Image: Supplied.

Team Honda HRC will retain Christian Craig through the remainder of the 2018 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, deputising in place of Ken Roczen and Cole Seely.

Craig was initially penciled in the ride 450SX in Atlanta and Daytona, but how will forego his 250SX West commitments with Geico Honda to remain in the premier class.

“It opened the door for me to ride in the 450 class and gave me an opportunity put in some better results than I had last year on the 450,” Craig said after finishing fifth in Atlanta. “I had a couple days on the bike and just came into it with an open mind.

“I didn’t have any expectations except to be proud of myself and how I rode – I think that showed in how I performed. All day was solid, I’ve been working a lot on the mental side of things so it’s time to finally show it. I led a lot of laps tonight, both in the first and last motos.

“Being up front isn’t something you can practice for, you have to just do it and learn from it. It was fun to ride with those top guys, so I’m looking forward to next weekend in Daytona and am hoping to keep building off tonight. Fifth is a personal best for me, so I’m pretty happy with this, but on the other hand I’m hungry for more.”

Craig currently sits sixth in the 250SX West standings following the opening five rounds, but will now complete the second half of the season with HRC as both Roczen and Seely recover from their injuries sustained during the year.