Image: Foremost Media.

A return to riding this week following months on the sidelines with a leg injury as prompted MX2 title contender Nathan Crawford to set a modest target at round one of the Pirelli MX Nationals, scheduled for 17 March at Appin in New South Wales.

The Serco Yamaha talent split the top of his tibia at Coolum’s Australian supercross round in October last year while filling in for Dean Ferris at CDR Yamaha Monster Energy, which also marked his racing return after a shoulder injury sidelined him from Wonthaggi’s MX Nationals in May.

Cleared to ride three weeks ahead of schedule, the popular Queenslander is aiming to get through Appin’s opener healthy, admitting a top 10 result would be an adequate way of commencing his pursuit for the crown.

“I’m taking it pretty slow because I obviously had a bit of time off,” Crawford explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “I can only do a certain amount of days at a time, but I mean I’m stoked to be back on the bike. The leg feels exactly how I expected it to feel – it’s not bad and it’s not hurting, but it obviously doesn’t feel as strong as my other leg.

“I’m pretty happy with where I’m at considering I’m on the bike three weeks earlier than we planned. Honestly, the goal is to get to the finish line – I have personal goals, and realistic ones, but I think for round one I just need to put them aside and not let my ego take over.

“I know I’m more than good enough to finish inside the top 10, and a good day for me at round one would be inside the top five. We’ll just see how it plays out.”

Crawford will pilot the all-new 2019 Yamaha YZ250F this season alongside newcomer Aaron Tanti, and just after two days on the Serco-prepared machine, he’s already achieved promising feedback.

“The bike is good – all the Yamaha 250 teams are at a spot this year where we’re trying to develop the bike,” he continued. “Because it’s all-new, it’s going to take time make gains, but I think we’re getting there and bike is great from standard – it’s just fine tuning and I think we’re at a good spot with the bike.”