Serco Yamaha’s Nathan Crawford has been dealt a devastating blow by doctors as he was informed he has damaged his right shoulder and requires surgery, forcing him to withdraw from the MX Nationals.
Crawford, who had been in great form in the early stages of the season and carrying the MX2 leaders red plate into the Wonthaggi rounds, fell in the early stages of race one at round four of the MX Nationals, with his shoulder taking the brunt of the impact.
Nathan got to his feet and was about to remount his bike but the pain in his shoulder slowed his progress and he tried to manipulate it back into place. He then remounted and finished the race in sixth place in a pain defying effort.
Race two, whilst in second place, his shoulder again popped. This time he managed to get it back in again but the damage was done.
Since the weekend he has consulted with specialist doctors and surgeons who, after viewing scans, have informed him that the joint is loose and requires surgery to make a full recovery. Crawford is due in for surgery immediately and recovery is expected to be three months, meaning he will miss the final six rounds of the MX Nationals.
“I’m gutted!” said the emotional Queenslander. “The team and I had put in so much work this season and I was feeling awesome on the bike and working with the Serco Yamaha team.
“The doctor said I could continue to ride but I would only do more damage and the risk of my shoulder continually popping out was a serious problem. I have no alternative but to get it fixed and get back in time for the supercross season.
“Injuries are a part of our sport and I feel terrible now but I’m going to be back and I will be fitter and stronger than I am now and be 100% healthy for the supercross season.
“Thank you to Serco Yamaha and all our team sponsors who understand this decision and I will be back to repay the faith as soon as my shoulder allows me,” Crawford ends.
Feeling the pain of his star rider, Gavin Eales expresses the disappointment of having one of riders on the side lines.
“Motocross is a cruel sport sometimes and as a team, we wish Nathan a quick recovery and hope to see him back on the bike as soon as possible.
“He consulted with us regarding his options and we all felt surgery was the right way to go as he is still a young man and needs to look after himself for a long and successful career. He will still play a role with the team during motocross, but we won’t see him back until the supercross season,” Eales said.
It will be left to Wilson Todd to fly the Serco Yamaha flag for the remainder of the MX Nationals season. Round five action takes place this weekend at Murray Bridge in South Australia.