TEAM AUSTRALIA – THE WAIT IS OVER

Just over 40 years ago, Team Australia made their first appearance at what was then called the Motocross des Nations. Well in fact, the men from down under didn't race the MXoN, but just the Trophée des Nations, as it seemed a slightly easier route to their first ever major international venture. All racers on 250 machines was more to the liking of the Aussies than running the 500cc class against the World's best.

The journey to Matterley Basin for Team Australia, last weekend has been a long one, tattered in highs and lows, podiums and moto wins, but never had Team Australian lifted the Chamberlain Trophy in victory.

Australians number one rider in 1984, Stephen Gall was joined by Trevor Williams, Vaughan Style and David Armstrong. Held on the weekend of 15-16 September 1984 in Varberg, Sweden. The Aussies were competitive, but due to a series of mechanical failures, including a rare stator coil failure on Williams Kawasaki in the qualifying heats, the Australian team was relegated to the B final, but more importantly, they were now involved and knew what to expect in the following years.

Just two years later, at the Maggiora circuit in Italy, Craig Dack finished fourth in a moto and fourth overall in the 250 class and Australia finished fourth overall. A year later in USA, at a very muddy Unadilla event, it was a different story, as they struggled big time and never showed anything of their 1986 form, but in recent years, Australia has shown signs of brilliance.

Back in the 1980s and early 90s it was Jeff Leisk leading races, and battling the Americans, then came Chad Reed in the late 90s and 2000s who brought Australia some joy at this event, being the first Australian to win a race at the MXoN, when he won the opening race in 2001 at Namur, before Jett and Hunter Lawrence arrived and started putting Australia back on the map.

Many Aussies have shown signs of their true class, be it Craig Dack at Maggiora in 1986, Leisk in France in 1988 and Sweden in 1990, Chad Reed, first at Namur in 2001 and on so many other occasions, be it 2009 in Italy, or 2011 in France and also Dean Ferris in Germany in 2013. Hunter Lawrence winning his class at Matterley in 2017, where he won the MX2 overall, or his three second places in the MX2 class in 2018, 2022 and 2023.

Last weekend, the 40-year wait was over as a Jett Lawrence led team, with huge support from brother Hunter, and MX2 rider, Kyle Webster, Australia raised the Chamberlain trophy above their heads in a celebration that will go on for weeks in Australia.

Now, as we head into 2025, the Australian Grand Prix awaits in Darwin, and of course, a week or two after that event, Team Australian will defend their Monster Energy FIM MXoN trophy. I have a good feeling, both the Aussie GP and the MXoN at Ironman will be something not to forget.

Photo Credit: Ray Archer