Image: Supplied.

After setting the bar with a P3 result on debut in the MX2 World Championship, Mitch Evans has expressed his desire to make a return to the podium as soon as this weekend at the MXGP of Portugal.

The Queenslander finished shy of the box at last weekend’s fifth round in Italy, winding up fourth overall, and currently sits eighth in the series rankings.

Equipped with a Team Honda 114 Motorsports CRF250R, Evans has yet to match is podium performance at Argentina’s season-opener despite recording a number of impressive results in the rounds following.

“The goal was to be top five overall, every weekend,” Evans said in a MXLarge interview. “Since getting on the podium in Argentina, you obviously want to get back on that podium. So that is the goal now and I think I can achieve that, and I am really hungry to get back on it.

“Last year the track was very technical and rutty due to the rain, while years before it looked more hard pack. I am interested to see what it will be like, they have had some rain this week, so it should be rough and technical. The layout of the track looks really cool.”

Evans is currently joined in the world championship by fellow Australian Jed Beaton (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing), who’s ranked 12th in the standings after missing the first round.