Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jay Marmont remains firmly focused on defending his ASX title. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Reigning dual Terex Australian Supercross Champion Jay Marmont once again plans to use the six-round 2013 series as a case of redemption following a lackluster MX Nationals campaign.

The Monster Energy Kawasaki rider struggled for the second season in a row outdoors despite winning four consecutive titles from 2008-2011, but remains confident that he will contend for victory in ASX when the season opens in Darwin this Saturday.

It was a similar situation for the 30-year-old 12 months ago when he raced to the 2012 Supercross title – his fourth career premier class Supercross championship (2003, 2004, 2011 and 2012).

“The biggest thing is a fresh start after coming off a horrible Motocross series,” Marmont told MotoOnline.com.au. “The results didn’t come to me at all and I couldn’t get momentum at any point of the series. I didn’t have one good race.

“Heading into Supercross it’s a chance to redeem myself, run the number one proud from last year and go out to get a result. For some reason I’ve always gone really well in Supercross and I’ve never ever finished off the podium in Australia.

“It’s always been a strong point that I can go out and get results, so I have to look at it as my strength.”

While Marmont is aware of the challenges that will arise from various riders during the series, he’s pin-pointed new MX1 outdoor champion Matt Moss as his main title rival. It’s a mutual rivalry that will evolve as the season marches on.

“This year there seems to be a lot of guys that are at a similar speed,” he continued. “We have Josh Hill and Weston Peick from America, Lawson Bopping, the Moss brothers, Daniel McCoy just to name a few that are all a similar pace.

“Being strong at every round, trying to carry momentum and confidence will be the key. But the guy that comes to my mind is Matt Moss. He’s carrying momentum from Motocross and you know he’s a little bulldog.

“Mossy’s won a lot of championships and he’s on top of his game at the moment. There are a lot of guys that will finish on the podium, but in saying that he’s the one who will come out swinging.”

Click here for a complete Catching Up interview with Marmont posted this afternoon.