The SMX League has announced a partnership with the AUSX Supercross Championship to create SMX Next Australia, marking the first regional extension of the official development programme that feeds the Monster Energy SMX World Championship.
The initiative aims to provide increased opportunities for young athletes across Australia and New Zealand by offering a dedicated platform to develop their skills, gain race experience, and showcase their talent on a pathway to professional SMX racing.
Created in 2024, SMX Next is a season-long development programme that combines SMX Next Supercross, the SMX Next Scouting Moto Combine, and the SMX World All-Stars. The platform provides a structured progression route for elite prospects working towards professional SMX competition.
Australia and New Zealand have an established history of producing world-class talent, including three-time SMX World Champion Jett Lawrence and current points leader Hunter Lawrence, both from Landsborough, Queensland. Hunter Lawrence also claimed his first premier class Pro Motocross Championship at the recent Ironman National Finals in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
Rising star Cole Davies from Waitoki, New Zealand, recently secured the 250cc Pro Motocross Championship. His credentials also include 2025 Monster Energy Supercross 250 AMA Rookie of the Year and the 2026 Eastern Divisional 250SMX Championship. Both Davies and two-time SMX World Champion Haiden Deegan are products of the SMX Next development programme.
“Australia and New Zealand have long produced some of the greatest talent in the world in the likes of Ben Townley, Chad Reed and now the Lawrence brothers and Cole Davies,” said Mike Muye, Senior Director of Supercross, SMX League. “SMX Next Australia creates a premier pathway for riders who are working to advance in the sport and pursue elite level goals. The focus is on identifying, encouraging, and supporting the next generation of SMX talent.”
Adam Bailey, President of the AUSX Supercross Championship, stated: “By creating additional opportunities for athletes, SMX Next Australia can help strengthen the future of racing throughout Australia and New Zealand. SMX Next Australia supports rider development whilst helping build fan interest, participation, and momentum for the sport abroad.”
The Boost Mobile AUSX Supercross Championship, presented by Monster Energy, begins on Saturday, 3 October in Townsville, Queensland. The series schedule includes:
- 3 October – Townsville, Queensland
- 31 October – Auckland, New Zealand
- 7 November – Geelong, Victoria
- 14 November – Perth, Western Australia
- 28 November – Newcastle, New South Wales
SMX Next Australia will feature top prospects at each round of the AUSX Supercross Championship. Finalists will be invited to participate in the 2027 SMX Next World All-Stars event as part of the 2027 SMX World Championship Playoffs. The 2027 Monster Energy SMX World Championship schedule will be announced in October.
Photo: SMX League Media
