American Josh Hill believes a crash in main event two at Wollongong’s third stop of the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship was the difference in missing out on a podium result in his return to the country.

The CDR Yamaha Monster Energy rider finished fifth in the opening main of the night before holding down a top three placing in race two until a crash in the closing stages forced him to salvage fifth.

He bounced back in the final outing, holding off three-time champion Justin Brayton (Penrite Honda Racing) to claim a well-deserved third for fourth overall.

“I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t make the podium as it would have been awesome to have a full CDR Yamaha Monster Energy team podium, but that small crash in race two proved the difference,” Hill explained.

“But for my first race in some time, it was good and the CDR Yamaha team has been amazing to deal with and so professional in getting everything sorted for me.

“I have worked hard in the lead up to these events and my goal is to do well here so hopefully things can improve from here and I can be up winning races and on the box at the final two rounds.”

The Australian Supercross Championship heads to New Zealand this Saturday for the Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland.