Leading Australian website, Motoonline have reported that Team New Zealand representative Nathan Crawford will not race the MXGP of China in September or the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations, in October, after picking up an injury racing in the Australian motocross championship.

“I knew something was wrong as soon as I got up," Crawford said. "Something felt off in my hand, and it turned out that my wrist was injured. We were at the pointy end of the championship, so the focus was just getting that race finished, which we did, so that was good. I got back from the race and got in to see Dr Steve Andrews on the Monday. Fortunately, between Steve and Racesafe, we were able to come up with a management plan to get me through QMP, and the whole crew executed that perfectly. We got through and managed to secure P3 in the championship, so thank you to everyone for making it happen for me. I’ve been in for surgery, and everything went well, now the focus shifts to making sure we’re ready for the first round of Australian Supercross.”

With some controversy after Crawford was picked for Team New Zealand, it is still unknown if their other local riders to be too excited to race for New Zealand at Matterley Basin, in the first week of October.