Three-time Australian champion Dean Ferris admits he almost contemplated a return to the Pirelli MX Nationals during a quiet period of negotiations in cementing a deal in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, however he’s relieved to have remained patient as opportunities now present themselves.

Speaking on this weekend’s MX Nationals opener at Appin in New South Wales, Ferris says it’s strange to not be lining up for the highly-anticipated event, although focusing on a new-found career path has allowed him to overcome the angst.

“It’s kind of strange actually,” Ferris told MotoOnline.com.au. “I guess at some stage I had a fear of missing out, but I just had to realign my focus and know that I’m going onto different things now and make sure I keep going in that direction.

“Up until recently I didn’t really have anything on the go, so I almost contemplated coming [back], but I’m glad I’ve hung in there and some opportunities have come up now. It’s definitely strange not being there, but I’m also excited with where my career is going.”

The popular New South Welshman, who’s been linked to a fill-in ride in the MXGP World Championship for the time being, recently made a brief trip to America, and his since returned to finalise his visa and maintain a regular training schedule.

“I’m still working on it right, and there are still quite a few weeks until the nationals start there, so there’s no reason to panic,” he continued. “I’ve come home to sort out my visa and continue riding to make sure I’m in shape if anything comes my way.

“I just needed a good set-up quick-smart, so I just pulled my ’16 [championship bike] out of the shed and started riding it. I could’ve got a bike from Yamaha – our relationship is still really good – but that was the quickest and best way to get some laps under my belt. It’s really cool to ride my old bike and compare it to the latest model and see how Yamaha has improved.”

Ferris rode for CDR Yamaha Monster Energy from 2016 through to 2018 after a lengthy stint in Europe and briefly in America, earning the premier class crown in all three seasons he campaigned in domestically with the powerhouse squad.

Former MX2 champion Jay Wilson says his set-up for the upcoming 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals will remained largely unchanged from the setting he utilised in the closing stages of last season.

The Yamalube Yamaha Racing talent transitioned to the all-new 2019 YZ250F for Coolum’s finale before piloting the title-winning machine to the 2018 Australian Supercross Championship SX2 crown.

The number six spent a significant portion of the off-season sidelined with hand injury sustained at the Monster Energy AUS-X Open Sydney, however now fully recovered, Wilson believes he’s had an adequate amount of time on the bike to competitively contend this weekend at Appin’s season-opener in New South Wales.

“I had a pretty good crash in qualifying at the final round of supercross last year and did some damage to my hand that meant I have to have eight weeks off the bike,” Wilson explained. “There was some bone bruising in there as well as some general soreness, but I was able to start riding again in late January and have put in a solid six weeks riding.

“Each day on the bike I feel a bit better and my fitness off the bike has been good. I have had three races in the lead up to the opening round and done well at those. The bike itself is largely unchanged from what I raced at the end of last season, and that’s fine by me as I love the 2019 YZ250F.

“Appin was a good round for me in 2018 and I’m happy to get our championship under way at a track I have done well at in the past. The team has done a great job getting things ready, so all that is left to do is execute out on the race track.”

Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s team line-up remains unchanged for 2019, however Richie Evans will graduate to the premier class and steer the YZ450F.