Image: Foremost Media.

Three-time Australian supercross champion Dan Reardon believes this Saturday night’s Monster Energy AUS-X Open Sydney will be the perfect opportunity gain points in the series rankings as the Australian Supercross Championship is invaded by a host of world-class international talents.

Reardon has experienced a mixed season so far, scoring just one podium so far at Geelong’s third stop, while rounds two and four were hindered by mechanical difficulties endured through the aggressive nature of the recently-introduced Triple Crown format.

“It’s weird, I always look at the AUS-X Open as a separate event even though it’s part of our series because there is a lot that goes into it that is unorthodox or different from what the championship generally contains,” Reardon explained to MotoOnline.com.au.

“I just look forward to the event regardless – this season hasn’t been great for me. In such a short series, it’s really hard to make up [points], but if there’s a weekend to do it, it is the AUS-X Open.”

The popular Queenslander has squashed any thought that his campaign in the Arenacross UK championship at the beginning of the year will benefit him come Saturday night, as Qudos Bank Arena is set to serve up a familiar environment of tight, fast-paced and audacious racing.

“When people say a certain type of track suits this guys because of that – at the end of the day, we’re all just riding dirt bikes,” he continued. “Whether it’s in a big stadium or a small stadium, I really don’t think it has any effect on the end result – we’re still jumping the same jumps and doing the same thing, it’s just the lap-times become shorter and race becomes tighter. If anything, you’re little bit more aggressive, but in terms of how you ride a dirt bike, that doesn’t change.”

Currently positioned fourth in the championship standings, two points shy of third’s Jace Owen (Complete Parts Kawasaki Racing), the Yamaha pilot is confident of landing top three series ranking.

A result on the podium would come as as special and rewarding achievement for Reardon, a supercross-only rider, who has undertaken a self-managed campaign this season, introducing a host of new sponsors that are fresh to the motorcycle industry.

“A championship podium was always the goal coming into this season,” Reardon added. “I’m two points shy of the podium at the moment and I’m more than capable of pulling that back. To finish on the box this weekend would be great, especially for everyone involved.

“The deal came together pretty late and it has been pretty stressful at times, especially at the start when I had to get everything sorted. I’ve learned a lot this year in terms of doing it this way – I have enjoyed it, but I know next year when I do it, I’ll be far better prepared.”

The number 122 has previously finished on the podium at the AUS-X Open on two occasions, claiming third on the opening in 2015, plus third again on night one last year.