CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team has drafted in Nathan Crawford to replace the injured Dean Ferris aboard a YZ450F for the remainder of the Australian Supercross Championship.

Three-time Australian motocross champion Ferris suffered a horrific fall at Jimboomba’s opening round two weeks ago, ultimately ruling him out of the season.

Crawford, who’s been a member of the Serco Yamaha squad in the quarter-litre category this year, hasn’t raced since Wonthaggi’s MX Nationals double-header where he sustained a shoulder injury, and has only returned to riding in the past two weeks.

No stranger to the premier class, the popular Queenslander contested the SX1 division in 2017, completing his rookie campaign with a main event victory at Jimboomba.

“Within a week I went from not riding to suddenly racing supercross for the best team in Australia so it’s been a big week,” Crawford explained. “For Craig and Gavin to allow me to do this is great and I can’t thank either of them enough for making this happen. I have been on the sidelines since April, but I have kept up my training and been riding every day since I received my clearance just over a week ago.

“My first race won’t set the world on fire and there certainly isn’t any pressure from Craig, but I want to do well both for myself and everyone at Yamaha who have provided me with this opportunity. My shoulder feels good and I have missed racing, so I can’t wait to get back to the track, get some laps under my belt and wear the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy colours.”

CDR Yamaha team owner Craig Dack says Crawford was the most suitable option to replace Ferris, explaining he ticks all the boxes from both a riding capability and commercial standpoint.

“With Dean going down, our initial focus was to ensure he was ok and in the best possible care and now that has been done,” said Dack. “We have decided to keep both bikes on the track at the remaining rounds and Nathan was our best option to race alongside Dylan for the next four rounds.

“He ticks all the right boxes, not just for CDR, but Yamaha and our other sponsors to fill in for Dean and represent our team and partners professionally. Nathan is a Yamaha contracted rider, has raced a 450 successfully before in supercross and with thanks to Gavin Eales at Serco, he was happy to release him from any commitments he has with them so it’s a great working relationship we have within the Yamaha teams.”

The next stop on the Australian Supercross Championship calendar is scheduled for 6 October at Coolum in Queensland, marking round two of the series.