Four local wildcards will compete in the hotly contested MX2 class at the 2026 MXGP of Australia presented by Sitzler in Darwin from September 18-20.
With the MX2 world championship set for a blockbuster finale at Hidden Valley, the Australian charge will be led by KTM star Byron Dennis who is currently running third in the MX2 class of the ProMX Championship.
Dennis was a MX2 wildcard at the 2025 MXGP of Australia, finishing just outside the top 10 in both motos. Deacon Paice (KTM) also joined Dennis in Darwin last year, and he too will return to the Top End in 2026.
Riley Burgess (KTM) and Thomas O’Neill (Yamaha) are the other wildcards.
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Paice and O’Neill are also MX2 campaigners in ProMX, while 17-year-old Burgess is full of youthful exuberance: he’s competing in the MX3 development class in 2026 and remains in championship contention after multiple podium finishes.
The MX2 world championship has already produced plenty of spice in 2026, with five different moto winners and Darwin preparing for final round fireworks between the likes of rapid Spaniard Guillem Farres (Triumph), Belgian wiz Sacha Coenen (KTM) and German defending champion Simon Langenfelder (KTM).
For more information on the MXGP of Australia, including the three-day program and ticketing options, visit mxgpaustralia.com.au.
MX2 WILDCARDS AT 2026 MXGP OF AUSTRALIA
• Deacon Paice, WA, KTM
• Byron Dennis, NSW, KTM
• Riley Burgess, NSW, KTM
• Thomas O’Neill, Qld, Yamaha
