Image: Octopi Media.

The opportunity to capitalize on riders being out is a good one, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Aaron Plessinger said after finishing fourth overall at Fox Raceway’s Pro Motocross Championship opener.

A 5-4 moto score saw Plessinger tied on points with teammate Cooper Webb, but ultimately get the fourth position on a countback.

He displayed impressive speed in the opening moto, logging the third-fastest lap of the race with a 2m27.406s. Unfortunately, multiple crashes would leave him to settle for P5. He improved to P4 later in the afternoon.

“I think why I went down in the first moto, is cause I was looking ahead and I wanted to get [Dylan Ferrandis],” Plessinger told MotoOnline. “I should’ve just cooled off and let it come to me, instead of just trying to push forward.

“But, it is hard not to do that, because so many people are out and this is such a good opportunity to get up there and get these points, especially for the SMX series at the end of the year. It’s a good chance to get a lot of points while these guys are out, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Plessinger leaves the opening round fourth in the 450MX standings with 34 points, 16 behind overall winner and red-plate holder Jett Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) as the series heads to Hangtown this Saturday, 3 June, for round two.