Image: Foremost Media.

Last year’s Pirelli MX Nationals MX2 champion Egan Mastin has split with the KTM Motocross Racing Team, opting to take time out for the remainder of 2018 following a troubled outdoor title defence.

Mastin, 20, was originally slated to contest the nationals and Australian Supercross Championship aboard the factory-backed 250 SX-F, however KTM Australia has announced the pair have officially parted ways.

As a result of his injuries sustained at Ranch MX and following a frustrating title defence on a personal level, Mastin has notified KTM Motocross Racing Team Management that he will sit out the remainder of the year. He has confirmed that he intends to return to racing in 2019 however.

“This year was the first time I haven’t had the results that I have wanted,” Mastin declared. “I’d worked really hard in my career to get to this point and it’s always been a dream to be at this level and be on the team that I have been on.

“I put in a lot of hard work in the pre-season, but it was a very stressful year for me not getting what I wanted to get out of it. As I started feeling good toward the end of the season, especially when I got on the 2019 KTM 250 SX-F, I had a big crash – it was definitely the hardest hit I’ve ever had.

“With my head injury, I went and saw the doctor, who said to take some time off. I thought it was time to give my body a rest and to relax for a little while, take a few months off and hopefully feel fresh coming into next year.

“I’m definitely aiming to keep racing in 2019, that’s the plan, but right now I feel like I need time off. This year has opened my eyes how well-run the KTM Motocross Racing Team has been and how much commitment KTM Australia puts into the whole program. It was an awesome experience being part of it for the first time, very exciting, and I really enjoyed my time with the team, so thanks to everybody involved.”

KTM Australia has wished Mastin well in is future racing endeavors and will be announcing its roster for the 2018 supercross championship prior to the opening round of the season on 15 September at Jimboomba, Queensland.

“Egan came to us following his most recent injuries and basically said that he was a little bit stale in his racing,” commented team manager Jay Marmont. “He indicated that he wanted to take a step away and that he didn’t feel like he was in the right frame of mind heading into supercross, which was a challenge for him last year.

“It was a very mutual decision between both of us at that point, as we definitely don’t want to have somebody out there on the track if they don’t want to be. We wish Egan all the best and hopefully he can get back to racing when he is ready.”

Mastin was signed to KTM Motocross Racing Team after clinching last year’s motocross crown with Davey Motorsports riding a 250 SX two-stroke. He was initially set to step up to MX1 for this year following a glowing performance at Manjimup in a guest ride, but the decision was later made for him to defend his MX2 title aboard the four-stroke after a difficult supercross debut.