Source: Supplied.

CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team’s Dean Ferris has labelled two-time defending champion Justin Brayton (Penrite Honda Racing) and former champion Dan Reardon (Yamaha) as the main threats in his bid for an elusive Australian Supercross crown.

Ferris, who’s coming off a dominant Pirelli MX Nationals campaign that saw him wrap up this third-consecutive title, enters the this weekend’s Australian Supercross Championship opener as a title favourite, particularly with a narrowed focus on the discipline this year.

The New South Welshman made his intentions clear at the beginning of the year when he declared his unavailability for the Motocross of Nations (MXoN) in favour of increasing his focus and preparation on supercross, which could pose as a dangerous surprise for his SX1 rivals.

“This year the goal is to close the gap to the USA guys who’ve given us an arse-whooping every year,” Ferris stated. “Justin Brayton and Dan Reardon are the main threats for the championship, having been on the podium the last two years running, but a few guys will step up. I don’t focus too much on other guys, but we’ll monitor the threats as they emerge.”

The number triple-one finished his 2016 campaign in second, while last year was a hard-fought battle to third in the standings. Last month Ferris confirmed to MotoOnline.com.au that he would be departing Australia at the conclusion of the year to pursue the remainder of his career in the USA. The opening of AUS Supercross will commence this Saturday at Jimboomba in Queensland.