Image: Supplied.

Making his return to racing at the MXGP of Great Britain, Mitch Evans was able to finish both races without any major dramas, the Team HRC rider explaining such was ‘a big step’ in his comeback.

The season-opening round of 2022 marked the first world championship race Evans has completed since the 2020 MXGP of Latvia, held roughly a year and a half ago on 9 August 2020.

While Evans’ 17-22 scorecard at Matterely Basin may seem underwhelming to some, the completion of the event and comments thereafter are a positive sign that his troublesome left wrist – requiring three surgeries from previous injuries sustained – that forced him to the sidelines for a lengthy period may no longer be a major issue.

“It’s been a long time since I competed at this level and although my results aren’t the best, it felt good to be out there racing and I’m happy to have finished both races without any major incidents,” Evans stated. “This was a big step for me, so now I can concentrate on getting better and better, and that starts next week in Mantova.”

Evans will have the opportunity to keep building this weekend as the second round of the 2022 MXGP World Championship takes place at Mantova, Italy.