KTM Racing Team’s Nathan Crawford made a statement ride at the Appin round of the 2023 Penrite ProMX Championship with a double-moto win in hot conditions.

After being penalised and docked all his points at Wonthaggi’s first round, Crawford qualified third, then grabbed the holeshot and never looked back as he controlled the opening moto with an 11.5-second lead over Terrafirma Honda Racing’s Wilson Todd.

Polyflor Honda Racing’s Brodie Connolly crossed the line in a distant third after some spirited battling with his team-mate early in the race.

Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s Jayce Cosford and KTM Racing Team’s Kayden Minear completed the top five positions.

Serco Yamaha’s Jese Dobson worked his way from outside the top 10 to finish sixth, ahead of Kaleb Barham (Husqvarna), Ryan Alexanderson (KTM), Reid Taylor (GasGas) and Rhys Budd (Serco Yamaha).

Crawford made it a perfect day with an impressive come-from-behind second-moto win as on-track temperatures soared past 38 degrees.

It was Rhys Budd who claimed the holeshot from Todd and Larwood, as Crawford found himself just inside the top 10.

The KTM Racing Team rider wasted no time dispatching of his rivals, hunting down Budd and race leader Todd and taking the lead by the halfway mark.

From there he marched to a seven-second win over Todd, and Budd, as Larwood and Connolly finished in the top five.

Barham, Liam Andrews (Honda), Minear, Brock Flynn (GasGas) and Hugh McKay (KTM) completed the top 10.

Todd leads the MX2 championship with 69 points, with Connolly second (52) and Crawford (50).

In the MX3 class, Honda’s Ky Woods (GasGas) won the round with a 1-3 moto scorecard, ahead of Liam Owens (Raceline Husqvarna Berry Sweet Racing), who finished fifth and second.

GasGas’s Byron Dennis (2-5) rounded out the podium.

KTM rider Connor Towill won the second moto and finished fifth overall behind Jack Mather (Raceline Husqvarna Berry Sweet Racing).

The next round of the Penrite ProMX Championship will be held at Wodonga, VIC on 16 April.

Detailed results