Will Billy Mackenzie’s Hervey Bay win boost him into title contention? Image: Simon Makker/Makkreative.com.

CDR Yamaha’s Billy Mackenzie is adamant that he remains a real threat for the 2013 Monster Energy MX Nationals championship after a breakthrough win at Hervey Bay on Sunday.

The Byron Bay-based Scotsman rode his YZ450F to a pair of third place finishes in the sands of Hervey Bay, resulting in the overall round win thanks to also scoring five points in the GoPro Super Pole qualifying session.

It was a vital victory for the former GP race winner, as Yamaha’s YZ450F development team from Japan were interested onlookers ahead of this week’s Australian launch of the 2014 model.

Mackenzie now sits 31 points off new MX1 leader Matt Moss in the title race following seven of 10 rounds, confident he can put forward a legitimate title challenge during the final three rounds of the season.

“100 percent, if there’s a mathematical chance I’m there,” Mackenzie told MotoOnline.com.au. “Anything can happen in this championship from here.

“We’re going to have to hope that Matt has a bad race, but I’ve had enough this year and I need to make sure I keep getting that Super Pole. Who knows? It could happen.”

Mackenzie has finished on the podium at five rounds so far this season including Raymond Terrace, Murray Bridge, Broadford, Conondale and Hervey Bay.