Image: Supplied.

Muc-Off Honda press release:

The Championship has passed the halfway mark and Muc-Off Honda Racing team riders Justin Brayton and Mitchell Harrison are placed well in the first of three rounds in Arlington, Texas.

A recovering Brayton only managed a total of 25 minutes of riding before he geared up to race round 10, after missing several rounds due to a serious chest injury.

“I didn’t know if I would race tonight. My chest is still very sore and it’s hard for me to breathe, which makes things difficult when you’re gasping for air in the heat of battle. I felt strong in the beginning of the race but I struggled around the halfway mark.” Brayton said.

Brayton qualified from his heat race directly to the main, showing strong pace sticking inside the top 10 for the first half of the race. After 20 minutes of racing Brayton slipped back to take 13th.

“I am happy we are back racing and we will race back into shape in no time, it’s not that I have lost a lot of fitness, it’s just that everything is tight, I am still sore and I need to get some laps under my belt. These next two rounds will be good for me to get settled back into it.” Finished Brayton.

Mitchell Harrison had his best finish to date, qualifying 7th and finishing 8th in the final, but it wasn’t without its challenges.

“I came together with someone in the heat and had to go to the last chance qualifier. I won that which was a relief. Then in the main I made a mistake mid-race but was able to recover and pass a few riders to take 8th. It’s my best finish for the year and it gives the team and I something to build off. I can’t wait for Tuesday, the bike is running awesome and I’m having lots of fun.” Harrison said.

In a quick turnaround for round 11 which takes place on Tuesday. The team will be busy preparing over the next 48 hours.