Finishing P3 at Traralgon marked Nathan Crawford’s third MX1 podium of the 2025 Penrite ProMX season, but the Queenslander made a harsh assessment of his performance post-race, indicating that his recent string of results has led him to feel like he’s ‘failing’ after round four. But is that label actually unwarranted as he gives chase to Jed Beaton and Kyle Webster?

The question that was on everyone’s mind entering this year’s championship in the premier category was this – had any rider done enough over the summer to bridge the gap between themselves and defending champion Webster (Boost Mobile Honda Racing), as well as Monster Energy CDR Yamaha’s Jed Beaton, since last year’s dominant campaign?

The duo ended 2024 tied on points and were 81 markers ahead of third-placed Crawford (KTM Racing Team) as the series concluded at Queensland Moto Park last August. Given such, what needed to happen over the break and into 2025 was that the competition had to improve at a rate that was faster than Webster and Beaton’s progression, which was always going to be a tall order.

Image: Foremost Media.

Here’s why I say that, and mentioned so in the pre-season build-up: Webster, Beaton, and Brodie Connolly (Polyflor Honda Racing), among others, spend their days during the week training together, uncomfortably pushing each other to the limit in each and every single moto with the ambition of growing their skillset as riders.

That’s – at minimum – three of the fastest racers in the country currently, sharpening their tools daily. How does one exactly bridge the gap to this well-oiled machine that is the Ross Beaton-led Beaton’s Pro Formula program located in Southern Victoria? That’s what was meant by the aforementioned tall order.

Nevertheless, both riders Crawford and Luke Clout (Penrite Racing Empire Kawasaki) are also two of the finest riders in the country, and are mentally astute enough to want to prove the naysayers wrong and go out there and contend. And though there’s an A+ for effort, it just hasn’t materialised in season 2025 so far.

The front-running duo has claimed finishes first or second in all but one of the seven contested motos this year, with Webster’s Wonthaggi DNF while running P2 in race two the only blemish on their current wrap sheet. Not only have they done this, but the victory margins, in all honesty, haven’t been pretty.

This has been highlighted by a series of one-minute-plus deficits back to third place in a few races so far, with the most recent coming during Traralgon’s second outing, where Triumph-equipped privateer Zac Watson posted an ultra-impressive P3 performance. In the opening encounter, 49 seconds separated third-placed Maximus Purvis (Monster Energy CDR Yamaha) from the leaders, further indicating what sort of margins we’ve been witnessing to date over the first half of the series.

Image: Foremost Media.

Which brings us back to Crawford, and his honest admission following round four of the championship. Failing was the word, with a sense deflation in the air, after experiencing another Beaton and Webster masterclass. And this time, having Watson edge him for the moto podium – even if he maintained third overall – added salt into the wound.

“I feel a little deflated, honestly,” commented Crawford from the podium. “I’m putting everything into my weeks and I’m trying as hard as I can, but this to me right now is failing. It’s not from a lack of trying – we’re doing the best we can, but I’m definitely not satisfied at the moment.

“It’s not even about the gap between myself and the two guys up front. There are a handful of things I need to work on and hopefully we’ll sort it out soon.”

It’s an understandable position, although is it warranted? On one hand, yes, as Crawford is KTM Racing Team’s lead rider, who did give Beaton fits once upon a time in the past. On the other hand, returning to the previous point, how is it that such a powerhouse program in Ross Beaton and co. could be overhauled?

That’s the question, and one that many struggle to find an answer for. Further adding to the complexion is that the lead pair each ride for arguably the most invested teams in the paddock, with both the blue and red corners having exerted complete dominance over the rest of the field for several seasons now.

Image: Foremost Media.

One could hope for an implosion from within, however, interestingly enough, both Beaton and Webster seem as tight as ever, relationship-wise, even while scrapping tooth and nail during every single moto contested during this year. They’re respectful, leave their egos at the door, and understand that this level of dominance is a consequence of the work they’re doing together, and from there, may the best man win.

It’s a serious debacle, and one that doesn’t have a clear-cut solution. As referenced earlier, Crawford and company – he continues to train with the Queensland-based 00 Elite Rider Training operated by the ‘other’ Nathan Crawford, who himself is a former pro-level competitor – would need to progress at a rate higher than Beaton, Webster, and Connolly, who in turn are already the best motocross riders in the country.

That’s where, for Crawford, the question begs, is third place a genuine failure at this point? To someone who expects to be at the front, yes, however, but broken down into its individual pieces, the KTM pilot is effectively executing to the level that it could be expected at this stage of the season from a results standpoint.

The deficit could and probably should be reduced, however, third-place finishes are still commendable performances at this time. Beyond that, it has to be delivering on his promise to overcome the Webster/Beaton dominance, and rising to that occasion won’t be an easy feat for anybody in this current generation.