Australia has asserted itself as one of the leading countries in the world when it comes to Motocross, exporting legendary riders to both America and Europe.

With a new wave of talent on the horizon and big ambitions to cut it internationally, MotoOnline.com.au looks at just some of the standout factors in our success on the world stage.

Team Australia celebrates its lone MXoN podium in 2011 thanks to Chad Reed, Brett Metcalfe and Matt Moss.

Who put Australia on the map? Jeff Leisk

Before the likes of Chad Reed, Michael Byrne, Andrew McFarlane and Brett Metcalfe broke onto the world scene, Jeff Leisk rated as our best ever overseas. While we have had many great success stories in the past, Leisk’s achievement of finishing second in the 1989 500cc World Motocross Championship is one of the most memorable. Before that he’d achieved wins and podiums in the US, establishing himself as a pioneer of the sport for Australians aiming to compete overseas.

When was our best ever MXoN result? 2011

Team Australia created history in 2011, claiming third at the FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) in St Jean d’Angely, France. The team of Chad Reed, Brett Metcalfe and Matt Moss starred in a spectacular event, completing the top three alongside Team USA and France. Before that, it was Leisk, Craig Dack and Glen Bell’s fourth overall way back in 1988.

Will we see another GP in Australia? Yes

Broadford played host to the FIM Motocross World Championship in 2000 and 2001, a pair of events in which we saw McFarlane, Byrne and Reed star respectively. Now, over a decade later, it’s almost a certainty that Australia will again host a GP during the next few years – potentially again in Victoria.

Chad Reed in action earlier this year during American Supercross. Image: Simon Cudby.

Why is it so hard to transfer overseas? Many factors!

When it comes to America, the sheer speed over there is something that Aussies have to raise to more often than not. As for Europe, the language barrier and way of life makes it a massive task for any up and coming Australian. There are a heap of compromises you have to be willing to make as an Aussie heading off for an international career, and unless you’re at the top of your game, you’ll be back here before you can even really get settled.

What rider is Australia’s GOAT? Chad Reed

No doubt Reed is our ‘greatest of all time’, enjoying an international career that kicked off full time in 2001 when he and now wife Ellie headed off to Europe. By 2002 after he finished second in the MX1 world title, Reed was winning titles in the US as a rookie and hasn’t looked back since. He has AMA SX and MX titles to his credit, world SX titles, and MXoN moto wins, not to mention the fact that he owns his very own US-based team with factory Honda support at TwoTwo Motorsports. Not only is he Australia’s best, he’s recognised as one of the greatest in the sport’s history.