The 2026 Australian Supercross Championship is about to deliver one of its most anticipated races of the season.
Reigning AMA Supercross 450SX champion Ken Roczen headlines a stacked international field for the AUSX Open at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong, Australia, on Saturday, November 7.
After sweeping all three SX1 finals in Auckland, Roczen arrives with considerable momentum. But the competition is about to get stronger.
Justin Barcia will make his long-awaited AUSX Open debut with Suzuki, while Honda HRC Progressive's Jo Shimoda prepares for his first 450cc Supercross race.
Meanwhile, New Zealand star Cole Davies looks to build on his dominant Auckland performance in SX2.
With championship points on the line, new international competitors joining the field and Triple Crown racing returning, Geelong is shaping up as a major weekend for international Supercross.
Ken Roczen Looks to Continue His Auckland Dominance
Ken Roczen was nearly untouchable in Auckland.
The reigning AMA 450SX champion won all three SX1 finals at North Harbour Stadium on October 31, delivering a perfect result aboard his Suzuki RM-Z450.
Christian Craig finished second overall, while Australian contender Luke Clout completed the podium.
The result was another statement performance from Roczen, who recently confirmed that he will return to Suzuki to defend his AMA Supercross championship in 2027.
Rather than stepping away from the sport following his long-awaited championship victory, Roczen has committed to another season of racing.
His international appearances are now providing valuable competition time ahead of the January AMA season opener.
Geelong presents another opportunity to continue that momentum, but the addition of Barcia and Shimoda makes the SX1 field even more competitive.
Justin Barcia Makes His AUSX Open Debut on Suzuki
One of the biggest attractions in Geelong will be the arrival of Justin Barcia.
The veteran American racer officially joined Pipes Motorsports Group's Suzuki program for the 2027 SuperMotocross season and is scheduled to make his first competitive appearance aboard the Twisted Tea Suzuki at the AUSX Open.
Barcia was previously announced for the Australian event in 2018 but was unable to compete after undergoing eye surgery.
Eight years later, he is finally set to make his appearance.
His aggressive racing style and extensive AMA Supercross experience make him a noteworthy addition to the SX1 field.
Barcia will join fellow Suzuki rider Ken Roczen in Geelong, giving fans an early opportunity to see two major names from the manufacturer's 2027 racing plans competing at the same event.
For Barcia, the weekend is also an opportunity to begin developing familiarity with his new Suzuki program in actual race conditions.
How quickly he adapts will be one of the most interesting questions heading into Saturday night's racing.
Jo Shimoda Prepares for His First 450cc Supercross Race
Another major storyline involves Honda HRC Progressive rider Jo Shimoda.
The Japanese star, who captured the 2025 250SMX World Championship, will make his announced 450cc Supercross debut at the AUSX Open.
Shimoda has already gained experience aboard a 450 motorcycle in international motocross competition, but Geelong represents a different challenge.
The technical demands of stadium Supercross, combined with the larger motorcycle and experienced SX1 competition, create a valuable opportunity for the Honda rider.
Shimoda is scheduled to compete in Geelong and the following AUSX round in Perth before returning to the 250 class for the 2027 AMA Supercross season.
His Australian 450 appearances should not be interpreted as a permanent move to the 450SX division for 2027.
For now, fans will get an opportunity to see how Shimoda performs against established premier-class competitors including Roczen, Barcia and Craig.
Cole Davies Returns After a Perfect Auckland Weekend
While SX1 receives much of the attention, the SX2 division has its own major attraction.
Cole Davies arrives in Geelong after a dominant performance at the Auckland round.
The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider swept all three SX2 finals in front of his home-country fans, defeating a field that included Cameron McAdoo and Brodie Connolly.
Davies' 1-1-1 result earned him the maximum 75 points from the evening.
The performance followed a successful 2026 American racing season that included championships in 250SX East and 250 Pro Motocross.
Geelong gives Davies another opportunity to demonstrate his speed against experienced 250-class competition.
But his rivals will be looking to close the gap.
McAdoo finished second overall in Auckland, while Connolly remains a leading contender in the Australian championship.
Their next meeting could have an important influence on the SX2 championship picture.
Christian Craig Leads a Competitive SX1 Championship
Despite Roczen's dominant performance in Auckland, Christian Craig remains the SX1 championship points leader heading into Geelong.
Craig opened the season with victory at Townsville and followed that result with second overall in Auckland.
His consistency has given him 116 points after the opening two rounds.
Luke Clout sits second on 100 points, followed by Cedric Soubeyras on 94.
Roczen's perfect 75-point Auckland result placed him fourth in the championship standings.
The arrival of additional international competitors increases the challenge for regular championship contenders trying to maximize their results.
For Craig, another strong round would strengthen his championship position.
For Clout and Soubeyras, Geelong provides an opportunity to close the gap.
SX2 Championship Battle Remains Tight
The SX2 points battle is even closer.
Following Auckland, Brodie Connolly and Cameron McAdoo are tied at the top of the championship standings with 94 points each.
Davies sits third with 75 points after his Auckland sweep, followed by Lux Turner on 74.
Stark rider Michael Hicks is fifth with 73 points.
The narrow gaps mean a single round could significantly alter the standings.
McAdoo's improving results and Connolly's early consistency have made them leading championship contenders, while Davies has demonstrated that he can dominate an individual event.
Geelong will be an important test for all three.
AUSX Extends Triple Crown Racing for the Rest of 2026
Another development emerged ahead of the Geelong event.
AUSX organizers have decided to continue using Triple Crown racing across the remaining rounds of the 2026 championship.
AUSX CEO Adam Bailey confirmed the decision in November 6 reporting by MotoOnline.
Geelong was already expected to feature three finals per class, but organizers have now extended that approach to the later rounds in Perth and Newcastle, which were previously planned with double-final formats.
The decision is intended to provide additional racing and help balance the championship points opportunities available to full-season competitors against international guest riders who contest only selected events.
Auckland's three-final format produced dominant performances from Roczen and Davies.
Continuing Triple Crown racing should provide championship regulars additional opportunities to compete for points during the remainder of the season.
The precise final race schedule and points procedures should be confirmed against official AUSX event regulations.
Stark's Electric Motorcycles Remain Another Storyline
Stark Factory Racing has also added a new dimension to the 2026 Australian Supercross Championship.
The electric-powered Stark VARG motorcycles compete directly against conventional gasoline-powered motorcycles in the existing SX1 and SX2 classes, following the Australian approval of eligible electric race bikes.
In Auckland, American veteran Vince Friese finished seventh overall in SX1 aboard a Stark, earning 41 points.
His teammate Jorge Zaragoza finished 11th in SX1, while Michael Hicks was seventh in SX2.
The results provided another example of electric racing motorcycles competing within a professional Supercross field.
As the championship continues, Stark's progress remains a story worth following.
The final Geelong entry list will establish which members of the program take the starting gate this weekend.
AUSX Open Geelong: Date, Time and Venue
The 2026 AUSX Open takes place Saturday, November 7, at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
According to the official event schedule:
- 1:00 PM AEDT: Fan Fest begins.
- 1:50 PM AEDT: Rider signings begin.
- 2:30 PM AEDT: VIP early entry.
- 5:00 PM AEDT: General admission gates open.
- 6:00 PM AEDT: Main stadium program begins.
- 9:30 PM AEDT: Approximate event conclusion.
For American viewers in the Mountain Time Zone, the 6:00 PM Australian start corresponds to 12:00 AM MST on Saturday, November 7.
Individual qualifying, heat race and final start times may differ from the published stadium program start.
Fans attending the event should consult the official schedule for late changes.
How to Watch AUSX Open Geelong in the United States
International viewers can follow the Australian Supercross Championship through AUSX 360, the championship's official international streaming platform.
The service offers live and replay coverage, with access requirements and pricing available through its website.
Australian viewers can follow the event through announced domestic broadcasters, including 7plus and Kayo.
For broadcast information, visit the official AUSX How to Watch page.
For tickets, venue information and event updates, visit the official AUSX Open event page.
A Major Weekend Before the 2027 AMA Season
The AUSX Open brings together several major storylines as international Supercross racing continues through the offseason.
Roczen is looking to continue his winning form.
Barcia is preparing for his first event aboard his new Suzuki.
Shimoda will get an early opportunity to measure himself against premier-class Supercross competition.
Davies is attempting to extend his remarkable 250-class momentum.
And the full-season Australian championship contenders are battling for valuable points as the series approaches its final two rounds.
For American Supercross fans, the event offers a preview of several major riders before the 2027 season begins in Anaheim.
Geelong is set for an international Supercross showdown, and Supercross.com will follow the results as the AUSX Open unfolds.
Read our Auckland AUSX results coverage, explore the latest confirmed 2027 team lineups, and follow Supercross.com for race results and international Supercross news.
Photo: AUSX Supercross — Justin Barcia aboard his Twisted Tea Suzuki RM-Z450 during testing ahead of the AUSX Open. Sources: AUSX Supercross (Barcia and Shimoda announcements, event schedule); MotoOnline (Triple Crown format reporting, November 6, 2026); official Auckland results.
