Victorian Dylan Long experienced a breakout performance at Coolum’s ninth round of the 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals, scoring his first podium of the season.

The Empire Kawasaki ace has surged into form over recent rounds after injury saw him sidelined for considerable time at the beginning of the year, the number seven finishing just of the box one week ago in Moree.

Long rode supremely well in the tough conditions, earning a combined ranking of fourth in the pair of sprint races before putting on a stellar charge in the final encounter, crossing the line in P3.

“I’m a little bit late with the podium, I wish it was a bit earlier, but I can’t complain – I finally got one,” Long explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “Missing those first three rounds – it sucked, and it’s taken me a long time to get to where I belong. I’m stoked to be up here – I had two really good races today and one average race which I really wish I had a better start.

“We’ve got the bike handling good, and the last three rounds I’ve been feeling really, really good. I’ve really felt that these last three rounds I can put it up on the box, and today that’s what I did. I’m excited for tomorrow with the two 30s and we’ll see how it goes.”

It was a difficult day for Long’s Empire Kawasaki teammate Lawson Bopping, who pulled in during sprint race two with ongoing health issues and didn’t return for moto two. Racing resumes tomorrow for the 10th and final round of the series.