2018 Australian MXoN Team Announced

Motorcycling Australia has announced the 2018 FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) team selected to represent Australia at RedBud in the USA on October 6-7. Kirk Gibbs, Hunter Lawrence and Mitch Evans will be looking to back up or better last year’s effort, where Team Australia finished sixth Overall.  

After making his MXoN debut last season, Gibbs is back and ready to once again race alongside the world’s best. His 2018 MX Nationals season was impacted by injury in the back half of the season, but before the injury, Gibbs was sitting in second position in the MX1 standings. A fully fit Gibbs could play a pivotal role within the Australian team as he makes his return from injury.

Lawrence also made his first MXoN appearance last season, and has spent this year contesting the MX2 class in the MXGP Motocross World Championship. The highlight of his 2018 season so far has been a second place finish in moto one at the Grand Prix of Patagonia in Argentina. With his experience competing on the world stage, Lawrence will be well versed against the strong competition in his class.

Coming fresh off finishing in second position in the MX Nationals MX1 class, Mitch Evans will once again represent Team Australia after making his debut appearance in 2016, when he was called up as the replacement rider for the injured Jed Beaton. One of Australia’s brightest motocross prodigies, Evans will thrive in his second opportunity to test himself on the world stage.

For the first time, Michael Byrne will fill the Team Manager role, while long-time Australian TM, Gary Benn, will still be present in an Assistant role. Byrne is excited with the crop of riders representing Australia and feels as though this MXoN will be one for the record books.

“I’m really happy with the group of guys selected this year,” said Byrne. “I think we have a strong team of riders who all have previous experience at MXoN and will all bring their best efforts in representing Australia. RedBud is always such an awesome atmosphere, add the fact that it’s hosting an MXoN, it will no doubt be one for the record books, so I’m excited for the guys and hope we do the Green and Gold proud this year.”

To keep up-to-date with all the news from the 2018 Motocross of Nations, stay tuned to the Motorcycling Australia website.