Serco Yamaha’s Nathan Crawford will undergo immediate surgery on his right shoulder, ultimately sidelining him for the remainder of the Pirelli MX Nationals and crushing his hopes of earning the Australian MX2 title in 2018.

Crawford entered last weekend’s double-header stop in Wonthaggi with a healthy 23-point advantage and managed to increase that after recording second overall in Saturday’s edition, however his weekend – and season – unravelled in Sunday’s fourth round when the impact from a crash in race one consequently damaged his shoulder.

After finishing off the moto in sixth and lining for up race two – where his shoulder popped out a lap prior to his bike expiring – it prompted Crawford to visit specialists this week, where it was determined he’ll need surgery to repair the damage.

“I’m gutted,” Crawford expressed. “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% percent 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.”

The duration of Crawford’s recovery is anticipated to be three months, while Serco Yamaha hasn’t revealed any plans for a replacement rider in the second of the series, currently electing to run the sole entry of red-plate holder Wilson Todd.

It’s a bitter blow for the number 199, who in 2016 held the red-plate heading into the final round of the MX Nationals with a comfortable advantage behind him before a training incident resulted in internal injuries, denying him of the MX2 title.