ALL REVVED UP
Speed. Dirt. Power. Action. Experience heart‑thumping, adrenaline‑pumping thrills, as the world’s best motocross riders descend upon Darwin to compete in the 2025 Motocross Grand Prix Championship (MXGP), held for the first time in the Top End.
WORDS RITA HORANYI
FOR THOSE OF you not familiar with the MXGP, the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) Motocross World Championship, as it’s officially known, is a big deal. We're talking global phenomenon kind of a big deal.
The Grand Prix of cross-country motorbike racing, the MXGP brings together the best motocross riders from around the world to compete in 20 races across 17 different countries. Challenging riders with a variety of tracks and terrains, this year's championship culminates in balmy, ol’ Darwin.
It’s been over two decades since the MXGP championship has been held in Australia, and for Darwin to have secured such a high-profile race is a real coup.
NT Major Events Company (NTMEC) has joined forces with Infront Moto Racing and Motorcycling Australia to bring this hugely anticipated event Down Under until 2029.
“It’s really exciting to have something here that’s been missing from Australia for so long, and this is the right place to have this event. It’s an amazing opportunity to showcase Darwin and the Northern Territory,” says NTMEC Executive Director, Aimee Luxton.
“This is a sport that has huge reach globally ... so there’ll be people watching with great interest, not just at the track, but around the world. What an incredible opportunity for people to see what a fantastic place we live in.”
With so many eyes on Darwin, event organisers have pulled out all the stops to ensure a spectacular experience, including engaging Australia’s leading motocross track builder Protraxx to build a custom track at Hidden Valley.
Featuring 22 corners, 21 jumps – including a dramatic 100-foot triple step-up and a 90-metre start straight! – the track is engineered to deliver high-speed action and nonstop excitement.
“People who are into motor sport will be incredibly impressed by what they will get to see right here in Darwin,” Luxton says.
The action doesn’t stop with the MXGP. For the first time ever, the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship takes place in Australia, alongside other exhilarating races including the MX2 (world championship for riders under 23), and nationwide competitions in the MX3 (14-18 years) and MX85 (12-16 years) classes.
Bringing together 83 of the best junior riders from across the country, the national showdowns see each state and Territory enter a team to compete for glory. Representing the NT is the Territory Dingoes, with riders hailing from as far as Alice Springs and Nhulunbuy. Territory Dingoes Coach Tim Gwynne reckons these races offer young riders extraordinary opportunities.
“This level of racing is absolutely at the pinnacle. We’re riding on a world-class track ... the level of riders we’re going to have up here is ... unfathomable ... It’s going to be a real eye-opener to see these guys in person on a track. In the Territory, we are used to travelling big distances to get to meets ... to have an international race on our doorstep ... the team is just ecstatic.”
In addition to the electrifying races, there’s a whole range of fun activities taking place across the weekend, from signing sessions with riders to Taste of the Territory food experiences, performances by local musos – even a Reptile Petting Zoo. Kids are well catered for, too, with a dedicated Protraxx Kids Zone that includes a sandpit with a mini MXGP track build.
If you’re into motorcycling racing, or even if you’re not, the MXGP offers you plenty of reasons to get revved up.
MXGP of Australia
WHEN FRI 19 – SUN 21 SEP
AT HIDDEN VALLEY MOTORSPORTS COMPLEX
COST FREE-$1,695
INFO mxgpaustralia.com.au
