Image: Supplied.

F&H Kawasaki’s Jed Beaton continues to build MXGP experience, soldiering on to finish 13th overall in Argentina despite shoulder pain limiting his performance.

Beaton entered round three carrying the injury sustained from Mantova, aggravated further after a first-lap collision in Saturday’s qualifying race.

The incident limited the Australian’s track time at Neuquen and left him with a far outside gate pick, but the number 14 pushed through to land a 13-11 scorecard and promote himself to ninth in the championship standings.

“It was a pretty difficult weekend for me, I still have a sore shoulder from Mantova and don’t have as much strength in it as I would like,” Beaton explained. “And it didn’t help crashing in Quali and landing on it again.

“I was so far wide at turn one from the gate pick but I managed to do the best I could with the cards I was dealt. I wasn’t riding at the level I should have been but I’m just glad to be going home safe.

“The next GP is at Agueda where I got my first GP podium, in fact, I like all the tracks coming up and look forward to getting my shoulder back in shape so I can perform to my ability.”

Beaton’s rookie MXGP campaign got off to a strong start at Matterley Basin, scoring an impressive P6 overall on debut. Misfortune during race two at Mantova meant he finished the MXGP of Lombardia 19th overall.

A weekend off before MXGP resumes at Agueda on 3 April will likely aid Beaton in his recovery, setting up a charge towards the front as the series approaches a list of venues he enjoys.