Eleven-year-old Hudson Francis grabbed his own slice of the limelight at this year’s MXoN, finishing on the podium in the Blu Cru 65cc Support class. It was only the second time the Jimboomba racer had competed in the US, having previously achieved top 10 results in both the Supercross and Motocross categories at last year’s Mini O’s event at Gatorback Cycle Park in the U.S.
The family has been involved in motocross for about seven years now, and according to Dad, Ben Francis, it’s become a huge part of the family’s lifestyle. “We absolutely love the atmosphere both on and off the track — the energy, the community, and the friendships we’ve made from all around the country, he said. “It’s something that brings our family together every weekend, and we really enjoy traveling to different states and meeting other families who share the same passion.”
The scene at Ironman, with all the weight of an MXoN was a whole new level though, one that young Hudson found completely unlike anything he’d ever experienced in Australia, with the wild crowd, the electric energy, and the entire event run with such precision and passion. “It was surreal to see the MXoN riders in action,” said Hudson. “It’s something I’ll never forget. The whole week was jam-packed and full-on, but it’s an experience I’ll always be grateful for and I can’t thank Yamaha enough for making it happen.”
Hudson got off to a great start after a lot of hard work in the lead-up. He sat behind 3rd and 4th for a while before finding his rhythm, changing lines, and then making his move into podium contention. “The track was super challenging,” said Dad Ben, “but he dug deep and pushed through to finish on the podium. He absolutely loved the whole experience and couldn’t believe how professional and supportive the event team was. They made the kids feel like superstars — just like Jett and Hunter Lawrence! Who he looks up to.”
The trip has really fuelled Hudson’s passion towards motocross, according to his Dad. “This trip has absolutely ignited Hudson’s drive. It’s such a confidence booster for him to know that he can hold his own amongst some of the fastest riders in the world. He’s coming home more determined than ever to chase his dream of one day riding professionally with a factory team, and he’s ready to put in the extra work needed on and off the bike — training harder, eating better, and staying focused. He looks up to riders like Jett and Hunter Lawrence and is motivated to keep pushing to reach that next level.”
