The 144th Millicent Show was home to some of the most talented riders in the world as they showed off their skills last weekend when the famous Stadium Cross event roared back to life.

After two years away, the two nights of motocross action at the Millicent Show run by the Mount Gambier Junior Motorcycle Club made a long-awaited return and the racing did not disappoint.

Despite a backdrop of show rides and fireworks, hundreds of spectators found it hard to ignore the high-flying and roaring spectacle of the stadium cross.

Well over 100 riders hit the dirt in the two-night spectacular with the main event the prestigious Dale Teagle Memorial race.

The feature race is always unmissable and the travelling experts went hard from the green to the chequered flag, producing an incredibly high standard of racing.

After 15 laps of wheel-to-wheel racing, highly respected international level rider Brett Metcalfe took home the special Dale Teagle Memorial trophy ahead of Daniel Banks and Elijah Wiese.

MGJMC president Richard Humphries said the riders put on a brilliant display of racing with Metcalfe deserving victor.

“It was a beautiful spectacle and it was great to have 18 experts come and support our event,” he said.

“They are a class above because what they can produce on a motorbike track is phenomenal.

“Brett’s experience from being overseas meant he could turn it on at anytime and was a league above anyone else.

“But the boys enjoyed riding with him because he is a good competitor and sportsman.”

Metcalfe also led the Expert class ahead of Mitch Norris, plus secured victory in Veterans.

It was another fierce battle for MX1 honours with Jake Henderson emerging on top over Jack Knightly and Corey Gibbs.

Jack Colbert led the MX2 race, while Women’s All Powers was also on for young and old.

Brooke Marcus took home the trophy followed by Jade Tiller and Ashley Earl.

Thomas Lambert was tough to beat in the juniors winning both the 250cc and 125cc events, while relation Emily completed the sweep winning Junior Girls.

Emily Lambert also secured 85cc Big Wheel, Kye Little won 85cc Standard Wheel, while Ryder Trickey was the fastest 10-12-year-old on a 65cc.

The fastest kids aged between seven and 1o were Billy Bowering, Blake Bahnisch and Austin Schulz, while Nash Metcalfe stood on the top step of the podium in the youngest division racing for trophies.

Humphries said plenty of youngsters impressed as they thrived in the presence of their heroes.

“A lot of juniors stood out,” he said.

“Thomas and Emily Lambert from near Millicent were very convincing all weekend, while I thought Ryder Trickey rode well.

“The big name riders were all very approachable and gave out autographs which the kids loved.

“It was great for all the kids riding motorbikes to watch how they ride and see what is possible for the future if they follow their dreams.”

Humphries said it was a relief to see the event come to life after a long wait and a build up which included long nights with very little sleep.

“A lot of work went into getting it done across a huge three days and all the organisation helped it run smoothly,” he said.

The only downside to the weekend of racing was the risk of injury associated with motorsport and two riders had some serious incidents.

Sadly, both were left with some broken bones and Humphries said the club wishes the riders all the best in their recovery.

Humphries said he worked closely with the Millicent Show throughout the weekend and both parties were pleased with the result.

“I spoke to Neville (Copping) from the Millicent Show a couple of times over the weekend and they were pretty close to capacity of 3000 people and we were also approaching our capacity of 1000 people in the pit area,” he said.

“All in all between us and the Millicent Show it was a well run event and we hope to make it bigger and better in years to come.”

During the long period of offtrack action at Millicent, the MGJMC revamped the surface and Humphries said the new track exceeded all expectations.

“We did a major redevelopment of the track earlier this year investing over $10,000 redesigning the track and making the pits user friendly for all generations,” he said.

“REM Earthmovers did the track and helped us through the weekend and they did a fantastic job and we cannot thank them enough.

“There could be a couple things we could change, but only minor things and overall all was positive about the new track.”

The Millicent Show Stadium Cross is the MGJMC’s season finale for 2021 and Humphries said it was a perfect way to finish the year.