Image: Supplied.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing Team’s Aaron Plessinger will make his 450MX debut in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship this weekend at Southwick alongside Justin Barcia and Australian import Dean Ferris.

Last year’s 250 Class champion Plessinger has been recovering from a broken right heel sustained at Daytona, however, is now fit to return to action in round six of the 2019 outdoor season.

“I’m super-excited to get back to racing,” Plessinger stated. “It’s been about four months now since I got hurt. I don’t think I’ve taken that much time off a dirt bike in a long, long time, so it’s been about the longest four months of my life. I’ve been back on a bike now for probably five weeks and I’m feeling really good.

“Yamaha came out before the Florida national and I was able to get some really good testing in – I’m really happy with my bike right now. Heading to Southwick, my expectations, I really want to get a good start and run with the top guys. I’ve been practicing my starts this week, I’m ready to do some work and looking forward to seeing everybody again.”

Following the first five rounds of the season, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing Team riders Barcia and Ferris sit seventh and ninth respectively in the 450 Class standings. Plessinger’s return sees Yamaha expand to a three-rider roster for the rest of this year.