Image: Foremost Media.

GasGas Racing Team MX2 racer Noah Ferguson is expecting that his full-time transition to the factory effort will be a major benefit as he continues his preparation for the 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship.

The 20-year-old has impressed since entering the MX2 class in 2021, showing race-winning speed and scoring moto and overall podiums on multiple occasions aboard privateer equipment.

This year will mark Ferguson’s first full season as a factory rider after he was initially drafted into the GasGas team before the final three rounds of ProMX in 2022 to replace injured team regular Blake Fox. That extended through The Australian Supercross Championship (AUSX), but now, he will have a complete pre-season to build upon.

“It’s a massive, massive difference,” Ferguson told MotoOnline. “Not having to worry about things leading into the opening round, just all little things that help me get ready makes the preparation for the year ahead so much easier – I can focus on my pre-season training and races, just the whole grind of it really. I let the team look after the bike and I go do my job. So, it makes life a lot easier, a lot less stress on my shoulders.”

Ferguson plans to take advantage of the perks of being an official team rider in the coming season outdoors, as he looks to become a podium regular in 2023 with the new series to commence on 5 March at Wonthaggi, Victoria.

“Definitely been an up and down couple of years as a privateer, just managing my training and riding program, how I’m getting to the races, how we’re funding it – all of that – so a factory ride takes a lot of weight off my shoulders,” he continued. “The expectations are definitely a lot higher now.

“I’ve showed that I’ve got the speed to do it, so now with the help of the team I just want to be more consistent, I want to be fighting for podiums every round so that when it gets to Coolum, we’re in the hunt. That’s the goal now, for sure, and I’m feeling good and riding good, my bike’s good, so it’s time to make it happen.”