Image: Jeff Crow.

Husqvarna-backed Queensland privateer Nathan Crawford has confirmed he will transfer to the MX2 ranks full time in 2015 following his stunning wildcard win at Swan Hill on Sunday.

Crawford has been gaining strength in the MXD development category during his maiden MX Nationals season to date after a mixed start, claiming his lone round win at Murray Bridge before the mid-season break to move within eight points of the red plate.

But his talent and sheer speed have never been in doubt; factors that will see him regularly take on the professional field next season. His MX2 debut came at Wanneroo where he was sixth overall, before winning second time out at Swan Hill.

“I went out in the first moto and I got a decent start around seventh, so I just pushed as hard as I could in the first 15 minutes and picked a couple off,” he reflected. “Then a couple went down and I battled my way into second and ended up copping [Luke] Arbon’s roost by the last corner.

“So I knew that in the second moto if I got a good start I’d be able to do something with it. I ended up pulling the holeshot and I didn’t look back from there, I led from start to finish.”

A longtime favoured son of Yamaha’s development stable, the 16-year-old phenom surprisingly parted ways with the brand ahead of his MXD debut in the pre-season before finding a new home at Husqvarna aboard the TC 250 two-stroke. He said it was an “unbelievable” feeling to win in MX2 and has now vowed to take the challenge full time.

“It was crazy, it was amazing,” he beamed. “I went over the line and it was unbelievable, but it all went away too quickly. It’s gone now, so I’ll have to do it again. All the other rounds have MXD now, so that’s the last MX2 round for the year, but regardless I’ll be there next year.”

It’s unclear whether Crawford will continue in his current support role with Husqvarna or transfer to a factory team for his MX2 assault.