Image: Jeff Crow.

Team Motul Suzuki MX1 rookie Rhys Carter has undertaken an intensified training program in the lead-up to this weekend’s Murray Bridge round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals, eyeing a strong middle sector of the 2014 season.

Carter has been a revelation in the premier class alongside defending champion Matt Moss to date, consistently knocking on the door of top five finishes in what is his rookie season aboard the RM-Z450. He’s currently seventh in the title chase.

“All the additional bike time between rounds definitely helps and I’ve been on a harder training program during the past three weeks,” Carter explained. “I want to get stronger in the last half of the final moto, so that’s important entering the next two rounds.

“I’ve been working on my intensity on the first lap, which is what I have been lacking, so the plan is to put it all together as we learn more from week to week and build experience.

“The sandier soil coming up in the series should also be a benefit for me; more similar to what we have in New Zealand. That’s what I grew up with, so the softer the track surface is the better I feel at nationals.”

Carter was fifth on debut for the team at Broadford and eighth at Appin, before Wonthaggi’s most recent round saw him rally to another confidence-inspiring sixth overall.