South Australian Brett Metcalfe will lead Team Australia at the Motocross of Nations.

South Australian Brett Metcalfe believes that Team Australia could score a podium finish at this weekend’s Motocross of Nations event at Colorado’s Thunder Valley in the United States on Sunday.

The current American Lucal Oils AMA Pro Motocross Championship number two has been in career-best form during the 2010 outdoor nationals in the U.S, and recently told American magazine Racer X that it is possible for the underdog team to score a top three result.

This year’s Australian effort will consist of Metcalfe, Jay Marmont and Dean Ferris – the latter two being Australian domestic riders while Metcalfe has been based in the U.S. since 2003.

“I think we’re in with a decent shot to get a top three,” Metcalfe commented. “To pull off a win, there are some teams that are really strong and that’s going to be a longshot, but I think we’re in with a shot for an overall top three.

“In years past, with Byrner [Michael Byrne], me and Chad [Reed], we had been going for the win and it’s been backfiring and not working out. Maybe this approach is something that will move us forward and won’t backfire. We’ll see what happens.”

While Metcalfe will be a favourite for individual honours come Sunday, the determination and consistency of triple Australian Pro Open MX Nationals Champion Marmont will excel in the MXoN event.

As for MX2 team rider Ferris, contesting the final rounds of the FIM MX1 Motocross World Championship in recent weeks has him primed for yet another learning experience in what is regarded as the most prestigious event on the international motocross calendar.

Australia’s 2009 AMA Motocross Champion Chad Reed was originally selected for the team only to be ruled out with health problems, prompting Motorcycling Australia to confirm reserve rider Marmont as the replacement in his first MXoN appearance.