Source: Supplied.

RCH/Yoshimura/Suzuki Factory Racing’s Broc Tickle became the first rider from the factory Suzuki squad to claim a 450SX podium spot during the 2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in Toronto.

In addition, the round nine podium also marked a career-first for Tickle in the premier class as he earned his first 450SX podium in the same stadium where he stood on the 250SX podium for the first time in his career.

Track position played a key role for the 2011 West Coast 250SX champion in his recent Toronto success as he ran in second position for much of the 20-minute race before finishing up in third place behind Eli Tomac and Ryan Dungey.

“It all boils down to the start,” said Tickle. “I worked really hard over the off-season and the whole RCH Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing team has been working their butts off. It’s just about getting to the front in the first couple of laps, I did that and hung in there the whole race.

“There at the end I was struggling, riding tight, Dungey passed me, I got in behind him and got a flow going again. Toronto is a great place for me, I got my first podium in the lites class in Toronto and I got my first 450 podium too – I’m stoked.”

The 27-year-old currently sits 10th overall in the 450SX standings following nine rounds of racing on the 17-round schedule set for 2017.