Australia’s Tye Simmonds is confident he has what it takes to make the main event after narrowly missing out at last weekend’s Anaheim 1 season opener of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship.

Simmonds lapped 22nd fastest in 450 Class qualifying on debut in the U.S. for JDR/J-Star/KTM before taking 10th in his heat and fourth in the last chance qualifier.

“My goal tonight was to qualify into the main event and after practice I felt confident I could achieve that with lap times just outside the top twenty,” remarked 18-year-old Simmonds.

Speaking of his heat race, where he missed a top nine qualifying position by one spot, Simmonds said he didn’t realise he was so close to making it.

“I didn’t realise I was in 10th on the last lap and I didn’t push as hard as I should have,” he reflected. “I have to keep reminding myself that this is my first U.S. Supercross as well as the teams and that it will take some time to adjust.

“My goal was to qualify tonight and I fell short of that but it will just make me work that much more for it in Phoenix.”

Aussie teammate Ryan Marmont impressed during his maiden AMA Supercross appearance at A1 in the Lites and will be looking for much the same come Phoenix on Saturday night.

The multiple-time Australian Pro Lites national champion took up a guest role for the newly-formed JDR/J-Star/KTM team – owned by Marmont’s Aussie JDR Motorsports operation – and went on to impress with 14th in the Lites main event.

Qualifying directly for the main event after finishing eighth in his heat, fast-starter Marmont was impressive on debut.

“My weakness is my speed right now,” the Wollongong local admitted. “My bike is great and my fitness is great but I need to pick up my speed and intensity to run the pace of these guys. “My goal was to make the main tonight and work toward a top 15 finish.

“So far I am two for two, so I am feeling pretty happy right now.”

Marmont will continue his AMA endeavor this weekend in Arizona before returning home to contest the Pro Open class in the Rockstar Energy MX Nationals for JDR Motorsports KTM.