Image: Octopi Media.

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Christian Craig achieved his 2022 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship target with a top-five finish in the 450MX standings to conclude his stint with the team.

After securing the 250SX West title earlier this year, Craig returned to the premier class outdoors and commenced the series with a pair of thirds at Fox Raceway 1.

The YZ450F rider scored another three moto podiums throughout the season, the latest coming in moto one at Fox Raceway 2, where he ultimately completed the 12th round of the championship fourth overall with 3-4 scores. Craig ended the year fifth in the class with 373 points, notably finishing each of the 24 races for the first time.

“The final round went well, other than the heat,” Craig reflected. “I wanted to finish the year with two good motos, and I was able to do that with a 3-4. It wasn’t quite an overall podium, but to get top five in the points was my goal from the start.

“It was also my first time finishing all 24 motos, so that was another accomplishment for myself and the team. I had a super fun year with everyone.”

Craig joined the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing Team last year, competing on a quarter-litre in supercross and stepping up to the premier class outdoors for both of his terms with the squad.

Following success in season 2022,  Craig is widely-tipped to make the switch to the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team to compete on a 450 next year.