Image: Octopi Media.

Following a second-place finish at round two of the Pro Motocross Championship on Saturday, 450MX threat Aaron Plessinger has expressed his intention to become a legitimate title contender in 2025 after finishing P3 in points for the past two years outdoors.

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider’s potential was on full display during a scorching Hangtown weekend, with Plessinger leading the entire opening moto before conceding first place to Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) in the closing stages of the race.

Third position in moto two after a sixth-place start was enough to earn the 29-year-old second overall for the round, as he now climbs to P2 in the 450MX class standings – 16 points outside of red plate-holder Jett Lawrence (Honda HRC Progressive).

“I’ve entered the last four outdoor championships with an injury and it sucks,” explained Plessinger. “This year I feel really good, and so does the bike. I want to be a title contender and I don’t want to be that third-place guy, like I have been during the last couple of years.

“I want to race with the best in the world and not sit there, watch, and let them have it. I’m proud of myself on my performance today, and it gives me new confidence being up there like that. It’s nice to see that I’m in the form that I need to be.”

The former 250MX champion has finished the last two Pro Motocross seasons with third position in the 450MX division, and is still chasing an elusive first overall victory in the premier category outdoors.