Kawasaki Racing Team’s Billy Mackenzie has claimed a lack of bike time held him back at last weekend’s Raymond Terrace round of the 2010 Rockstar Energy MX Nationals, the Scottish ex-world championship race winner continuing to heal a wrist injury suffered at Canberra’s second round in April.

Mackenzie found it tough in the muddy conditions to maintain his regular moto-winning speed at Raymond Terrace on Sunday, finishing second overall behind longtime British championship rival Brad Anderson, who took victory in his Australian debut.

“I wasn’t really happy with how I was riding [at Raymond Terrace] – I was picking some horrible lines and I wasn’t as focussed as I normally am,” Mackenzie commented. “I think it’s just lack of bike time. At Toowoomba when I won the round I had a bit of home track knowledge so that helped me through that weekend.

“This race, my fitness was better and my wrist is feeling good, I just wasn’t on it as I normally am with my line choice and my gear changes and my corners. There were just a lot of things that weren’t right today but the team worked their hardest.”

Mackenzie now sits fourth in the championship chase, 26 points behind series leader and defending dual champion Jay Marmont with three rounds remaining. Marmont was fifth overall on Sunday.

“I managed to claw some points back in the championship and that’s the goal, to win the championship, so to finish second to Brad isn’t a big deal today,” Mackenzie continued. “I’ve got the Manjimup race next week in Perth to keep busy and because I need the bike time. I’ll definitely get riding the bike more and concentrate on my training so it’s easier on race day.”

KRT Pro Lites contender Cody Mackie was also disappointed with his round results, claiming fifth overall and slipping to fourth in the standings.

“I’m very disappointed,” he said. “I put myself in good positions today but I really struggled with the track and couldn’t capitalise. Starts are my most fun thing at the moment and I’m getting a buzz out of them. I know how quick my KX250F is and I think that is a huge part.

“I have a lot of confidence in my bike – I can miss the jump and still get a good start. I just want to back it up for the team and most importantly myself. I’ll change a few things for the next round and hopefully get back up on the box. Much thanks to the team and Kawasaki for their support.”

Team manager Troy Carroll also reflected on the round, remaining confident that the team can soldier on in the titles.

“Today Billy was nowhere near his best – he wasn’t hitting his lines, he just wasn’t his normal self,” the Queenslander explained. “Overall he gained points in the championship. We don’t have to win every moto, just keep gaining points and he’s certainly doing that. The big picture is winning this championship and that’s what we’re all aiming to do. After a tough day at the office, the most important thing is that all the riders are fit and healthy and ready to do battle at the next round. ”

The series will continue at Albury Wodonga in Victoria on 27 June after a month hiatus.