Kawasaki Motors Australia press release:

The MEGA Bulk Fuels Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team is set to enter this weekend’s special ‘Military Appreciation Round’ of the 2017 Motul MX Nationals series at Nowra, New South Wales, at full force.

The factory-supported Kawasaki outfit – which is associated with Team Navy – will welcome Nathan Crawford back from injury alongside experienced international racer Brett Metcalfe, who will make his highly anticipated debut aboard the KX450F locally.

Returning to racing action this Sunday will be team regular and standout MX1 class rookie Crawford, who spent almost six weeks off the bike to allow a nagging pre-season wrist injury to properly heal.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” said Crawford. “I’ve only been back on the bike this week, I started riding last Saturday and I still felt pretty decent. I’ve got a pretty good week under my belt and because I didn’t race Murray Bridge, I had a nearly six weeks off the bike letting my wrist get better so that definitely benefited me a lot. Hopefully we’ll be feeling pretty good this weekend.

“[Brett’s] obviously a veteran and he’s really good at what he does, it’s going to be good to have him under the truck. I might be able to learn a few things and the next five rounds with him are going to be really good.”

After riding to a third-place overall finish at Murray Bridge as a privateer entrant, former AMA motocross and supercross racer Metcalfe is excited to begin the new partnership and believes he and the MEGA Bulk Fuels Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team are a perfect fit.

“I’m really excited, to pick the ride up halfway through, I think it was the perfect match for both parties,” Metcalfe explained. “I’m just really excited and ready to get to the race this weekend and get underway.

“We’ve got five rounds to get out there and achieve some goals and this weekend we’ve got Nowra and it’s been a long time since I’ve been there, so it’s exciting. I feel good on the bike, it hasn’t been long on the bike, but I feel confident, comfortable and pumped to get back to racing.”

With previous seat time aboard the Kawasaki brand and multiple days of testing under his belt with the Troy Carrol-managed team, the South Australian is shooting for the top spot during the next five events.

“I’m quietly confident,” continued Metcalfe. “I’m familiar with the Kawasaki brand as I’ve ridden it for five years throughout my career in the States, so the bike is a good fit and we’ve had two really good days of testing and the speed has been really good.

“I’m just looking forward to getting out there and seeing what we’ve got as a package. Like I said, I’m quietly confident to go out racing and definitely shooting for some wins during these last five rounds would be the goal, so we’ll see where we can go.”

After entering the mid-season break one man down, team manager Troy Carroll is excited to enter Nowra’s round six with two healthy and capable racers under aboard the 2017 Kawasaki KX450F machines: “I’m happy to have a full and healthy team coming into the last five rounds of the MX Nationals. We’re definitely keen to land our Kawasaki KX450F on the podium.”

Nowra’s sixth round of the 2017 MX Nationals will take place this Sunday, 2 July, in New South Wales. Further information on the 10-round series can be found on the official website at www.mxnationals.com.au.

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