SMX Next Australia to Serve as Regional Extension of SMX Next Development Platform
The SMX League® is partnering with the Australian based AUSX Supercross Championship to create SMX Next Australia, the first regional extension of the official SMX Next development program that feeds the Monster Energy SMX World Championship.
The SMX World Championship is the premier offroad motorcycle racing series in the world and features world-class talent from all around the globe including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, France, Germany, and the United States. More than eighty athletes from twenty plus countries have competed in the world championship since 2023.
Created in 2024, SMX Next is a season-long development program that combines SMX Next Supercross, the SMX Next Scouting Moto Combine and the SMX World-All Stars into one program. The development platform provides a clear, structured path for the most elite prospects to progress toward professional SMX racing.
SMX Next Australia will create more opportunities for young athletes across Australia and New Zealand by providing a dedicated platform to develop their skills, gain meaningful race experience, and showcase their talent.
Australia and New Zealand have a proud history of producing world-class SMX racers evidenced by three-time SMX World Champion (2023,2024,2025) Jett Lawrence and current SMX World Championship points leader Hunter Lawrence, both hailing from Landsborough, Queensland, Australia. Hunter Lawrence also won his first premier class Pro Motocross Championship at this past weekend’s Ironman National Finals in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
Rising star and newly crowned 250cc Pro Motocross Champion Cole Davies is from Waitoki, New Zealand. His resume also includes 2025 Monster Energy Supercross 250 AMA Rookie of the Year and 2026 Eastern Divisional 250SMX Championship accolades.
The Lawrences participated in the former development program (Supercross Futures) but Cole Davies and two-time SMX World Champion (2023,2024) Haiden Deegan are both products of the SMX Next development program.
“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.”
“By creating additional opportunities for athletes, SMX Next Australia can help strengthen the future of racing throughout Australia and New Zealand,” stated Adam Bailey, President AUSX Supercross Championship. “SMX Next Australia supports rider development while helping build fan interest, participation, and momentum for the sport abroad. The program will continue to build on the strong heritage we already have by investing in future generations and giving emerging athletes a stronger platform.”
The Boost Mobile AUSX Supercross Championship, presented by Monster Energy begins on Saturday, October 3 in Townsville, Queensland with additional stops in Auckland, New Zealand on October 31, Geelong, Victoria on November 7, Perth, Western Australia on November 14, and Newcastle, New South Wales on November 28. SMX Next Australia will feature top prospects at each round of the AUSX Supercross Championship and finalists will be invited to participate in the 2027 SMX Next World All-Stars event as part of the 2027 SMX World Championship Playoffs. Dates and locations for the 2027 SMX World Championship Playoffs and Final will be announced in January 2027.
The 2027 Monster Energy SMX World Championship schedule will be announced in October and will include the SMX Next dates and locations.
