Image: Simon Makker.

Tunetech Racing KTM’s Kale Makeham is confident a positive off-season of training will have him in a strong position when the gates drop at Broadford’s opening round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals this Sunday.

Makeham was a revelation last year on his way to second in the standings behind Luke Styke, and will enter 2014 as a clear title candidate. He’s back to full fitness after a shoulder injury sustained in supercross.

“I’m feeling really good in the lead up to round one, we’ve had a really solid off-season,” he commented. “We got about 12 good weeks good in on the bike and we’re really happy with how things are going.

“The team is good and mentally and physically I feel awesome. I’m really looking forward to round one and just getting back out there with Australia’s best – it seems like a long time in between races and I’m really excited.”

Despite numerous offers to ride on rival teams for the 2014 season including in MX1, Makeham will remain aboard his Tunetech-run KTM 250 SX throughout this year.