Image: Jeremy Hammer (Foremost Media).

Penrite Honda Racing’s Gavin Faith says he was exhausted after leading the opening half of the SX2 main event last Saturday night at the opening round of the 2017 Australian Supercross Championship in Jimboomba, Queensland.

The American, who hasn’t raced in five months, believes he didn’t compose himself in the 15-lap race despite feeling comfortable following a commanding holeshot.

The multi-time Australian supercross champion still managed to hold onto a podium position, fending off a hard-charging Mitch Evans (Serco Yamaha) for second, leaving him with clear improvements ahead of the second round.

“The final was going well, I got the holeshot and felt comfortable,” said Faith. “I pushed hard in the opening laps and exhausted myself. It’s been five months since I last raced and I didn’t compose myself and it most certainly affected my overall result. That said, I am happy to walk away with second place and take the weekend’s lessons into round two.”

The next round of the Australian Supercross Championship is slated for Saturday, 14 October, at Bacchus Marsh in Victoria, marking the second stop on the six round national calendar.