Image: Jeff Crow.

DPH Motorsport Yamaha’s Kade Mosig will require a trouble-free final two rounds of the Monster Energy MX Nationals to clinch his pre-season target of a top five result in the MX1 ranks.

Mosig enters this weekend’s penultimate round at Gladstone in sixth position, 11 points behind fifth-placed Jake Moss and just eight ahead of fellow Yamaha-mounted standout Jacob Wright.

With Gladstone and Coolum taking the series home over the following two weekends, Mosig has high hopes of meeting expectations set in his return to the premier class during 2014.

“It’s been a pretty solid goal of mine to finish in the top five at the end of the season, especially for my first year in MX1,” said Swan Hill round winner Mosig. “There are still five more races to go so hopefully I can get some solid points.”

The Gladstone round holds particular significance for the Victorian, a close friend of fallen fan favourite Jono Porter, whom the round will be dedicated to come Sunday in his hometown.

“I rode Gladstone a couple of years ago and Jono Porter actually took me up there when I was younger,” he added. “The track is going to be really gnarly this weekend, but I’m really looking forward to the two 30-minute races.

“I’ve proved if I get the start then the racing is the easy part, so just want to get that start and stay up front this weekend.”

Teammate Sam Martin has also outlined the significance of a strong launch out of the gates during the pair of 30-minute motos at round nine. He currently holds ninth in the MX1 championship standings.

“I’ve done a lot of work on the bike and changed quite a few things there and I have a new riding trainer on board, so I feel like I’ve made the necessary changes for this weekend,” Martin said.

“I have always felt like I could run up the front, but things just haven’t gone to plan. The bike is a lot better this round, so I’m hoping that’s what’s been missing.

“I just need to get a good start this weekend – that’s what we’ve set the bike up for. So if I can get out the gate out the front, hopefully I can keep it that way.”