Image: Blitzed Images.

Returning MX1 threat Regan Duffy still has international aspirations as he prepares to make a full-time comeback with GasGas Racing Team this season.

At 20 years of age, Duffy will return to the ProMX championship in 2023 for the first time since suffering life threatening injuries over 12 months ago.

Duffy was in line to depart Australia for a seat in the MX2 World Championship last season prior to his near career-ending injuries, however, this opportunity with GasGas has reignited his drive to chase a childhood dream of one day becoming a world champion.

“The goal is definitely to still [race] internationally,” the Western Australian told MotoOnline. “I’ve still got the dream in my head of being a world champion and that never went away, whether I was laying in the hospital bed or not. I’d like to use this first year back in Australia to try and establish myself and get my feet wet again, and to be honest, just see how I go, you know, do I still have it or do I not?

“Training has been really good, but as we know, racing is a whole different story. I’m just looking forward to getting racing underway and then seeing what pathway ill go from there… if I’m not killing it, then who knows what ill do, but the main goal is to end up overseas again and pursue my original dream.”

Duffy rocketed onto the MX1 scene in 2021 and, as a rookie, won the opening round of the ProMX championship held at the Victorian-based Wonthaggi circuit. After qualifying fastest early in the day, Duffy went onto log 3-1 moto scores, leaving the opener with the red plate.

After covid-19 brought the season to an end prematurely three rounds in, Duffy finished the MX1 championship as runner-up, behind eventual champion Luke Clout. Those standout performances from then-teenager Duffy caught the eye of European teams, before his crash later in the year at a local race in Western Australia put a pause to any plans of heading overseas.

The arrival of Duffy at the in-house GasGas Racing Team marks his third stop across the KTM Group brands, achieving much of his success with KTM during his career to date, in addition to a shortened stint at Husqvarna in 2020 before the pandemic caused the season to be cancelled altogether.