Image: Foremost Media.

A second moto mishap for KTM Racing Team’s Nathan Crawford left the MX1 title contender feeling like he let an ‘overall get away’ after what was an impressive outing at Toowoomba, with his second overall result seeing him 16 points from the series leader entering the final round.

Steady progression throughout the Penrite ProMX Championship has seen the 28-year-old make his way into the premier category title picture, with the momentum growing for the Queensland-based rider during the latter stages of the season.

Showcasing front-running speed at the penultimate round in Toowoomba on Sunday, Crawford was left otherwise pleased with his development, although felt like a season-first overall win was on offer at the Echo Valley circuit.

“I felt solid from lap one in the mud this morning,” Crawford told MotoOnline. “The track was extremely technical, and I was competitive all day. I let the overall get away from me in the last race when I tipped over – we missed out on the win by one point.

“That last moto, I was in first, then I was in fourth, then I crashed and was in sixth. From there, I was able to get back into P2, and I think at one point I was taking three seconds per lap out of everyone who was in front of me, so, bittersweet really.”

With the MX1 title picture having changed substantially since the exit of Jed Beaton (Monster Energy CDR Yamaha) in between the sixth and seventh round, the intensity has been dialled up for the number 199, who is chasing his first professional championship.

“I had to go for it [today], with the championship on the line,” continued Crawford. “I lost one point [to Webster], which in hindsight isn’t too bad, with the mud and everything, but I could’ve made up some points.

“At the same time, you’ve got to take the good with the bad – I rode bloody unreal, and I think that was some of my best racing I’ve done in a long time, so I’ve got to take the positives. We’ve taken a big step forward, and one more chance to get this round win – I’m hungry for it.”

One round remains in this year’s Penrite ProMX championship, with Queensland Moto Park set for a showdown this weekend as this year’s title is decided.