Jeremy Martin made a promising Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship 450SX debut in Daytona in a one-off appearance with the Team Honda HRC team.

Finishing in second position behind Eli Tomac after just eight days aboard Ken Roczen’s 2017 CRF450R, it was a sign of big things to come for the GEICO Honda West Coast 250SX contender who plans to move to the premier class full-time in 2018.

“These guys are really fast and they’ve had a lot of experience, I just had a good feeling today,” said Martin. “That new Honda is an amazing bike, today was my eighth day on the bike and I’ve really enjoyed it and working with the whole factory Honda team.”

Martin, the winner of last year’s 250SX main event in Daytona, continued his form at the unique event leading half of the 20-lap main event ahead of a selection of the world’s best premier class supercross racers on debut.

“It was definitely a big rush, this is the premier class and these guys are all badasses,” Martin explained. “They all put in the time, they put in the time for over five years – these guys are the real deal.

“To be able to lead, I think it was 10 laps, 10 or 11, it was just cool. Much respect to everyone in the class, I just got a good start and put myself in a good position.”

Martin will now return to his regular role with the GEICO Honda team in the West Coast 250SX category where he currently sits ninth overall in the points standings.