Two races, one Weekend: Australian Supercross Divided as Deegan Makes a Choice
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A clash of supercross titans is set too unfold in Australia this weekend, November 23-24, 2024, creating a logistical and promotional challenge for the sport. While the FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) hosts its Australian Grand Prix in Queensland, the Boost Mobile AUSX Supercross championship will crown its 2024 champions at its series finale in Adelaide-over 1,000 miles away. The scheduling conflict has sparked controversy, with accusations of intentional disruption and questions about the role of sanctioning bodies.
The situation is particularly noteworthy due to the high-profile riders competing.WSX has assembled a star-studded lineup including Ken Roczen, Eli Tomac, Cooper Webb, and American phenom Haiden Deegan. Deegan’s participation in the WSX event represents a significant test against established champions, but also highlights the split in focus for Australian supercross fans.
A Scheduling Dispute
The conflict isn’t merely a matter of two events happening concurrently. According to MotoOnline.com, the issue stems from a complex history involving the ownership and operation of Australian supercross series. The current WSX series evolved from the AUS-X Open, previously run by the same team now managing the Australian Supercross Championship. After a prior unsuccessful run under that leadership, WSX transitioned to new ownership, while Adam Bailey returned to focus solely on Australian-based events.
Bailey believes the WSX scheduling is intentional. They come this year to intentionally, in my opinion, impact our series,
Bailey told MotoOnline’s Nic Still. Going on the same date [as Adelaide] is clearly an attempt to do that, wich I think is disappointing.
He further expressed his disappointment that Motorcycling Australia [MA] did not intervene to prevent the overlap, stating, I think it’s disappointing that we weren’t protected from that by MA… My opinion is that [it’s] bully tactics by them [SX Global].
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The Adelaide event,coinciding with the final round of the Australian Supercars championship,carries significant weight as it determines the Australian Supercross Champions for 2024. This parallel is akin to holding the final race of a major American motorsport championship alongside the NASCAR Championship finale.
Did You Know?
The AUS-X Open, a precursor to the current Australian Supercross Championship and WSX Australian GP, was once a standalone event attracting international talent and significant media attention.
key Dates and Locations
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| WSX Australian GP | November 23-24, 2024 | Queensland, Australia |
| Boost Mobile AUSX Supercross Championship Finale | November 23-24, 2024 | Adelaide, Australia |
Pro tip:
Follow MotoOnline.com for in-depth coverage of the Australian supercross scene and ongoing developments regarding the scheduling conflict. https://www.motoonline.com.au/
The geographical distance between the two events-over 1,000 miles-will undoubtedly fragment audience interest, media coverage, and sponsorship opportunities. The situation raises questions about the future of supercross scheduling in Australia and the potential for collaboration between different series organizers.
What impact will this scheduling conflict have on viewership and fan engagement for both events? And will Motorcycling Australia take steps to prevent similar clashes in the future?
Supercross Growth and Global Competition
Supercross has experienced significant growth in recent years, fueled by increased media coverage, sponsorship investment, and the emergence of charismatic riders like Haiden Deegan. The FIM world supercross Championship (WSX) represents an attempt to create a global supercross series,but faces challenges in establishing itself alongside established national championships like the Australian Supercross Championship and the American Monster Energy Supercross series.Scheduling conflicts, like the one in Australia, highlight the complexities of coordinating events in a rapidly expanding sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the WSX Championship? The FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) is a global supercross series aiming to establish a premier international competition.
- Who is competing in the WSX Australian GP? Top riders including Ken Roczen, Eli Tomac, Cooper Webb, and Haiden Deegan are scheduled to race.
- Why is there a conflict with the Australian Supercross championship? WSX scheduled its Australian GP on the same weekend as the Australian Supercross Championship finale.
- What has Adam Bailey said about the scheduling? Bailey believes WSX intentionally scheduled the event to disrupt the Australian series and is critical of Motorcycling Australia’s lack of intervention.
- Where are the two races taking place? The WSX Australian GP is in Queensland, while the Australian Supercross Championship finale is in Adelaide.
This weekend promises thrilling supercross action, but also underscores the challenges facing the sport as it navigates a competitive landscape.We’ll be following the results from both events closely. If you enjoyed this article, please share it with your fellow supercross fans and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
