Billy Mackenzie says he is appreciative of the opportunity to fill in aboard the factory YZ450FM MX1 machine in the FIM World Motocross Championship.

CDR Yamaha’s Billy Mackenzie is content with his one-off return to the FIM Motocross World Championship with Monster Energy Yamaha.

Filling in for the injured Steven Frossard, the Monster Energy MX Nationals regular jumped at the opportunity to ride the factory YZ450FM MX1 machine.

Mackenzie makes it clear that this was not a comeback ride, but a chance to reach a personal goal and maintain his race craft during the current MX Nationals six-week break.

“Basically all I want to say is that I did not treat this race as a comeback or an appearance with something to prove,” Mackenzie said.

“I was just really happy to be offered the chance to ride the factory Yamaha, which is something I looked up to my whole career watching Stefan [Everts] win titles.”

The Scottish rider enjoyed the Italian fans and appreciates the Rinaldi run factory MX1 Yamaha team for their wealth of support throughout the event.

“It was cool to ride Maggiora and the fans were crazy,” he explained. “The team was really great and did everything I asked of them.

“I changed way too many parts and got a bit confused trying to find a set-up that I wanted but that was entirely my fault.

“It is amazing to see how quickly and efficiently the Rinaldi crew work from the inside and it is obvious to see why the [Craig] Dack and Rinaldi teams work so closely in a tight knit unit.”

Mackenzie looks forward to returning to Australia where he currently sits third overall in the MX Nationals MX1 standings.

“I’m really happy to have experienced today and I’ll carry on racing in Australia as long as I’m competitive,” he added. “I’m really enjoying it over there.

“I feel that my speed at that level is faster than what I showed today and I’m a bit embarrassed with the first moto.

“I tried my hardest in the second and did my best to put it up there but I crashed twice on the first lap and there was no coming back from that.”