Image: MXN.

Crankt Protein Honda Racing’s Luke Clout will carry positive round one momentum into Appin’s second round of the 2017 Motul MX Nationals series on 23 April.

Logging a top five finish on debut in the MX1 category in Wonthaggi, it was a strong and satisfying entry into the class for the 2014 MX2 champion on return from a 2016 season in the United States.

“I had two good starts and pretty good races,” Clout told MotoOnline.com.au. “I had a crash at the end of the day which cost me fourth in the moto and fourth overall on the day, but I can’t really complain, I got fifth overall and that was my goal, to be top five. I’ve just got to go home, keep working and just see how we go at Appin.”

Hailing out of Sydney’s north west, Appin serves as Clout’s home round on the Australian motocross calendar and he will be looking for a repeat performance at the event in front of friends and family.

“Appin is my home track, I don’t get to ride it as often, but I do have the home crowd and all my friends and family and stuff like that,” he explained. “I just want to go there and be where I left off today, battling in the top five, getting good starts, being up front, battling with the guys and learning.

“I think I can be a podium guy towards the end of the year and hopefully win some races, that is my goal. For right now I just want to be in the top five consistently, put in good races, keep the bike on two wheels and just learn a lot.”

Following a fifth place overall finish at the season-opener, Clout currently sits 19 points behind series leader and defending champion Dean Ferris with nine rounds remaining.