Image: Jeremy Hammer (Foremost Media).

Honda Genuine Racing’s Jimmy Decotis is certain he can bounce back from a drama-packed opening round of the 2016 Australian Supercross Championship at Jimboomba.

The American, who dominated the title-chase on debut one year ago, was fifth in his heat and finished all the way down in seventh following the SX2 main event on Saturday night.

It wasn’t what Decotis needed as he faces additional competition from countryman and reigning US Arenacross champion Gavin Faith this season. Fellow Honda gun Faith is himself a former two-time Australian champion who’s now back in SX2.

“I made the most of a frustrating final,” Decotis reflected. I got an average start and got caught up with some crashes and personal mistakes. I had to change my lines whilst passing riders and there wasn’t a lot of traction.

“I learned a lot from this race and will take the positives from the weekend and get prepared for round two. I know the speed is there, as I was second in qualifying, so it is onward and upward from here.”

Following the opener Decotis sits seventh in the standings, 11 points in arrears of Faith, who comfortably won the Jimboomba final to start the season.