Image: Supplied.

Quad Lock Honda’s Brodie Connolly has suggested that he has ‘work to do’ following his return to Pro Motocross at the RedBud National, with the two-time Australian MX2 champion lining up behind the gate for the first time in almost a year.

The 22-year-old Kiwi qualified 19th in 250MX before crashing moments after the gate dropped in moto one, recovering to finish 24th. He then ran inside the top-15 for more than half of moto two, eventually crossing the line in 22nd to secure 25th overall.

“[My weekend] was okay,” reflected Connolly. “I had a better feeling than I thought I would, obviously it’s been like 11 months since I last raced. I’ve been feeling good during the week, but with racing it’s always different. We had a few little bike issues and, first moto, I was on my face halfway down the start straight, so that didn’t help.

“That race fitness and race aggression always takes a little bit to come back. I learned that the tracks are gnarly, it’s really warm, and I have some work to do – which is going to take a little bit. But I’m stoked to be back, it’s awesome to be here.”

Setting changes throughout the week aimed at better replicating Pro Motocross conditions will be the focus leading into this Saturday’s Southwick National, as both Connolly and the team continue developing their CRF250R package.

“We’ll just keep riding [entering Southwick] and then maybe tweak the bike a little bit – the tracks I have been riding are not as rough as [RedBud], so I think stiffening up the suspension will help me,” he added.