Image: Foremost Media.

KTM Racing Team has confirmed that SX1 contender Nathan Crawford will miss the remainder of this year’s Boost Mobile AUSX Supercross Championship, the Queenslander now shifting focus to 2026.

A practice crash in the pre-season had the 28-year-old sidelined for the first three rounds, with the expectation he would return for the high-profile AUSX Open international event inside Marvel Stadium this Saturday.

With the number three 450 SX-F absent altogether in Melbourne, the team has revealed that a challenging pre-season will keep him from contesting the remaining supercrosses.

“The goal was to definitely have Nathan come back here for what is the marquee event on the calendar,” commented KTM Group Australia motorsport manager Kyle Blunden. “Unfortunately, the pre-season hasn’t gone well – things haven’t gone to plan – so we have since shifted the focus to 2026 as his supercross season is over.”

Crawford’s transition to the 450 in supercross has been trying, with the current ProMX MX1 number two claiming 14th overall in 2024 after a wrist injury sidelined him for the opening two rounds.

Though an official announcement is yet to be made, it’s expected that Crawford will remain with the KTM Racing Team next year for what will be a fifth term.