Image: Andy McGechan (BikesportNZ.com).

Australia’s Jed Beaton made positive progress in the opening round of the New Zealand MX2 Championship at Timaru last weekend, on debut with the Triple B Valley Fresh Yamaha Racing Team.

Beaton, 18, was third overall after climbing the order during the trio of motos, claiming 9-3-1 results after qualifying fastest.

“I really struggled with my starts all day, but finally got a good one in that last race,” said Beaton. “I wasn’t really surprised that I qualified so well.

“I grew up in Tasmania and it rains a lot there, so when the track was muddy for practice and qualifying, I was okay with it.”

Beaton is one of multiple Australians competing in New Zealand at the moment, the DPH Motorsport rider preparing his second MX Nationals season in the MX2 ranks.