Image: Simon Makker.

Four-time Australian Motocross Champion Jay Marmont has vowed to keep working hard in a bid to return to race-winning form with CDR Yamaha after finishing ninth at Broadford’s opening Monster Energy MX Nationals round.

Marmont won consecutive MX1 titles with the factory Yamaha operation from 2008 through 2011 before switching to Kawasaki, unable to repeat that form during two difficult seasons in green.

His return to Yamaha was anticipated to be a strong one, however 7-10-10 finishes for ninth overall was the end result upon return to the team. Despite the trying return, Marmont will target improvement in coming rounds.

“Today wasn’t great, but it was a start,” Marmont commented. “The more time I spend on the bike, the more I learn about it and the better I ride it.

“It’s only round one and there is a long way to go, so my goal now is to improve each and every race and drag myself towards the front of the pack.

“I’m working hard, as is the team, so I’m sure we can get ourselves back in contention in the coming rounds.”

Team owner Craig Dack – an instrumental part of Marmont’s titles aboard the YZ450F – is confident the combination can return to the front as confidence increases during the season.

“With Jay, he is just a bit low on confidence at the moment, but I think it’s just a race away,” Dack said. “His talent, hard work and fitness hasn’t gone anywhere so if he can just get himself a good result, I’m positive he will be away.

“The fact that the next round is at Appin, a track he likes, we hope it might come sooner rather than later.”