Image: Foremost Media.

Following a lacklustre start to his MX2 title defence, Wonthaggi’s Pirelli MX Nationals double-header proved to be a turning point for Egan Mastin as he clawed his way back onto the podium for the first time this season.

The new format of back to back rounds on consecutive days was always going to test riders and their machines, and it seemed to significantly play into the favour of Mastin, who was fifth overall during Saturday’s third round before bouncing back for an impressive second in Sunday’s edition.

With a host of mixed results and non-scorers amongst the quarter-litre field, it’s allowed the KTM Motocross Racing Team rider to close the points deficit to the lead group, and despite sitting in sixth, he now’s just four points shy of the top three in the standings.

“It was a great weekend in the end and I am really happy,” Mastin expressed. “You had to make sure of what you were doing because it could come up and bite you and you would be on the ground. I got a solid fourth place in the first moto and just moved into the second moto with a half-decent start.

“I worked my way up to second place and just stayed there – I felt very solid today, the bike felt great and it was the best I’ve felt all year. To get second overall is definitely what I needed after a reasonable round on Saturday, so I’m going to keep the ball rolling onto the next event and can’t wait.”

Team manager and former multi-time Australian champion Jay Marmont commended the youthful talent for his efforts, explaining the number one was different rider on the bike in comparison to previous rounds.

“Egan really turned his day around and his championship to be honest,” Marmont commented. “He went out in practice and was a very different rider – he was very free flowing on the bike. With all the DNFs from the others guys, second overall has put him back in the hunt for the championship.”

Mastin is no stranger to coming from behind in the championship hunt, bouncing back in 2017 to win four of the last five rounds of the season to ultimately be crowned champion.