Image: Simon Cudby.

Motorcycling Australia (MA) has moved to clarify Brett Metcalfe’s absence from Team Australia following the surprise announcement that Matt Moss will partner Chad Reed and Dean Ferris in Latvia next month.

It’s been well-documented that Australia was slated to field the all-star international line up of Reed (MX1) and Ferris (MX2) with Metcalfe, who last weekend clinched fourth in the American Pro Motocross championship.

However Metcalfe has made the late decision to withdraw from the team due to undisclosed reasons, prompting MA to draft in current Australian Motocross Champion Moss – who is on target to defend his crown at Coolum’s MX Nationals finals this Sunday.

“Brett Metcalfe chose to withdraw his nomination to compete at the MXoN this year due to other issues he needs to attend to around the time of the 2014 MXoN,” a statement released by MA via social media read.

“MA were naturally very disappointed about the news but respect his call and hope he is in contention to represent us in the future!”

A renowned workhorse of motocross and longtime representative of Team Australia, Metcalfe was partnered with Reed and Moss in 2011, when Australia claimed its lone overall podium in the prestigious international event.