Image: Supplied.

An eye-catching debut for Jed Beaton at Matterley Basin saw the F&H Kawasaki rider score an impressive 5-7 scorecard, citing ‘it’s pretty crazy to finish sixth first time in MXGP’.

Beaton made the jump to the premier class this season after a stint with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team – ultimately ageing out of MX2, returning to the F&H squad this time on a KX450 with the bigger capacity bike better suiting his physique.

The 24-year-old charged past Glenn Coldenhoff and Jeremy Van Horebeek to secure the top-five result in the opening race, before holding sixth for the majority of the opening half of the second moto before being passed by 2021 MX2 champion Maxime Renaux, Beaton then delivering another solid result in seventh for P6 overall.

“Obviously I’m pretty happy with my day,” Beaton explained. “I didn’t know what to expect coming here so it’s been pretty crazy to finish sixth first-time in MXGP.

“I think everyone always likes riding this track and I felt relaxed all day, got two good starts, rode my own race each time and tried to stay solid for fifth and seventh. For me I actually feel a lot more comfortable on the 450 and am really enjoying riding it; it’s more to handle but I’m a big guy and the little bit more power is good for me.”

Beaton’s second outing in MXGP comes next weekend at Mantova, a venue where he finished seventh last year in MX2 but can draw on the many positives throughout his first weekend racing the 450 in the world championship.