JDR/J-Star/KTM's Tye Simmonds raced to 18th overall at Unadilla last weekend. Image: Hoppenworld.com.

Australian rookie Tye Simmonds has continued his steep learning curve in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, finishing 18th overall at Unadilla on Saturday.

The lone JDR/J-Star/KTM 450 Class rider finished 19th in moto one after a mid-race crash while chasing down fellow Aussie Josh Strang, and then raced to 16th in moto two after slipping back a position in the final laps.

“I moved in behind Josh and, unfortunately, tucked the front-end in a corner and had a crash,” Simmonds reflected. “I got the bike back up and tried to ride back to where I had been.

“I struggled after the crash as I lost track of my breathing and began to ride tight which led to arm pump.”

Simmonds lost 15th in the final stages of moto two while being lapped by the leaders, with Ben LaMay catching and then soon passing him after Simmonds backed off to let Ryan Villopoto put him a lap down.

“I was bummed to lose the position at the end of the moto, but at the same time, glad that I rode strong through the whole moto,” Simmonds added. “I plan to go home and continue to work on my overall intensity for the next rounds.”

Simmonds sits 16th in the championship with three rounds remaining of his rookie season.