Image: Foremost Media.

A top-five result at Maitland is evidence that GasGas Racing team’s MX2 hope Noah Ferguson is gaining mid-season momentum after his promising start to the 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship was slowed by injuries.

Ferguson came out guns-blazing at Wonthaggi and qualified fastest at this year’s national MX2 opener, later taking home third in the opening round.

However, a practice crash in the build-up to Appin left him with an extensive list of injuries, yet he attempted to line up for qualifying and moto one. At the third round, he concluded a soaked and sloppy day in Albury with a P7 result in moto two, and qualified sixth fastest, just under seven tenths from the lead on the weekend at Maitland.

As the gates dropped at the fourth round, Ferguson powered his MC 250F to a strong sixth-place ride in the opening moto, before the weather deteriorated for the second MX2 moto of the weekend, making for a slick, technical surface. Despite the challenges, the number 29 charged to a strong fourth-place position, which landed him fifth overall on the day.

“Maitland was a good weekend, P6 in moto one with a small mistake, then moto two had some difficulties off the start and charged back to P4, which was good – I felt really comfortable on the bike in that moto!” Ferguson said.

“I’m recovering well from injury, getting a lot more bike time throughout the week, so should be strong by the time we get to Gillman. All in all, I’m happy with the weekend, and excited to get back to 100 percent and finish this year’s championship strong.”

Ahead of the fifth round of the 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship at Gillman, South Australia on 28 May, Ferguson is eighth in the MX2 standings with 73 points.