Image: Octopi Media.

Experienced 250SX West title-challenger Max Anstie has conceded that he’s ‘gotta be better’ after finishing sixth overall via 10-6-2 individual scores at the Houston Triple Crown, now facing a 19-point deficit to runaway series leader Haiden Deegan.

The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider’s customary strong starts largely evaded him across the three-race format, struggling to get off the line in the opening two races and subsequently battling in the mid-pack.

Adjustments to his YZ250F for the third and final outing paid dividends with an improved P2 result, but the night ultimately saw Anstie lose valuable points to defending champion and teammate Deegan.

“Houston Triple Crown wasn’t very good,” he reflected. “It was just a really tough night – these things are hard, man, to get it right. Bad start in the first moto and I went down, ended up coming through to 10th. Bad start in the second moto and I got to sixth.

“I had no idea what I was doing because literally I holeshot everything, usually, and I could not for the life of me get out of the gate. I put two and two together, there was a bit going on with the air pressure – the temperature was very cold, the bike was extremely snappy, and I was struggling to control it.

“I made a few changes for the last moto and it was night and day [difference], way better. I should’ve made those changes earlier, but you live and learn – I was pleased with the last race. It’s not great, but I will take it… just gotta be better.

“I made my life difficult with those first two starts, but I am learning all the time. I was talking to the guys, saying, ‘Anaheim 1 was an easy day, we’ll do it next week, and we’ll be fine.’ But man, it’s hard to get these things right, but when you’re on a roll, it comes easy.”

Anstie has since struggled to find the form that saw him take the season-opening victory at Anaheim 1, with 5-6-6 scores across the following three rounds, positioning him second in the western division at the conclusion of January.