Image: Octopi Media.

An uplift in the final moto of the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship at Ironman Raceway saw Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Aaron Plessinger secure third place for the round, also claiming a series podium overall.

After dropping from second to fifth in Ironman’s opening moto, Plessinger has named ‘tightening up’ as the ongoing trend over the last three rounds, saying he struggled with it in the first outings at Budds Creek, Unadilla and this past weekend.

Plessinger was able to turn it around in moto two at round 11 by fighting through to third place, which was enough to land him on the overall podium for the weekend.

“This first moto here was almost a repeat of Budds Creek and Unadilla,” said Plessinger. “I kind of tighten up about halfway through and a lot of people get by me and I hold my own around fourth or fifth.

“Then we get back and regroup and make little changes to the bike and I come out and ride a lot better… I have no idea. We have to figure that out. I’ve been working on it, well trying too, but it is what it is – I’m pumped to finish the outdoor season out on the podium.

“We experienced a few ups and downs this year, which is all part of racing, although continued to fight and ended up with P3 overall in the championship. Onto the SMX playoffs now, I’m stoked and intrigued to see what the tracks will be like, and excited to take the sport to all-new venues also.”

P3 in the 450MX standings was the end result, landing on the overall podium three times this season including a P2 at Thunder Valley and Budds Creek. He holds the second seed ahead of the inaugural SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) playoffs, which commence on 9 September at zMax Dragway.