Will Chad Reed return to the Motocross of Nations in 2013?

Motorcycling Australia has announced that rider applications are now open for Australia’s 2013 Motocross of Nations team.

The team, once again to be managed by Gary Benn, will represent Australia at the iconic international event, to be contested at Teutschenthal in Germany on 29 September. Team positions will include MX1, MX2 and Open competitors.

Australia has a list of potential candidates in line for the 2013 running of the MXoN, including top internationals Chad Reed, Michael Byrne and Brett Metcalfe aboard 450s. Dean Ferris’ is Australia’s leading MX2 rider on an international level.

A number of vastly talented contenders are also currently competing domestically, including MX Nationals MX1 series leader Todd Waters and in-form multiple-time national champion Matt Moss, who are both 450 candidates.

Alongside Ferris, the other major candidate for the MX2 seat is Australian championship leader Luke Styke after winning five of the first six MX Nationals rounds.

Complicating the selection at this point is the fact that the Australian Supercross Championship will be underway during the same stages as the 2013 MXoN.

The team of Reed, Metcalfe and Moss raced to Australia’s first ever podium in 2011 at St Jean d’Angely in France, ranking as Team Australia’s best ever performance at the MXoN.

Last year, a youthful team of Waters, Lawson Bopping and Luke Styke finished an inspiring 10th overall on debut at Lommel, Belgium.

Stay tuned for more on this developing story over the coming weeks.