Image: Foremost Media.

The AUS-X Open Melbourne will only proceed in 2021 if it can safely invite international athletes into the country, with promoters engaging in further discussions with Tourism Victoria to seek out quarantine options and travel exemptions for overseas arrivals.

The prestigious event, which was brought to Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium for the first time in 2019, has continually attracted the biggest names in the sport from around the world, however the inability to do so could see it cancelled for the second year running as it navigates the Covid-19 pandemic.

With the event still in limbo, AUS-X Open co-founder Adam Bailey is hopeful it can reach an agreement with the Victorian government and proceed with the planning of the international supercross.

“We’re trying to work through it with Tourism Victoria at the moment in regards to the quarantining component,” Bailey explained MotoOnline.com.au. “That’s what we’re trying to work through to [see] what that would look like and whether we can bring in international athletes – that’s what it really hinges on.

“There will still be a five-round Australian Supercross Championship no matter what – but the AUS-X Open will really come down to the ability to bring in international athletes – visitation is what it really comes down to.

“We’re going to try work through our options to make that happen and we’re going through that process as we speak. That’s the goal, but if we can’t, we’ll move to an alternate Australian Supercross Championship round.”

It was revealed earlier this week that the 2021 Australian Supercross Championship will be formally announced next month, with confirmation of a five-round series that will feature free-to-air TV, a new promoter group, and a naming rights partner.