Moss Brothers: What Investigation?

“Two of the sport’s biggest names have suddenly been sidelined from racing because they’re under investigation. Investigation for what? Good question. It’s a topic that everyone has been tiptoeing around.”

Since the Conondale round of the MX Nationals back in mid-July, Australian Motocross has been under scrutiny because two of its biggest names – two brothers, both of whom are multiple MX and SX champions – were suddenly sidelined from racing because they’re under investigation. Investigation for what? Good question. It’s a topic that everyone has been tiptoeing around. And many believe the ongoing lack of clarity on the matter is beginning to damage the sport.

In the absence of official correspondence from Motorcycling Australia, the National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team (which Matt and Jake Moss both signed with for season 2016), or either of the Moss brothers themselves, speculation has run rampant – much of which, it has to be said, is ill-informed or just plain wrong.

So, for now, let’s stick to the incontrovertible facts of the matter, which are:

• To explain why neither Moss brother appeared at the Conondale round of the MX Nats on July 17, a brief mention at the end of Kawasaki Australia’s post-Conondale press release said: “Both Matt and Jake Moss were absent from the Conondale round due to personal reasons.”
• On July 18, Kawasaki Australia issued another press release, stating (in its entirety) that, “Kawasaki Motors Australia can confirm Matt Moss and Jake Moss were absent from the Conondale round of the 2016 MX Nationals on Sunday, 17 July, due to sporting disciplinary circumstances still currently under investigation. Further information will be released in due course.”
• Earlier this week, on August 9, Kawasaki Australia sent a third press release. This one confirmed that Jake Moss had tendered his resignation from the National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team, citing a desire to focus on his family and career away from the sport, but not ruling out a return to racing [Here’s the entire content of that PR]
• The promoter of the MX Nats, WEM’s Kevin Williams, has not been prepared to comment on the situation, other than confirming with Transmoto that, “The only official correspondence WEM has received has been from the Kawasaki race team, confirming that they’d withdrawn the race entries of Matt Moss and Jake Moss, until further notice”.
• Troy Carroll, principle of the National Pump Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team, has answered Transmoto’s calls, but remains unprepared to make any comment, based on legal advice.
• Motorcycling Australia’s CEO, Peter Doyle, has also fielded calls from Transmoto, but declined to comment.
• Matt Moss and Jake Moss have not replied to Transmoto’s calls.

Okay, they’re the facts. But where to from here? What does “sporting disciplinary circumstances” even mean? When can we expect some official information about this ‘mystery’ from Motorcycling Australia, WEM, Team Kawasaki or Matt and Jake Moss? Well, according to Transmoto’s sources, meetings involving the concerned parties have been scheduled to take place in the coming days. So as soon as we know any more information – information that we’re at liberty to divulge, that is – we’ll be sure to make it public.