Image: Octopi Media.

Michael Mosiman was in contention for his first Monster Energy Supercross victory, until he ‘crumbled on the race craft’ in the closing stages of the 250SX East main event on Saturday in Salt Lake City.

The TLD Red Bull GasGas rider got a great start and applied pressure to eventual race winner Jo Shimoda (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) through much of the main event.

Mosiman felt he had the speed to win the race, but mistakes eventually cost him a shot at the win as he dropped down the order after 12 laps up front.

“It’s been a long time off the bike and a long time off racing but it felt great to get back into it today,” Mosiman explained. ” I felt like I was the fastest guy out there today, I just crumbled on the racecraft, trying to make passes in spots that weren’t ideal and it cost me the win.”

Mosiman’s upward trajectory over the last few seasons has seen him progress to near championship contention level speed. While this season was marred by injury, he’s confident that he’s got the speed going forward to notch a victory in Supercross.

“I believe I was the guy that should have been winning and it’s disappointing but I’m trying to learn from it,” he continued. “I will be better going forward.”

A budding rivalry with Jett Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) continued to brew as well over the weekend at SLC 1, which will likely add fuel to the fire for Mosiman as the series heads into the final round and the 250SX showdown this Saturday.