Jay Marmont has his sights set on an Appin victory at round eight. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

After undergoing mid-season surgery, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jay Marmont made a strong return to the 2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals series at Horsham in Victoria for round seven.

The four-time defending national MX1 champion battled throughout the beginning of the season with injuries, combining those injuries with an all-new team for this season proved to be a tough challenge.

Marmont took sixth overall at Horsham and put on a solid performance in the final gruelling 30-minute moto of the day crossing the line in fourth place.

“It was good to get back in the saddle. The first two races weren’t the best,” said Marmont. “The last race was a good one though. I got off to a mediocre start, overtook some guys and finished 4th so I was happy with that.”

The Wollongong native is looking forward to his home race at Appin in New South Wales on 29 July, Marmont will be aiming to take home the win in front of his friends and family.

“The Monster Energy Kawasaki was working awesome today,” he added. “I’m really looking forward to getting out there at Appin and try and get a round win at my home race.”

Marmont now sits completely out of the title MX1 chase in seventh place, and will be unable to defend his number one plate for 2012.