SIGNING SESSION, SALTWATER AND SINGING HORSEMAN GIVE MXGP A TOP END WELCOME

DARWIN (Australia) 18 September 2026 - The MXGP World Championship Paddock returned to the Darwin Waterfront Precinct today for the official Media Event, organised once again in partnership with the Tourism & Events Northern Territory. A year after World Championship Motocross made its long awaited return to Australia, the fans were back in great number, queuing to meet their MXGP heroes on the eve of the season's decisive weekend.

Before the formalities got underway, some of the braver riders got up close with the local wildlife, holding snakes, lizards and even crocodiles. Dixon Racing Team Kawasaki's Courtney Duncan and De Baets AIT Yamaha Supported Team's Lotte van Drunen led the way for the WMX contingent, while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Andrea Adamo and Sacha Coenen and Red Bull Ducati Factory MXGP Team's Calvin Vlaanderen also showed that their nerve is not reserved for the race track!

As in 2025, the event began with a traditional Saltwater Welcome to Country, but this year the ceremony was preceded by a poignant didgeridoo performance. The deep, resonant sound of one of the world's oldest instruments drifted across the waterfront and brought a respectful hush over riders, teams and fans alike, setting the tone for what followed.

An elder of the Larrakia people, the Traditional Owners of the land and waters around Darwin, then performed the Welcome to Country, including a blessing of the waterfront. Riders were given a cultural explanation before taking part themselves with a symbolic barefoot step into the water, acknowledging the Larrakia as the Traditional Custodians, the “Saltwater People” of Darwin.

Following the ceremony at the Lagoon Pool, the riders took their places at the signing tables and the waiting fans eagerly collected autographs and selfies, with souvenir posters, shirts, flags and caps all filling up with signatures as the evening went on.

The first on many autograph shopping lists were Honda HRC PETRONAS teammates Jeffrey Herlings and Tom Vialle, while reigning MXGP World Champion Romain Febvre sat alongside his Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP teammate Pauls Jonass. The Triumph Racing MX2 Factory Team duo of Guillem Farres and Camden McLellan were also in the front row of stars, ready to sign the posters, cards and shirts put before them.

Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing's Liam Everts and Venrooy KTM Racing's Jeremy Seewer were also kept busy, as were Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 brothers Karlis and Janis Reisulis, Dixon Racing Team Kawasaki's Kay Karssemakers, Japan's Souya Nakajima and Manuel Carreras from RFME Spain National Team. TEAM Honda Motoblouz SR Motul's Kevin Horgmo also made the trip despite being unable to race this weekend, making sure he was there for the Australian fans.

WMX racers were just as much in demand, with RFME Spain National Team's Daniela Guillen, Kiara Fontanesi, Shana van der Vlist, Alexandra Massury and JK Racing Yamaha's Nellie Fransson all signing for a steady stream of fans, alongside American sensation Lachlan Turner.

The home crowd also had plenty of their own to cheer, with Byron Dennis and Australia-based New Zealander Dylan Walsh joined by a number of other Australian riders, all enjoying the atmosphere on the eve of their home Grand Prix.

The big difference this year came from the Outback itself. Instead of last year's jetpack display, the crowd was treated to a performance by Tom Curtain, the Katherine based horseman, dog trainer and Golden Guitar winning country music singer songwriter behind the Katherine Outback Experience.

With his team of working dogs, horses and even goats, Curtain put on a stunning little show, putting his animals through their paces with remarkable ease. The highlight came when he picked up his guitar and sang while riding his horse, completely mesmerising an audience that ranged from the youngest kids at the front to fans of every age!

All in all, it was a memorable evening that blended culture, Outback tradition and MXGP stardust, and built even more excitement for the weekend ahead. The on-track action gets underway tomorrow morning as the MXGP of Australia Presented by Sitzler starts in earnest at the Hidden Valley Motorsports Complex outside Darwin!

All the photos from the MXGP of Australia presented by Sitzler will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

Catch all the racing LIVE on MXGP-TV! 

Saturday’s Time Practice (MXGP/MX2), the Qualifying Races (MXGP/MX2), and Races from all classes will be broadcasted LIVE on MXGP’s streaming service www.MXGP-TV.com, while results throughout the weekend will be available  HERE.

TIMETABLE

SATURDAY:
10:30 WMX Free Practice, 10:55 MX2 Free Practice, 11:25 MXGP Free Practice, 12:10 WMX Qualifying Practice, 12:45 MX2 Time Practice, 13:20 MXGP Time Practice, 14:25 WMX Race 1, 15:15 MX2 Qualifying Race, 16:00 MXGP Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY:
09:45 WMX Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 12:15 MX2 Race 1, 13:15 MXGP Race 1, 15:10 MX2 Race 2, 16:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

MXGP Australia