SMX League Announces SMX Next Australia
T
he SMX League announced
a new venture in SMX Next
Australia, the first regional exten-
sion of the SMX Next develop-
ment program. SMX has now
partnered with the Australian-
based AUSX Supercross Champi-
onship to create another feeder
program for the Monster Energy
SMX World Championship. SMX
Next Australia is designed to cre-
ate more opportunities for young
athletes across Australia and
New Zealand and will feature
top prospects at each round of
the AUSX Supercross Champion-
ship. Finalists will be invited to
participate in the 2027 SMX Next
World All-Stars event as part
of the 2027 SMX World Champi-
onship Playoffs.
"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 work-
ing to advance in the sport and
pursue elite-level goals."
"By creating additional oppor-
tunities for athletes, SMX Next
Australia can help strengthen
the future of racing throughout
Australia and New Zealand,"
said Adam Bailey, president of
the AUSX Supercross Cham-
pionship. "SMX Next Australia
supports rider development
while helping build fan interest,
participation, and momentum for
the sport abroad."
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VOLUME 63 ISSUE 36 SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 P33
Finalists from the SMX Next Australia will be invited to
participate in the 2027 SMX Next World All-Stars event in the
2027 SMX World Championship Playoffs.
De Wolf to Miss Remaining
MXGP Season
N
estaan Husqvarna Factory
Racing says Kay de Wolf will
miss the remaining three rounds
of the 2026 FIM Motocross
World Championship season,
along with the FIM Motocross of
Nations at Ernee, France, after a
crash that resulted in a hand in-
jury. The setback brings an early
end to de Wolf's rookie MXGP
campaign. De Wolf is currently
ninth in the MXGP World Cham-
pionship standings and recently
finished second overall at his
home Grand Prix in Arnhem.
"Unfortunately we had a crash
on Monday, which has ended up
bringing my season to an early
finish," said de Wolf. "I picked up
another injury to my hand, which
means I'll miss the final rounds
of the season and also the
Motocross of Nations, which I'm
disappointed about. I would have
loved to represent my country at
the Nations, but unfortunately
that won't be possible this year.
The focus now is on recovery. I'll
have surgery around the middle
of the month to fix my ankle
[which he injured during qualify-
ing at the MXGP of Italy in June],
and then we'll get straight into
rehab with the aim of being fully
fit for next season."
CN
MXGP rookie Kay de Wolf suffered
a hand injury and will miss the final
rounds of the FIM Motocross World
Championship and the Motocross
of Nations in Ernee, France.
