Brett Metcalfe will focus on the US in 2013. Image: Simon Cudby.

South Australian Brett Metcalfe won’t be returning for the 2013 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, he confirmed to MotoOnline.com.au today.

Metcalfe had been linked to multiple teams in Australia during recent weeks, including the open seat at Motul Pirelli Suzuki alongside New Zealander Cody Cooper.

Last week, MotoOnline.com.au had reported that Matt Moss’ deal at Suzuki had gone stale, with many sources connecting Metcalfe to that role (click here for that post).

However the likeable 28-year-old has confirmed to MotoOnline.com.au this afternoon in California that he won’t be returning home this year, determined to make it back to a competitive seat in America.

“For me it’s a decision I’ve made and I need to chase something over here [in the US],” Metcalfe explained. “I definitely had some interest shown from Australia and I did think about it, but at this point in my career I still want to go after the nationals here and give it a good shot.”

Metcalfe finished second in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross series during 2010 and then claimed fourth in 2011, however injury forced him out of last year’s series.

That incident has so far seen him unable to secure a seat for 2013, recently back on the bike and back training in Southern California following a vacation to Australia at the beginning of the year.

“I don’t feel like I’ve reached my potential yet and I feel I could keep running up the front end of the field over here,” he added. “I want to progress, keep improving, and that’s really it.

“Getting another win would be the ultimate goal – I feel there’s unfinished business there. If it happens then cool, but if it doesn’t then at least I gave it a shot.”

While Metcalfe won’t be returning home in 2013, he isn’t ruling out the possibility of competing in Australia toward the end of his career, similar to the path of current Australian MX1 champion Josh Coppins before his retirement.

“If I chose to go back to Australia, if I do come back to race, I won’t be looking to come back to the US after that,” Metcalfe said. “I’ll just be focused there, but right now I don’t have that desire because I want to race here.

“Whether it’s in one, two or five years time, when I come back there I want to race kind of like what Coppins has done. I think he has done a really good job in finishing out his career there.

“I could see myself doing something like that, but until I have that desire to go over there and race, I won’t be heading back until then.”

Stay tuned for more on Metcalfe’s future and on who Motul Pirelli Suzuki selects for the final factory MX1 seat available in Australian motocross.