Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Ford Dale is maintaining a positive attitude after rival Luke Styke further extended his MX2 championship lead at round six of the Monster Energy MX Nationals in Hervey Bay over the weekend.

A rough and very challenging track proved to bring many unstuck, although the Queensland native still finished a respectable third overall, he admits he had too many crashes on the day.

Despite dropping another 14 points behind championship leader Styke who won the round, Dale says it was good to come out with a podium finish after the mid-season break.

“After a six week break it is kind of like the season starting all over again so it was good to come out of today with a podium,” Dale said.

“My CRF250 was awesome today I just had too many crashes. I am still sitting second but I conceded a few more points to Luke (Styke).

“The next four rounds are tracks that I really enjoy so I am looking forward to some better results,” Dale added.

Dale now sits 46 points behind Styke in the title chase, with four rounds to go the series will now head to Horsham in Victoria for round seven on 15 July.