Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

Reigning Australian MX1 champion Dean Ferris is confident Team Australia will be able to challenge for a podium in the 2017 Monster Energy Motocross of Nations (MXoN), with the team announcement imminent from Motorcycling Australia (MA).

Ferris – eager to sign a deal in America for 2018 – has starred on multiple occasions for Australia at the iconic international event and is a favourite to lead the green and gold this year in the UK on 1 October after dominating the MX Nationals.

During his grand prix career Ferris won a moto in the MX2 division at Matterley Basin and has fond memories of the British circuit, which should suit the Australian contingent for this year’s running. If the cards fall Australia’s way, a first podium since Chad Reed, Brett Metcalfe and Matt Moss in 2011 is almost certainly within reach.

“I believe we’ve got a good chance of a podium this year,” Ferris told MotoOnline.com.au. “The track should suit us this year – it’s hard-pack, rutty and the conditions that we face quite often. I feel like some of the teams aren’t sending their strongest guys, but all things aside, we do have a strong selection of riders [to choose from].

“Always, we have to have two good motos in us and all got to get good starts. Obviously Hunter [Lawrence] is coming back to form, given that he gets the 250 ride, and from the selection of the 450 riders, we’re all in pretty good form and have been doing a lot of racing this year. I’d like to be optimistic and hope that we could get a podium.”

It’s believed CDR Yamaha’s Ferris will be first in line for the MXGP seat this year, with Team Suzuki MX2 World Championship regular Hunter Lawrence the primary pick for the 250 class. The Open seat will likely come down to KTM Motocross Racing Team’s Kirk Gibbs – who was selected last year before being sidelined through injury – and longtime international Brett Metcalfe.

Ferris was fourth in the Open class last year, with Team Australia cementing eighth overall for the weekend. His best performance came in 2013 when he finished runner-up in MX2 and the Australian team claimed fourth overall.