Image: Octopi Media.

A breakout 250MX podium in round three will serve as ‘something to build on’, Levi Kitchen said as the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider looks to continue that strong form at High Point on Saturday.

Despite qualifying a lowly P13 at Thunder Valley, Kitchen shot into podium contention during the opening stages of moto one before he was relegated to fifth position by race-end.

Another good start in moto two saw ‘The Chef’ slot into P2 and he maintained the runner-up position throughout the majority of the race to take the checkered flag in second, securing his best overall result of the season in third position behind Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) and teammate Justin Cooper.

“I started off kind of slow in qualifying and then the first moto was pretty good,” reflected Kitchen. “I got a decent start and then kind of got shuffled back – I just really didn’t have a great pace going in that one.

“Then I turned it around in the second moto and got a good start, and ended up second for third overall. So overall, it was a good day, and it’s something to build on going into High Point.”

Third at Thunder Valley marks Kitchen’s second-career podium outdoors, his first also coming at Thunder Valley last year, where he picked up the first moto win. In contrast, High Point marked one of Kitchen’s toughest in 2022, and he will be looking to turn his fortunes around at the venue when the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship heads to Mt. Morris on Saturday.

“My experience was it was my worst race of the year,” Kitched added.”I don’t really have much to say on High Point right now, but I’ll get back to you after next weekend on that one…”

Three rounds into the 250MX championship this year, Kitchen currently sits sixth in the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship standings and 49 points back from red plate-holder Lawrence.