What began as a clean sweep on track for Brodie Connolly at Round 2 of the 2025 ProMX Championship in Appin ended in controversy and disappointment, with Motorcycling Australia (MA) officially confirming that the Honda rider’s Moto 2 victory has been revoked following a final tribunal decision.
The New Zealander appeared to extend his dominant form in the MX2 class, qualifying fastest and storming to victory in both motos on the day. Initially declared the round winner with a perfect 1-1 scorecard, Connolly’s charge looked unstoppable.
However, a penalty was issued mid-race in Moto 2 after Connolly, who was locked in a close battle for third with Ryan Alexanderson, was alleged to have gained an advantage by leaving the track. While the two-position penalty was initially overturned after the race, it was later reinstated by the stewards after the podium ceremonies, following further review. The decision dropped Connolly to third in the moto and handed the win—and the round overall—to Ryder Kingsford, who had crossed the line in second.
Kingsford, who had finished runner-up in Moto 1 after a late charge through the field, admitted the win came under unusual circumstances. “I don’t have any idea on what happened on the track and why there was even a penalty for Brodie,” he said. “I didn’t see what the issue was and only knew because my pit board said he had a penalty, but I do know that it’s not the way I want to win races.”
Honda Racing Australia formally appealed the penalty, triggering a drawn-out process that lingered for weeks. After a full review by MA’s independent tribunal—which included video footage and rider interviews—the Chair of Tribunal ultimately ruled to reject the appeal. The decision of the Clerk of Course, made during the race, was upheld: rider #1, Brodie Connolly, was penalised two positions in Moto 2 for gaining an off-track advantage.
MA confirmed the result as final, stating that “no further appeal is possible” and the matter is now closed.
The final results from Appin see Ryder Kingsford take the round win with 47 points, ahead of Connolly (45) and his Honda teammate Alex Larwood (38). Despite the controversy, Connolly retains the red plate heading into the next round with 95 points, but Kingsford has now closed the gap to just six points in the MX2 standings.
