Image: Fourohfour.

Experienced American Mike Brown rode to expectations in Sydney’s second round of the KTM Enduro-X Nationals on Saturday at Valvoline Raceway, finishing third overall in tough, rain-soaked conditions.

Current AMA EnduroCross number two Brown won the first final of the night before inconsistency ended his hopes of winning the round, racing to sixth and fourth place finished in the remaining pair of finals.

Riding for the brand-new Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team managed by Glenn Kearney aboard a FC 350, 41-year-old Brown was delighted with his first Enduro-X appearance in Australia and now targets victory in Melbourne’s third and final round next month.

“The track was nice, just a little slippery when the rain came in, then I tried a little too hard I think, and made a few more mistakes than it was worth!” Brown explained. “But it was a good fun night on a great track and it was good racing with the guys.

“The track was awesome, more like an X-games track you know, a little faster, not so many obstacles and a bit more spread apart. I enjoyed the competition, shoot yeah, everyone was super good, especially when the rain came down, the track slowed down and you had to show a bit more throttle control – which I wasn’t sometimes.

“It was good to get Husky up there, that was the main focus. The goal was to win and that we’ll shoot for that next time. I’m super-excited, I had a really good time and looking forward to the next one.”

Of the regular Husqvarna factory team, Scott Keegan, Kearney and Lachlan Stanford filled positions eight through 10 on the night in their first outing of the year.

The KTM Enduro-X series concludes at Calder Park Raceway on Sunday, 2 March.