Image: Marc Jones (Foremost Media).

Yamalube Yamaha Racing newcomer Richie Evans has accomplished what he set out to achieve in the opening round of the Pirelli MX Nationals last weekend, collecting a respectable top five finish in Newry, Victoria.

Qualifying 10th, the Queenslander stormed to 4-6 race results on debut with the factory-supported Yamaha outfit, ultimately tying for fourth and being credited fifth on count-back.

Evans was evidently satisfied with his performance to kick-off his 2018 campaign, which is a strong base that he’s looking to build off in an effort to reach the podium.

“Today my goal was to put together two good motos and finish around the top five for the day, so it feels good to achieve that,” Evans explained. “Today’s result was a good reward for everyone on the team who has put in a lot of work to get me here.

“The plan is to just continue working hard and trying to improve every time I’m on the track. My bike is great my fitness is getting better all the time so each round I just want to get a little better and head towards the podium.”

The next round of the Pirelli MX Nationals is scheduled for 29 April at Appin in New South Wales, a venue which the number 86 displayed promising form at in 2017.