Jay Marmont has accepted that he will be unable to defend his Monster Energy MX Nationals title in 2012. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

After achieving such success in recent years, the thought of losing the number one plate is a daunting one for Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jay Marmont.

Heading into the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals series on his new Kawasaki ride, the four-time Australian motocross champion was riding injured and far below 100 percent healthy.

Riding through the pain, Marmont stuck it out until the mid-season break gave him time for much needed surgery.

After missing the first round back at Hervey Bay in Queensland last weekend, Marmont is ready to return at Horsham to mix it up once again.

“It was hard having to sit out the last round,” said Marmont. “I felt I let go of the championship and the thought of losing the number one plate is a hard one to swallow.

“I’m looking forward to racing at Horsham though. I feel really good and I just want to get out there and race back up the front and bag as many wins as I can and finish the series on a high note”.

Sitting in eighth place overall in the MX1 class, Marmont now accepts that he will be unable to successfully defend his title for 2012.

Look out for the number one machine this weekend in Victoria, the pressure is now off, for Marmont it is all about going for wins and enjoying the racing.