Crankt Protein Honda Racing’s Luke Clout piloted his CRF450R to a career-best result in the premier MX1 class at Nowra’s sixth stop of the Motul MX Nationals series last weekend, falling short of the podium in fourth place.

The MX1 rookie has been carrying an abundance momentum all season long, and his performance on Sunday has provided the New South Welshman with a new boost of confidence in the second half of the series.

“To finish fourth overall is the best result of the season so far, I’m happy with it and how I rode,” Clout told MotoOnline.com.au. “I think I’m definitely improving each weekend and making progress with the bike and myself as well.

“I think last weekend was just something that I needed to do for myself, now I can just go out there and continue to do it.”

The number four is just a step away from claiming a podium finish, and he’s adamant that he can make it happen before the championship concludes in late August.

“A podium is the next goal to tick off, and I have four more rounds to do it,” he continued. “I think my riding is good enough, and I’m confident now that I have everything to do it.

“So yeah, I want to be on the podium before the season ends. I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing and working hard, and I think if we keep on going, we should be able to land on the box.”

Shepparton will play host to the seventh round of the series, scheduled for Sunday, 16 July, in Victoria.