Image: Octopi Media.

Third-place in the opening 450MX moto at RedBud was a welcome return to the podium for Joey Savatgy after experiencing highs and lows in his near four-year absence from the rostrum.

Savatgy’s last Lucas Oil Pro Motocross top-three finish was in 2018, where he crossed the line in P3 during the second 250MX moto at Unadilla.

An up and down period since was capped off by injury in this year’s 450SX before his team Rocky Mountain ATV/MC-KTMWPS withdrew, leaving him in search of a seat.

For 2022 outdoors the number 17 was drafted into Monster Energy Kawasaki to replace the injured Adam Cianciarulo, and after forgoing Fox Raceway’s opener as he progressed in form, has taken a step forward at each round this season.

The KX450 rider made a great start in the opening race at RedBud and ran second for the majority of outing, losing P2 to red plate-holder Chase Sexton in the closing stages to finish third.

“It’s been almost four years since the last time I was on the podium and there have been plenty of highs and lows along the way,” Savatgy explained.  “Finally getting myself back up on the box in the first moto felt amazing.

“Thank you to the Monster Energy Kawasaki team for this opportunity to be racing and improving each weekend. I was set back a bit overall by the crash in moto two but, we took major steps in the right direction today and look forward to more progress ahead.”

Ninth in moto two meant Savatgy landed sixth overall in Michigan, and despite the second race crash limiting his moto score it was his strongest round of 2022 450MX to date.