SX Global addresses controversial WSX SuperFinal call
Mistake sees Friese start in place of Moss at Australian Grand Prix.
Image: Foremost Media.
World Supercross Championship (WSX) organizer SX Global has moved to address a controversial call that saw Matt Moss forced to miss Saturday night’s SuperFinal in Western Australia after an error saw his starting position handed to Vince Friese.
CDR Yamaha Monster Energy’s Moss – the veteran nine-time Australian champion – earned a place inside the top eight at his home grand prix following the three premier class races, but confusion reigned when Friese was granted the final place on the grid.
The SuperFinal was introduced to WSX this year and combines the top eight riders from the 450 and 250 categories, making for a fourth point-scoring opportunity for both the riders and teams. Following lengthy discussions overnight and this morning, SX Global released an official statement on the matter:
As the sanctioning body of WSX, the FIM last night made a decision in relation to a race process error which occurred prior to Saturday’s 2024 WSX Australian GP (Round 2) SuperFinal.
Vince Friese (MotoConcepts Racing) was mistakenly included in the WSX Super Final line up instead of Matt Moss (CDR Yamaha Supported by Star Racing). Such error was not due to the fault of any rider, team or WSX.
In accordance with FIM protocol, the FIM has since confirmed that the relevant race results still stand as completed despite this error.
CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team owner Craig Dack was left frustrated by the error, which saw Moss denied upon arriving at the pre-race waiting zone in the minutes prior to the main event. It was realised that a mistake had been made, but the race had already started at that point, and it’s understood the process will be further reviewed.
“Mistakes get made and that’s obvious, however, Matt can’t get his points for the SuperFinal, which he qualified for – he didn’t ride because of their mistake,” Dack told MotoOnline. “The series also has a team’s championship, which we were second in coming into this round, and now we are fourth.
“That’s not to say it’s because of what happened with Matt, but the point is that both he as an individual and myself as a team owner don’t get any points. It’s extremely frustrating. I believe that it could have been dealt a little bit better in the way I was treated. The FIM and the race director have apologised and I’ve accepted that, but I am very disappointed.”
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