It was a career-best podium result for Jesse Dobson at the third round of Penrite ProMX in Maitland, although the Serco Yamaha rider insists the best is yet to come.

Dobson, who battled a collarbone injury at the previous round in Canberra, had so far fallen just shy of the podium this season with 4-5 overall results at the first two rounds.

His fortunes turned around in New South Wales on Sunday, where put on an impressive display to finish second overall with a 3-2 moto scores, completing the weekend just one point short of overall winner and points leader Kyle Webster (Honda Racing).

Dobson’s consistent run of results has positioned him strongly in the championship standings, where he holds down second amid a mid-season surge in the title hunt.

“It’s finally nice to get up on the podium for a round,” Dobson commented. “I have been so close so many times over the years and had way too many fourth places to even think about so it’s awesome to break that ceiling and actually get the job done.

“I was close at Wonthaggi and Canberra, but now to be 100 percent fit and to get on the podium is a huge monkey off my back. I am also just as happy that I was able to put together two good motos where I was strong all the way to the end and didn’t many too many mistakes out there, especially in that second race as the track went hard and slippery in spots.

“My bike was in great shape all day, so thank you to the team for all the hard work and I’m now second in the championship, which is also the best I have ever been in a national professional championship.

“The result is also the result of a lot of work I have been putting in with Ford Dale, so I will continue to work with him as I think the best is yet to come and hopefully a round win isn’t too far away.”

Dobson’s next opportunity to claim an elusive victory will be Wodonga’s fourth round of ProMX on 25 July in Victoria.