FMF Makita Suzuki’s Josh Strang understands that he’ll need to perform at his best in the final rounds of the American Grand National Cross Country series if he’s to defend his title.

With four races remaining this year, the defending series champion is currently second in the overall points chase after finishing third last weekend in the Mountain Ridge GNCC round.

Australia’s Strang wants to finish the 2011 season strong, however, and bring home another championship for the FMF Makita Suzuki squad.

“I’ll have to get it together these last four races,” said Strang. “I felt good today and I was riding well, I just had a little bit of bad luck. I’m happy with third, but I’m disappointed with what I could have done.”

Despite his disappointment, Strang knows that there’s still plenty of racing left. He and his FMF Makita Suzuki crew are already focusing on the next round in Ohio in two weeks.

“I’ll just have to work hard these next two weeks and take care of business at the next race,” Strang added. “I’m looking forward to putting the FMF Makita Suzuki RM-Z450 back on top of the podium.”

Round 10 of the GNCC series will take place in St. Clairsville, Ohio, for the Powerline Park GNCC, with Strang trailing Yamaha’s Charlie Mullins by 17 points.