Image: Supplied.

A fast start to the opening moto at the MXGP of Sumbawa-Indonesia saw Australia’s Mitch Evans inside the top three during the early stages, ultimately finishing the round eighth overall as he is positive with the steps made every week.

Evans finished eighth in the qualifying race at round 10 and shot out the gates strong in moto one on Sunday to feature inside the top three on lap one, later dropping to finish the encounter in P9.

In race two, the Kawasaki Racing Team rider was eighth at the completion of lap one and elevated to feature inside the top six before taking the chequered flag in P7 to secure eighth overall for the round.

“My start was really good in moto one but I just struggled a little in the heat towards the end,” Evans said. “I had a better feeling physically in race two and could make a couple of good passes for seventh. We keep making steps every week so that’s good.”

Evans was sidelined throughout the opening rounds with a thumb injury sustained prior to the season-opener. He has been building since his return in Portugal, with his best result of the season to date coming in Germany where he was seventh overall and P6 in moto two.

The 2023 MXGP World Championship continues with round 11 this weekend at Lombok, Indonesia.