Image: MXN.

MX2 title challenger Egan Mastin believes race wins will be key to securing his first Australian championship in the quarter-litre category after falling short of the podium at last weekend’s Motul MX Nationals in Victoria.

The youthful talent led the opening moto before dropping to fourth, while he was able to bounce back in race two to take a valuable win.

Despite the race victory, Mastin lost crucial points on overall victor and championship leader Wilson Todd (DPH Motorsport Yamaha), with the Davey Motorsports KTM rider acknowledging there’s still an abundance of points up for grabs as three rounds remain.

“I wasn’t happy with my first moto,” said Mastin. “I had the lead but once someone got around me I rode a bit tight. I know I’ve definitely got the speed, I just need to work on a few little things.

“I think we’re about 19 points behind in third after this weekend, so with three more rounds up for grabs there’s still a fair few more points to go. I just need to keep putting it up front and getting it done. I’ll just keep ticking over with the training and aiming for race wins, and hopefully it all pans out.”

The Motul MX Nationals will visit Port Macquarie on Sunday, 30 July, marking the final New South Wales stop on the 10-round calendar before heading to Queensland to close out the championship.