In this 2024 edition of our CycleOnline AUS Awards, we name the leading performers and storylines of the past season in a reflection of domestic and international competition. These are done purely for editorial purposes, pieced together from an Australian perspective via what we witnessed during the year both locally and abroad.

Image: Foremost Media.

National Rider of the Year – Josh Waters:
In becoming the first rider ever to capture a record four Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) premier class titles, Josh Waters firmly etched his name into the history books. A commanding campaign saw him comfortably take home the 2024 crown with McMartin Racing onboard the Ducati Panigale V4 R, and if the combination remains into the new year, you can’t count them out to challenge for number five.

International Rider of the Year – Jorge Martin:

This season was one for the ages in MotoGP and, in the end, it was Spanish ace Jorge Martin who finally delivered on his promise as a MotoGP World Champion. In their fourth season together, Martin and the independent Pramac Racing team managed to upset the factories for the title on his works GP24, highlighted by seven Sprint wins and three GP victories, on top of largely proving to be a relative picture of consistency all season long. He’s the first non-factory team rider to win the title since Valentino Rossi in 2001.

Rookie of the Year – Cameron Dunker:

We handed this award to Cameron Dunker last year after winning the ASBK Supersport championship at his first attempt, but after a standout rookie season in the Superbike ranks, we’re giving him back-to-back honours. The now 17-year-old finished seventh in the final standings, but a breakout podium at One Raceway was exceptional, and he – yet again – displayed flashes of brilliance throughout the season onboard a Penrite Racing SBK Yamaha YZF-R1M.

Personality of the Year – Archie McDonald:

Anytime Archie McDonald landed on the ASBK Supersport podium this year, he lit up parc ferme with excitement like no other. From standing on the tank of his Stop and Seal-backed R6 to bringing European-like celebrations to the domestic series, you can’t fault the passion that continues to fuel his success.

Image: Supplied.

Series of the Year – MotoGP World Championship:

With an independent champion crowned by virtue of Pramac Racing Ducati’s Martin defeating defending two-time world champion Pecco Bagnaia, the 2024 MotoGP World Championship will long be remembered for its storylines that just kept on giving. On-track errors, off-track antics, and sheer brilliance on the bike including Marc Marquez back on competitive equipment with Gresini Racing Ducati, the spectacular Pedro Acosta in his first year, and a bunch more, this season was epic from almost all angles.

Most Anticipated Model – 2025 Yamaha YZF-R9:

We knew this bike was coming for some time and it was formally uncovered in October, the 2025 Yamaha YZF-R9. Based on Yamaha’s renowned CP3 powerplant, the new R9 boasts a dedicated Supersport chassis and comprehensive electronics suite, wrapped in striking next-generation R-series styling. What’s that mean? The all-conquering YZF-R6 has been parked in World Supersport for next season and this fascinating new R9 project will take centerstage.

Top Team – FIM Oceania:

While they didn’t actually win the inaugural FIM Intercontinental Games at Jerez in Spain at the beginning of this month, the FIM Oceania team did feature as one of the most unique and interesting developments that the sport has seen in some time. Made up of Mike Jones, Max Stauffer, Tom Toparis, Tayla Relph, Archie McDonald, Cameron Swain, Tara Morrison and Kiwi Jesse Stroud, the squad finished third on the podium despite Stauffer being injured in practice. It’s evident that the concept offers plenty to build upon into the future!

Best Event – Sydney ASBK:

The second instalment of ASBK under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park marked another step in the right direction for both the event and series itself. Contested over two days and well into the evening, the Sydney round offers advanced commercial opportunities, spectacular Saturday night action, and has become a real marquee-type event on the calendar.

Hottest Topic – Marc Marquez to Ducati Lenovo Team:

There was little doubt that Marquez would be competitive upon landing himself a Ducati GP23 at Gresini Racing for 2024, but few could have predicted the eventual outcome that Martin would go onto win the title with Pramac before departing for Aprilia and his title-winning team making a transfer to Yamaha. It appeared that Martin had done enough to secure a seat at the Ducati Lenovo Team in 2025, before a power-move from Marquez in early June ultimately saw him elevated to factory status alongside Bagnaia entering the new year. Wow!

Image: Supplied.

Greatest Disappointment – Honda off the ASBK grid:

Paint it whatever way you will, but the fact was that after clinching the 2023 ASBK title with Troy Herfoss, Honda effectively left the series for this year following Herfoss’ decision to chase some late-career goals overseas. That led to ER Motorsports instead taking its Penrite support and teaming up with the former GTR MotoStars team on Yamaha machinery in a curious arrangement that only lasted a single season, while Honda sort of had a presence in Supersport at select rounds. The series was worse off without Honda’s towering presence.

Most Surprising Moment – Jonathan Nahlous rises in ASBK Supersport:

In a season that began with a clean-sweep of all three races at Phillip Island in February, JJ Nahlous went on to clinch his first ASBK championship in the Supersport category, fending off a feisty pack of competitors to seal the title ahead of the fast-finishing McDonald. Nahlous pieced together a fine campaign overall and delivered when it counted, so as a result, he will step up to the Superbike class alongside Dunker in the MotoGo Yamaha team for 2025. It won’t be easy, but this year was a class result and well-deserved.

Social Standout – Tayla Relph:

Talk about making an impact for all the right reasons, Tayla Relph was one of the headline names in the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR) series, which was introduced for 2024 and contested alongside a selection of World Superbike rounds. No stranger to the ASBK paddock, despite not racing a lot in recent years, Relph was remarkably strong on the world stage and did a fine job of documenting her every moment – the ups and the downs – through social media and YouTube this season. The good news is, after finishing P7 in points and highlighted by a podium at Cremona, she’ll be back for more in the new year!

Special mention – Troy Herfoss crowned KOTB:

The decision of Troy Herfoss to take his talents to the United States was already referenced above, but in true Herfoss fashion and despite being in his late 30s, the reigning triple ASBK champion starred on his way to King of the Baggers glory with Indian Motorcycles’ factory organisation. He was also right up there in the Super Hooligan category, but it was the head-turning S&S Indian Challenger that he really made an impact aboard, going on to win the title on debut.