Image: Foremost Media.

New Honda Racing signing Dean Ferris endured a challenging opening round of Penrite ProMX at Wonthaggi in what was his return to national competition, determined to bounce back after finishing a lowly 13th overall.

Ferris had a less than perfect pre-season after breaking his broken collarbone during practice for the Coffs Harbour Stadium MX event earlier this year, requiring surgery.

In coming out of retirement at 31, Ferris qualified 10th at round one and made his way up to fifth by the completion of the first lap in the opening moto, before an incident on lap two meant he dropped to 27th, ultimately recovering to finish P17.

Moto two saw the three-time Australian MX1 champion ride a measured race to work his way to ninth in the early stages, where he would finish the race.

“It was definitely a struggle, to say the least,” Ferris commented. “Nothing really went to plan. All in all we came out of the round with a few points, which was a positive.

“It’s going to be tough, my preparation wasn’t great and we are going to move forward. I kind of hoped I would have a better day, the first moto was really, really difficult, second moto also but I finished inside the top ten.

“Onwards and upwards from here, it can only get better. I know the team and myself are going to try everything to just improve every round.”

Ferris sits 34 points behind red plate-holder Luke Clout as the series moves to Mackay on 10 April, the first opportunity at redemption for the proven Queenslander.