Image: Jeff Crow.

Nathan Crawford is back on the bike following his 2015 supercross injury and ready to contest his second season in the MX Nationals MX2 class.

The Husqvarna-backed rider finished sixth overall in his rookie MX2 season capturing podiums and a race win along the way before a supercross crash quickly ended his 2015 campaign.

“At the second round of the supercross series I was running third in a heat race and made a mistake before the triple, I kind of half committed to it still and didn’t go off the up ramp very straight,” Crawford told MotoOnline.com.au. “I came up short and ended up breaking both the bones in the bottom of my leg, so that put me out for the rest of the season. I only just got back on the bike around two weeks ago after that injury.

Although his rookie season outdoors was quite strong, the Queenslander admits he did expect to achieve more during his first full-season in the class and will be aiming to better himself in 2016.

“Last year was my rookie year and I definitely wanted to do better than I did,” said Crawford. “I did get a couple of podiums and a race win, but I definitely learnt a lot. This year I’d like to say I’ll be 100 percent at the first round, and I believe that is achievable.

“I’ve only been back on the bike for two weeks, but I think the work I’ve been putting in prior to getting back on the bike will pay off, now I’m just getting bike fitness and set up on the bike.”

Crawford will enter the upcoming season with a new mindset, improved equipment and a goal to be a strong title contender throughout the complete 10-round schedule.

“I just believe my mindset is different this year and my equipment is going to be unbelievable,” he added. “So I feel that’s why I should be a strong contender from the first round, all the way through to round 10 – that’s my ultimate goal.”

Crawford will kick off his 2016 MX2 campaign at the season opening round of the MX Nationals series on 3 April in Victoria.