Image: Jeff Crow.

A confident Josh Cachia will challenge for race wins in the second half of the Monster Energy MX Nationals following a thrilling third place overall at Wanneroo on Sunday.

Cachia has endured a long and arduous recovery from a series of operations to repair damage to his left wrist, but managed to bounce back for a podium in the notoriously-tough sands of Western Australia.

In just his third round back, Cachia finished the three MX2 motos eighth, fourth and second to claim the third step of the dais. That form has him raring to go when the season continues in five weeks at Swan Hill.

“Overall third is awesome, this is only my third national back in over a year and the team has been amazing,” Cachia said. “We might not be racing for a championship, but in the second half of the season I want to be challenging for every race win.

“Qualifying was better this weekend and my speed was good in the first moto, but I was still finding my feet. The team and I sat down and looked at my times after race one and made a plan for the second race. I definitely felt stronger and to finish fourth was still a good improvement but I left my charge a bit too late.

“We spoke again before the final moto and I knew I was in with a chance for a podium finish. I got a good start and applied pressure on Jay Wilson. Once I got to second I started making up ground on Arbon but ran out of laps to challenge for the win.”

Cachia will continue his comeback from injury this weekend at the annual non-championship Manjimup 15,000 in WA.