Image: Jeff Crow.

KTM Motocross Racing Team’s Ford Dale made his anticipated return to Monster Energy MX Nationals competition on Sunday, battling through to 15th overall as he fought for race fitness.

Dale was reasonably strong in qualifying to post the ninth quickest lap, before 12th in moto one and 16th in the second indicated his challenge for full fitness after sitting out the first half of 2014.

It was a stable platform for the 2012 MX2 champion to build from, in what was his Australian debut alongside Kirk Gibbs at the factory KTM squad.

“It was good to be back at the track with the boys,” Dale said. “I haven’t been racing with the team since New Zealand, so that was great. I’m not happy with my day obviously, but I guess I’ve got to take baby steps at first.

“I haven’t been back on the bike long and have missed half the season. Nothing can replicate race fitness unfortunately, when you’re having to hang onto a 450 on a real fast track. But I know what I’m capable of and I won’t be happy until I’m winning. You’ve got to start somewhere, but it’ll come.”

Dale was returning to national racing for the first time since Broadford in 2013. His latest sidelining injury came in a pre-season practice crash, sustaining a broken arm in the incident.