Image: Octopi Media.

Laps spent at the front of the field in the opening 450MX moto at Budds Creek serve as a timely boost for Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger, who looks to carry momentum into the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) post-season.

Maryland marked the penultimate round of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship and the regular season before the playoffs commence, with Plessinger posting the eighth-fastest time in qualifying to commence the day.

Plessinger made a strong start in moto one and took over out the front from Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy Kawasaki) on lap three, holding P1 until lap eight when 450MX champion Jett Lawrence made his way through. He would later drop to fourth in the closing stages, but a third-place result in moto two landed him second overall – equalling his best of the season.

“It’s a good way to end the season and my favourite track is coming up, so hopefully I can do something there and keep it on the box,” Plessinger reflected.

“The transition [to SMX], it is going to be weird, it’s going to be a first for everybody. Riding Supercross again, it is definitely wild, but it’s going to be fun. I’m ready for it and hopefully I can carry the momentum into that. Hopefully, I’ll be starting second, so I’m looking forward to it.”

The final round of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship takes place this Saturday at Ironman Raceway, before the SMX playoffs commence at zMAX Dragway on 9 September. Plessinger is currently second in the 450SMX standings and third in 450MX ahead of the final motos in the regular season.