Round four of the 2025 AUSX Championship delivered huge drama and major momentum shifts for Yamaha’s SX2 and SX3 title contenders, with Ryder Kingsford and Ryder Malinoski emerging as the big winners under the lights of Marvel Stadium.
Kingsford Takes Control of SX2
It was a night of pressure, emotion, and execution for Ryder Kingsford, who leaves Melbourne with the SX2 red plate and a strengthened points lead heading into the Adelaide finale.
Kingsford entered the round sitting second behind his Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha teammate Lux Turner, but the championship picture changed early when Turner crashed in practice and suffered a suspected broken wrist. The US rider — who had carried a 26-point lead into Melbourne — was ruled out of the night and the remainder of the series.
With the title suddenly in reach, Kingsford needed a composed performance — and he delivered. A third in the opening final behind Shane McElrath and rival Alex Larwood, followed by a strong second in race two, handed him third overall for the round and pushed his championship advantage out to 12 points.
It wasn’t easy. Kingsford briefly exited the track in Final 1, and he also dealt with the emotional blow of seeing his younger brother assisted off the circuit in SX3 earlier in the night. But he reset, executed two strong starts, and kept his focus on the riders who mattered in the points.
“There was a lot going on tonight, so to finish on the podium and gain a few points is a good outcome,” Kingsford said. “The goal wasn’t race wins — it was beating the guys in the championship.”
Heartbreak for Turner and Cosford
Turner’s crash was a cruel blow in what had been a standout season for the American, who immediately suspected a wrist injury after being ejected from his bike at the end of the whoops. Further scans will determine the extent of the damage, but his title run is over.
Jayce Cosford also watched from the sidelines, his own season halted by a shoulder injury requiring surgery.
Malinoski Makes His Move in SX3
In SX3, Yamaha enjoyed another surge as Ryder Malinoski delivered a flawless main event to take the round win and seize the SX3 championship lead.
Malinoski entered Marvel Stadium carrying momentum from his Round 3 victory but still faced a 19-point deficit. His day started slowly as he struggled to adapt to the slick red-clay surface, but when the gate dropped for the main, he was unstoppable — holeshot, control, and smart race craft all the way to the chequered flag.
Misfortune struck his championship rival Kayd Kingsford, who hit the deck twice and was eventually forced to retire, handing Malinoski a massive points swing. He now leads the SX3 standings by three points, with Jack Deveson second and Kingsford five points further back.
Podium Double for WBR Yamaha
The Monster Energy WBR Yamaha team had more to celebrate as Koby Hantis stormed to third place in SX3. Despite a mid-race crash while challenging for second, his early pace kept him clear of the pack and secured a valuable podium finish.
Tough Luck for Woods
Teammate Ky Woods again found himself on the wrong side of racing luck. After looking strong early in the day, he struck a downed rider in the main event, bending his shift lever beyond repair and forcing a retirement.
Final Showdown in Adelaide
The 2025 AUSX Championship now heads to Adelaide for the final showdown — held alongside the Supercars season finale with more than 200,000 fans expected through the gates.
Yamaha heads into the last round with:
- SX2 championship leader: Ryder Kingsford
- SX3 championship leader: Ryder Malinoski
- Multiple podium contenders across both classes
- A chance to close out two national titles in one weekend
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