The FIM Junior Motocross World Championship has kicked off in Australia for the 2018 edition of the event. Showcasing the best young riders around the world as they race for their chance to be crowned Junior World Champion all while represent their country. The unique event combines both the traditional individual style of motocross and with a patriotic team aspect. Often referred to them as the future of motocross, the riders of the Junior World Championship are the most competitive young riders in the classes of 125cc and 85cc along with those fighting for the 65cc World Cup.

Warm temperatures have Horsham’s circuit, and Australia as a whole for that matter, will be hosting a motocross event of this type for the first time in history. Horsham itself is a regional city in the Wimmera region of western Victoria with a population of about 17,000 and a very relaxed atmosphere located on a bend of the Wimmera River 300 kilometers from Melbourne.

This evening riders and teams from 22 countries attended the opening ceremony at Horsham Town Hallto get the weekend rolling. While the biggest applause went to the home riders of the Team Australia, their competition will be strong. The opening ceremony also included Special Program at the beginning with a traditional performance from Aboriginal Australians.

Along with the performance and team presentation this evening FIM/CMS Director Tony Skillington, Youthstream Representative Patricia Maskarova, President of Horsham Motorcycle Club Kenny Watts, and Mayor of Horsham Cr Pam Clarke took the stage where Mr. Watts wished all the best as it is only the start of a successful career such as that of Wilvo Yamaha Official MXGP’s Jeremy Sewer who finished 3rd in the event during 2009 but has since gone on to join the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team. Cr Pam Clarke followed to thank everyone who has come to Horsham, a city that is proud and glad to host the best young riders in the world.

In the 125cc class several top level and experience riders from around the globe all capable of becoming 2018 Junior World Champion. Team USA will field the strong Max Miller against current European Championship leader Thibault Benistant from France along with the Netherlands’ Raivo Dankers, Rick Elzinga, and Raf Meuwissen. Adding to the list of possible winners is 2017 85cc Junior World Champion Eddie Jay Wade from the UK plus Czech Republic’s Petar Polak and Italy’s Mattia Guadagnini.

The 85cc class hosts well know riders also and will be extremely competitive with the new EMX85 Champion Camden Mc Lellan from South Africa going against the American, Ryder Difrancecso and the Belgian, Liam Everts. A further look into the entry list however bring even more competition for the podium to mind with the strong Dutch youth of Kay Karssemakers and Kay De Wolf or even Spain’s Raul Sanchez.

While both the other classes of 125cc and 85cc have many returning or proven talent the 65cc Junior World Cup class is full of young and relatively unknown talents who are each trying to put leave their names at the top of the results. Racers to look out for include the newly crowned EMX65 Champion Brando Rispoli from Italy and young female superstar Lotte Van Drunen from the Netherlands.

Now well into the Australian night Friday is complete and the first riders will be on track tomorrow morning. Updates from Australia can be found via our live timing HERE, www.mxgp.com, Facebook, Twitter, as well as Instagram plus don’t forget to subscribe to our MXGP-TV YouTube Channel HERE for free video content.