Looking Forward: Super X 450s

So the first round of the Australasian Super X was a mud-fest, and while the cream usually still rises to the top in conditions like that, it does still add an element of luck into proceedings. As the series heads north-east to Wollongong, NSW we're going to break down the individuals who make up the 450 class and see who exactly is likely to come out on top in the 2011 Super X championship.

Tye Simmonds - Winner of Melbourne and probably the top dog in the field. He raced the 2011 AMA Supercross this year with a best placed finish of 10^th at Las Vegas so he has the speed and will be looking to improve on his 4^th place championship finish last year.

Jay Marmont - The elder of the two Marmont brothers, he's most famous for his amazing victory over Chad Reed at a Super X race in 2009, just days after his baby daughter died. He's a proven winner outdoors as well but will be hoping for a better performance in his home town of Wollongong, after a disappointing 8^th in Melbourne.

Billy Mackenzie - The Scotsman has had a good time of things, since his arrival a couple of years ago. He's won numerous times both in the Australian Nationals and in the Super X and without any established Americans running the series; he has to fancy his chances of winning. He came 2^nd at Melbourne so is right up there with a shout.

Ryan Marmont - Another Australian who rode in America this year, and he seems to be benefiting from the experience. He rode the West coast Lites and got a 7^th place finish at the Los Angeles round so it was no surprise to see him finish 3^rd at Melbourne in round one.

Jake Moss - A disappointing 10^th place finish is not what people were expecting from the elder Moss brother. Jake will need to bounce back at Wollongong before he loses too many more points to his rivals as he looks for another championship podium spot.

Dan Reardon - One of the most experienced riders in the field, but he never seems to be able to put it all together consistently. Last year he came 5^th in the championship but a couple of bad rounds ruined his chances to place any higher, and unfortunately his 2011 campaign got off to a bad start as he could only come 9^th at Melbourne.

Michael Phillips - Top Kiwi in the field and one that can definitely challenge for wins. He won a Super X round on his home soil in 2008 so has the pedigree and after his 6^th in the Melbourne mud, is still well in with a shout.

Chris Blose - Surprisingly Chris is the top American to be riding the 450 class this year, which is a shame seeing as riders like Alessi, Hansen and Windham have all come over in previous years. He struggled in the mud in round one, coming 12^th and will be hoping to show some American teams that he does have the speed in order to pick up a ride for A1.

So these are the main players of the series, with the title likely to end up somewhere amongst them, and while there may not be the tier 1 riders of previous years, it could still be one of the most exciting championships to watch as there really could be eight different winners.