Popular Queenslander Nathan Crawford has used the extended break in the Pirelli MX Nationals to make up ‘lost time’ after injuries sustained last year denied him of a pre-season.

The Serco Yamaha ace, who was cleared to ride from a leg injury just weeks before the opening round, has been forced to play catch up in the opening half of the series, which saw him continually build form and fitness with a season-best result of fifth at Broadford’s third round with a P3 result in the opening moto.

The timely six-week break has instilled confidence into the MX2 contender for the remaining five rounds, where he’ll endeavour to climb the championship standings.

“Being off the bike for so long has so many effects on your racing, that you don’t even realise it at the time,” Crawford explained. “From the lack of fitness, to race hardened intensity, to simple things as missing out on valuable testing time to ensure everything is sorted.

“We have continued to work during the break to make up for the lost time and I feel a lot more confident approaching the second half of the series knowing that the back ground work has been done.”

Crawford is ranked fifth in the championship standings, 46 points behind third’s Jay Wilson (Yamalube Yamaha Racing). The MX Nationals returns to action this weekend at Gympie in Queensland.