Dean Ferris’ Motul MX Nationals winning formula will remain unchanged as the CDR Yamaha rider returns his focus to this weekend’s sixth round of the 2017 series at Nowra in New South Wales.

Yet to give up an overall MX1 victory to his rivals, the defending champion will continue with his regular program and looks forward to entering this year’s Nowra event in control of the premier class championship chase.

“The plan for me this weekend is the same that it has been for the first five rounds – to win,” said Ferris. “It’s been working well so far so we’ll stick to it at Nowra too.

“Last year we were heading to Nowra with a whole lot of pressure – I really needed to get my championship back on track, but we’re not exactly dealing with that this season which is nice, I don’t have that huge points deficit that I need to make up.

“Last year it was my first time heading to Nowra and I quite enjoyed it – we were pretty successful there, so I’m looking forward to heading back this weekend.”

The former MXGP World Championship racer also highlighted his newfound ability to ensure smarter long-term championship decisions are made on-track in comparison to his 2016 season.

“I like winning – I like winning a lot but last year earlier in the season I may have crashed out because all I was thinking about was winning that race, so the two races that I have been beaten in this year have been a challenge but I’ve now learnt when to back off,” Ferris explained. “I’m proud of myself that I’m able to make those decisions now, and it’s paid off a lot this season.”

Returning recently from a strong seventh-place overall 450 Class debut in the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship during the mid-season break, the current Australian MX1 series leader looks forward to returning his full attention to the domestic series: “I’ve had a great five week break, and now I’m just looking forward to switching my attention back to the championship here and doing my best on Sunday,” Ferris concluded.

Ferris returns to Nowra in 2017 as the defending round winner after defeating Matt Moss for the MX1 overall victory with a 2-1 moto scorecard.