Image: Foremost Media.

An opportunity to capture a maiden SX1 championship in this Saturday’s 2018 Australian Supercross Championship finals has Brett Metcalfe determined to deliver at the annual Monster Energy AUS-X Open Sydney.

Following an emotion-charged win in Port Adelaide’s penultimate round, South Australian international Metcalfe is now just six points behind Penrite Honda Racing teammate Justin Brayton entering the round five.

Metcalfe, 34, has vast experience in AMA Supercross following a decorated overseas career, however he’s currently in the form of his supercross career upon a full-time return to Australia aboard the CRF450R. Victory in Sydney would go a substantial way toward dethroning US import Brayton at the top of AUS Supercross’ premier class.

“I always wanted to come home and win an Australian motocross and supercross championship,” Metcalfe revealed. “This is as close as it has gotten, so I will lay it all on the line. It really is as close as it will get for both of us.

“We are both mature riders who have raced a lot together throughout the world, particularly in America and we have a great deal of respect for one another. We will both line up and try to win and we will see what happens.

“I think I am racing better than ever because of my experience. My preparation has evolved over the years and, of course, we would like to race without any injuries or adversities, but this can be unrealistic, so I feel that’s why I am riding as well as I am. I have learnt that it is rarely a perfect situation for racers and you need to make the best of the situation you are in.

“I want to win – we all do, that’s why we race – but I won’t let that define me. I will do my best for the team and my family and that’s what I teach my boys. As long as you give it your all and leave nothing on the table, you can hold your head high.”

With three final wins to his credit including the overall in Adelaide following a triple-final format, Metcalfe has been a picture of consistency upon return to supercross by recording runner-up round finishes behind Brayton at Jimboomba, Coolum and Geelong.