Tye Simmonds took a strong second overall at Coonabarabran on Sunday. Image: Simon Cudby/Makkreative.com.

A breakthrough podium at Coonabarabran’s second round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals is just what Tye Simmonds needed to get the ball rolling on his 2012 season.

Simmonds formed his very own Red Bull-backed Simmonds Racing team late in the pre-season after splitting with JDR Motorsports and KTM, opting to campaign a privateer Honda CRF450R instead.

Second place overall at Goanna Tracks comes as a huge boost for the 19-year-old, elevating him to fifth in the series and well in contention for the title.

With his results of 5-4-2 finishes for the round, Simmonds has the belief that he can now challenge up front on any given weekend.

“I rode consistently and proved that I have the speed to run up the front,” Simmonds said. “I know my team is right behind me and I know that ideally I should be riding up the front more often.

“With some more time with the bike this is the goal.”

Simmonds spent last season racing in the U.S. for JDR/J-Star/KTM, but returned to Australia in 2012 after the team switched to a Lites-only program.