Image: Jeff Crow.

KTM Motocross Racing Team’s Luke Styke is targeting an improved qualifying performance after missing Super Pole once again at Raymond Terrace’s sixth round of the 2015 MX Nationals on Sunday.

Styke, 22, has raced above expectations in his rookie MX1 campaign this year, second in the standings behind teammate Kirk Gibbs as we approach the final stages of the season, including an overall victory at Broadford.

However the 2012 MX2 title winner is yet to qualify inside the top five for all-important Super Pole points to date, enabling Gibbs to extend his title lead to 60 points – 23 of them via his qualifying results inside the points-paying Super Pole system.

“I’m always working on it, but that’s obviously my weakness,” Styke told MotoOnline.com.au. “The points in the Super Pole thing have hurt me a little bit, but you know, it is only my first year so I’m just figuring it all out.”

Coming off a nightmare season in the MX2 World Championship last year on what was understood to be a sub-standard team, Styke feels as though his position alongside Gibbs at KTM has played a major role in his quick progression in the premier class. He’s anticipating a continuation of his form over the final four rounds.

“I think my team makes me ahead of par,” he added. “I think with their knowledge, set-up and stuff like that, it’s just taken me to around about now to get comfortable with my suspension so I can ride it. It was beating me up a little bit there at the start, but I feel like we’ve got it all sorted now. Keep getting the top three results and on the podium is my plan.”

Alongside his Broadford round win, Styke has displayed considerable consistency on board the 450 SX-F with podium finishes at Horsham, Appin, Broadford and Raymond Terrace to date.