Image: Simon Makker.

Lawson Bopping admits he’s not totally convinced he’s ready for a full-time return to racing at this stage after making a comeback campaign in this year’s Australian Supercross Championship.

Bopping was forced to step away from racing in 2016 after battling a mystery illness, which is still yet to be officially diagnosed, however a long course of medication this year promoted a boost in health for the New South Welshman, allowing him to comfortably recommence riding.

The number 70 returned to action at Coolum’s second round aboard a privateer Kawasaki KX450, scoring his season-best result at Geelong with sixth before being granted an opportunity with CDR Yamaha Monster Energy at the AUS-X Open Sydney and S-X Open Auckland.

Despite still being passionate about racing and enjoying his time back in the premier class, Bopping believes he needs to be 100 percent healthy before he can approach teams for a full-time seat in the Pirelli MX Nationals, although he’s adamant he’ll be back behind the gates for supercross in 2019.

“To be honest, I’d love to be back racing full-time next year,” Bopping explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “Right now though, I’m not totally convinced that I’m 100 percent healthy – I haven’t spoken to any teams – but I don’t want to approach a team and say I’m healthy when I’m not really.

“I don’t want to go to round one of the nationals and pull in after three laps because I’m still sick. I’m playing it day by day and it’s a tricky situation to be in. Supercross is a definite next year. I still love it and I still want to do it, I just want to be better at it and be healthy – I’m not where I need to be to have a full-time gig right now.

“It’s not good timing because it’s crunch time and everyone’s talking to teams and working out deals for next year. A fill-in ride might be on the cards, but who knows. I’m going to rest a bit now, but I’ll keep riding and get my body completely healthy – I’ll make a call from there.”

After missing the first round, Bopping wound up eighth in the Australian Supercross Championship and seventh in the Monster Energy S-X Open Supercross FIM Oceania Championship.