Image: Foremost Media.

A top 10 finish in his first ever entry into the Australian Supercross Championship has boosted Richie Evans’ belief in his ability after shining on debut at Jimboomba opening round.

Evans, an established outdoors rider, has solely contested motocross throughout his privateer years, with his Yamalube Yamaha Racing deal leading to a later than usual start in the discipline of supercross.

The talented Queenslander transferred directly to the main after finishing seventh in his heat, while he came out in the SX2 main and challenged inside the top 10, ultimately earning eighth position at the conclusion of the 15-lap encounter.

“I’m pretty happy with that,” Evans reflected. “I really didn’t know what to expect as what it looks like from the sidelines to what actually goes on the track are two completely different things. I tried to just keep calm, do all the jumps and whoops as good as I could as often as I could and finish safely.

“So, to be inside the top 10 and race with a lot of the more established supercross guys is good and gives me a bit more belief heading into round two. Things did get a bit crazy out there in the first few turns and riders and bikes are going everywhere but once the race settled down, I really enjoyed it and it was good to have the atmosphere of a big crowd around the track.”

His performance has earned commendation from team manager Scott Bishop, who was satisfied to see the number 86 relishing his results at the completion of the event.

“For Richie, it was his first ever supercross race,” Bishop explained. “Last year we had some injuries to our riders and Richie was a rider we looked at and even tried out to fill the vacant seat, but he acknowledged then he wasn’t prepared.

“Fast forward 12 months and he finishes eighth in his first race and was mixing it with all the established names in the class. He was nervous before the first heat but he proved he belongs, so it was great so see him pleased with himself after the final was over.”

The Australian Supercross Championship will now go into a three-week break before returning for round two on 6 October at Coolum in Queensland.