North Queenslander Jackson Richardson is eyeing a first-career MX Nationals crown in 2018 after signing with Penrite CRF Honda Racing to lead their challenge on-board an official CRF250R.

As the defending back-to-back Australian Supercross Champion in SX2, 23-year-old Richardson has set his sights on the MX Nationals MX2 crown aboard the all-new Honda after departing Yamaha.

“I put most of the pressure on myself, but Honda definitely want a championship and they’re putting a lot of work in this year with the new bike,” Richardson told MotoOnline.com.au. “I’m excited for the challenge and hopefully we can get an MX Nationals title and then go three in a row in supercross – that’s the goal for this year.”

Richardson’s defection from Serco Yamaha to Honda was heavily-rumoured through the latter stages of supercross last year, only to be confirmed at the beginning of January alongside returning Western Australian talent Kyle Webster. He said returning to CRF machinery was a major part of his decision.

“My biggest thing was that it was with Honda and I’d been with them for a few years prior to my last couple with Serco,” Richardson said. “I really like the bike and I’ve always loved the way it’s felt, so seeing this new one come out and the changes that they’d made, I was excited to make a change and see how it went riding the new bike.”

Last weekend marked a strong first appearance for Richardson at the Coffs Harbour Stadium MX event, winning the MX2 class overall on a near-stock bike ahead of Jay Wilson (Yamalube Yamaha Racing) and incoming Serco duo Wilson Todd and Nathan Crawford.