Image: Jeremy Hammer (Foremost Media).

Two consecutive podiums in the Australian Supercross Championship have strengthened Jackson Richardson’s SX2 title defence, positioning him third in the standings, just four points behind leader Gavin Faith (Penrite Honda Racing).

The Serco Yamaha rider, who was sixth at the season-opener and second at round two, charged to another runner-up result at Saturday night’s third stop in Virginia, South Australia, which has put him right back into the hunt for another SX2 crown.

With the circuit evidently challenging due to its slick nature, Richardson said it was important to exit the night unscathed to crucial collect points for his title campaign.

“Second tonight was pretty good,” Richardson explained. “It was one of those nights where you just want to come through unscathed and in good shape and we were able to do that.

“Wilson [Todd] rode really well tonight and deserved the race win but for me it was important to keep collecting points and building championship momentum. The track was really hard-packed dirt by the end of the night and it was so easy to fall so it was about being smart tonight and just getting the result we needed to stay in the hunt.”

Just three rounds remain in the 2017 championship, with the Monster Energy AUS-X Open set to host the rounds four and five at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on 11-12 November.