Jay Marmont will look to defend his Aussie SX title at Newcastle this weekend. Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jay Marmont admits the pressure is on ahead of this weekend’s Terex Australian Supercross Championship final round in Newcastle, holding down a slender seven-point lead in the series over Dan McCoy.

Marmont, who has so far bounced back from a disastrous outdoor campaign, is in a familiar position as he battles for his fourth Open class SX title (2003, 2004 and 2011) and will maintain his focus into Saturday night’s proceedings.

With just one more race left to challenge US-based Aussie Chad Reed, Marmont has his sights set on achieving that goal this weekend.

“I’ve been in this position a lot before and I can honestly say it doesn’t get any easier,” said the 30-year-old. “I have to stay positive and look forward to Newcastle.

“I’m going to try and take it to Chad before he heads back to America and if I can focus more on that, then the night should come easier to me.”

Reflecting on Toowoomba’s mudbath last weekend, Marmont was satisfied to extend his lead on a difficult night of racing.

“I know I could’ve done better,” Marmont reflected. “I got a very average start in the main and I didn’t want to crash so I settled into the mid pack around the first corner and from there I worked my way forward.

“I knew I needed to pass McCoy, which I did, but then he got me back when lappers got in the way. I got past him again and made it stick. I wasn’t good enough for the podium but good enough for what I want to do in the championship.”

Reed sits third in the standings and has an outside shot at the series win, 15 points in arrears of Marmont despite missing the opener.