Image: Foremost Media.

Two-time Australian supercross SX2 champion Jackson Richardson has declared he’ll provisionally step away from professional racing after failing to sign a deal for the 2019 season.

The popular Queenslander, one of the largest personalities of the sport, was initially attempting to strike a deal in the premier class last November, however his endeavours were fruitless, prompting a return to full-time work in the construction industry.

Richardson’s decision to pause his racing career comes after sitting out majority of the 2018 Pirelli MX Nationals with a shoulder injury, which later impacted his title defence in the Australian Supercross Championship.

“I’ve got nothing lined up and won’t be doing the nationals at this point,” Richardson revealed to MotoOnline.com.au. “I’m honestly not sure how to feel about it – it’s the way it is sometimes.

“The thing for me right now is that I’m going to put racing to the side for now, so I won’t be racing the nationals and I’m unsure about supercross – I’m just working as a carpenter right now.

“Really, there are no rides left or available. I figured that out a little while ago, and I think the best thing for me right now is to not go racing for the moment and try and do something else.”

The Cairns local, who’s continuing to ride recreationally, isn’t ruling out a return for supercross should an opportunity arise, although his immediate future in racing will be determined as the year progresses.

“I’ve got a bike at the moment, but I haven’t been doing much riding as of late – I’ve just been working,” he added. “I’m trying to get a ride in where I can for a bit of fun, but as far as racing competitively, I’m not sure when I’ll get back into that.

“I’ll have to wait and see how I’m going throughout the year. I’ll get to a certain point where I’ll decide if I’ll put something together or not for supercross. Until then, I’ll just wait and see how everything turns out.”

Richardson wound up second at the Monster Energy AUS-X Open season finale in the quarter-litre category last year before making a guest appearance at the S-X Open Auckland in the SX1 division, exiting the New Zealand event seventh overall amongst an international field.