Nine time Australian champion, Matt Moss turned the Aus X Open into a reminder of just how sharp his opening laps still are and how he can still battle the best in the world.

In both SX1 finals he rocketed out of the gate and snatched the holeshot, instantly throwing himself into the spotlight while the Lawrence brothers loomed behind him.

“To tie 3rd with Hunter Lawrence who’s one of my idols, like Jett and Hunter are the bee’s knees, I was just happy to be out there racing with those guys and to be pretty much sitting in an excavator for 9 months of the year and then come back and I think it’s 11 days of riding and then to do that, I’m happy. I try to really do as best I can for the team and obviously I didn’t do the first couple of rounds because of injury, but it feels good to just get that one out of the way and get a good result for the team.”

In the first final, Moss enjoyed prime track position early and held his ground with trademark aggression. Once Jett and Dean Wilson worked past, he locked into a strong pace of his own and secured a well-earned third place. It was smart, composed riding that proved he can still mix it with the front group when he nails the start.

Final Two played out in a similar rhythm. Moss launched out front again and, for several laps, matched the Lawrence speed better than anyone else had all night.

Eventually the intensity up front took its toll and he slipped to fourth, but the fight he showed—running with Jett and Hunter for longer than many expected—underlined just how competitive he remains.

Across both races, Moss’s fortunes were built on explosive launches, gritty early laps and stubborn resistance when the heavy hitters arrived.