Image: MXN.

Australian MX2 ace Nathan Crawford has revealed his intentions to step up to the premier MX1 class in 2017 after recently announcing his three-year long partnership with Husqvarna in the quarter-litre category has concluded.

The popular Queenslander believes he meets the correct requirements to make the move this early in his career, which he stated would assist in him short tracking the process of being regarded as a premier rider in the number one division.

“I want to go to a 450, yeah,” Crawford told MotoOnline.com.au. “Just because I’m a taller guy, I feel like I’m strong, fit and ready to make that step. This year I ticked a lot of my goals in the 250 class – [I had] a lot of people giving me direction.

“Anywhere, the 450 class is the premier class. I’m not going to be a 250 rider my whole life, I just think that now is the time to move up and get my feet wet – I guess you could say to get a head start on a few guys who are staying in MX2. [I want] to try and become a premier MX1 rider – a championship rider – as soon as possible.”

Crawford commenced his partnership with Husqvarna in 2014 when he contested the MXD category before transitioning to MX2 in 2015, where he has since experienced many race wins and podiums with the manufacturer. The 19-year-old said the decision the leave the brand was made after consulting his family.

“I’ve been with Husqvarna for the last three years, they’re a great company and a great group of people too,” he explained. “It’s been a really long, thought out decision to be honest – it’s taken us a long time to actually make the decision. Basically, it came down to what was best for our family and you know, my Dad has obviously been taking me racing since I started.

“He has been with me for my whole career, and it’s kind of time for him to step away a little. Not so much as in he doesn’t want to do it, I have two little brothers and they need more Dad time too. It’s just come down to massive family decision, and we figured out what was going to be the best decision for 2017.”

Crawford came agonisingly close to being crowned an Australian MX2 champion this year after leading the class into the final round, however an injury sustained just days out of Coolum’s finale denied him the opportunity. An official announcement his future in 2017 is expected to be made in the coming days.