider, he stalled it in the corner and I went down. It was a really disappointing moment for me. In the second moto I got an average start and just rode around in that position. It was frustrating, as I know I’ve got a lot more to give.”
Rhys Budd: “It’s been a long time, but it feels amazing to be back on the box in P2. I’m really happy with the way I rode in moto two. I was really close to getting my first career win in ProMX, and it was great to stick it to the championship leader for 25 minutes. I’ve struggled with arm strength and arm-pump a lot this year, but we’ve been able to get on top of that now, and it feels good to almost land a moto win.”
Jack Mather: “My day started well and I had a decent qualifying. In the first moto, I had a good start, which was nice. I put myself in a good position and finished fourth, just shy of the podium. The second moto I got another good start but went down with another rider, and had to fight my way back from 15th to seventh. Finishing one point off the podium today has started to fuel the fire. The past few rounds have been up and down, so it’s great to have a decent result and something to build off for the final round.”:
Next round: August 17-18 – QMP, Queensland
2024 Australian ProMX Championship – MX Farm, QLDMX1 round results:1. Kyle Webster (Honda)
2. Jed Beaton (Yamaha)
3. Kirk Gibbs (GASGAS)
4. Luke Clout (Kawasaki)
5. Zachary Watson (Husqvarna)
7. Todd Waters (Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team)MX1 championship standings:1. Kyle Webster (Honda) 346
2. Jed Beaton (Yamaha) 332
3. Nathan Crawford (KTM) 275
4. Kirk Gibbs (GASGAS) 257
5. Todd Waters (Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team) 219MX2 round results:1. Brodie Connolly (Honda)
2. Rhys Budd (Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team)3. Alex Larwood (Honda)
4. Jack Kukas (Husqvarna)
5. Jack Mather (Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team)MX2 championship standings:1. Brodie Connolly (Honda) 319
2. Kayden Minear (KTM) 241
3. Noah Ferguson (Honda) 240
4. Ryder Kingsford (Yamaha) 234
5. Rhys Budd (Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team) 21110. Jack Mather (Raceline Husqvarna Racing Team) 145