Image: Supplied.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Jed Beaton has identified the importance of consistently making good starts in a bid to be closer to the front, notching fourth overall in MX2 at France.

The 23-year-old made a good launch in the first moto, moving into fourth on the opening lap before passing Jago Geerts (Monster Energy Yamaha) on lap five for third, ultimately where he finished the race.

A mediocre start in race two effectively put Beaton out of podium contention – sixth at the end of lap one in a tightly contested field. The Husqvarna rider managed to move into fifth briefly before finishing the race P6, bagging 35 points from round 12.

“I guess overall It was a good day but on this track you really needed two good starts,” Beaton explained. “I got a great one in race one and brought it home for third so that was pretty decent, and I was happy with my riding.

“I didn’t quite execute the same start in race two but I was able to make a few passes early on and ended up sixth. Not too bad but with a better start I know I could have been much closer to the front. It’s a little frustrating but now it’s onto Spain next weekend.”

To date, the Australian’s best overall result this season is second in The Netherlands, and with six rounds of racing left in the 2021 world championship, he will be hoping to use good starts to help land him an elusive MX2 overall victory.

The 2021 MXGP World Championship resumes this weekend at intu Xanadu – Arroyomolinos, Spain, marking round 13 of the championship on 17 October.