Crawford naik podium MX2 untuk KTM di Maitland

In what were challenging conditions at Round 4 of the 2023 Australian ProMX Championship, KTM Racing Team’s Nathan Crawford continued his MX2 title charge with a strong third overall, as MX1 class challenger Kirk Gibbs posted three consistent results to secure fifth overall.

Qualifying fourth during Saturday’s session, Crawford began Sunday’s racing with a dominant race victory in the opening MX2 moto, establishing a margin of 13.562s over his championship rivals as the chequered flag flew. A midday downpour added a layer of complexity to the second MX2 moto, with Crawford going down in the opening stages of the race, before a spirited charge saw him climb to P5 and secure third overall for the day.

Western Australian rookie Kayden Minear experienced a difficult day aboard his KTM 250 SX-F as he found himself buried in the pack in both MX2 races, with the KTM Racing Team rider notching 11th overall in the tough conditions and retaining fifth place in the MX2 class standings after four rounds.

Experiencing a three-moto format across Saturday and Sunday, the MX1 category were put the test as they braved the elements from mother nature, with riders facing an array of conditions throughout the weekend. Despite the hurdles, KTM Racing Team’s former champion Gibbs posted three consistent moto results, which earned the South Australian fifth place by event’s end.

The 2023 Australian ProMX Championship now heads to Gilman, South Australia, for round five of the series on May 28.

Kirk Gibbs: “A bit of a tough weekend for me here in Maitland, struggled to get comfortable on the track here, so not my greatest weekend. I did manage to get great starts and the last moto I was in the fight, which is promising. I’m focused on the positives, headed to South Australia for the next round, which is always good vibes, get back to work between then and now, and come out strong for the last four rounds.”

Nathan Crawford: “1-5 moto scores here in Maitland for third overall, which is solid! I felt good on the bike all weekend and just had a small crash at the start of moto two, which put me pretty much dead last. Fought hard to get back into fifth which was a good charge, and happy to be on the overall podium, which is good for the team.”

Kayden Minear: “Hard day here at Maitland, struggled with my starts all day, and just lacked a bit of intensity at the start of the motos. Late in the race I was good, fitness is good, so full focus on Gilman now and stoked to see a bit of sand on the calendar.”

2023 Australian ProMX Championship – Maitland, NSW

MX1 round four results:
1. Dean Ferris (Yamaha) 75
2. Luke Clout (Yamaha) 66
3. Aaron Tanti (Yamaha) 60
4. Jed Beaton (Honda) 49
5. Kirk Gibbs (KTM Racing Team) 46

MX1 championship standings:
1. Dean Ferris (Yamaha) 145
2. Jed Beaton (Honda) 136
3. Aaron Tanti (Yamaha) 119
4. Kirk Gibbs (KTM Racing Team) 119
5. Luke Clout (Yamaha) 114

MX2 round four results:
1. Rhys Budd (Yamaha) 42
2. Wilson Todd (Honda) 42
3. Nathan Crawford (KTM Racing Team) 41
4. Jesse Dobson (Yamaha) 37
5. Noah Fergusson (GasGas) 33
11. Kayden Minear (KTM Racing Team) 22

MX2 championship standings:
1. Wilson Todd (Honda) 147
2. Brodie Connolly (Honda) 120
3. Nathan Crawford (KTM Racing Team) 116
4. Rhys Budd (Yamaha) 108
5. Kayden Minear (KTM Racing Team) 107