Australian Brett Metcalfe continued his learning curve at last weekend’s Phoenix round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship.

Metcalfe started out the night with a seventh-place finish in his heat race and then after an 11th place start in the main event, the Rockstar Makita Suzuki rookie worked his way up to eighth despite a minor fall during the race.

“I went into the heat race and got a bad start, but I was feeling pretty good and put in some good laps on my Suzuki,” said the South Australian.

“But then I missed a triple, lost my rhythm, ended up falling and got tight. So that was disappointing.

“My Rockstar Makita Suzuki team was able to make some changes to the bike that really helped me in the main. I didn’t get a good start, but I was able to ride much more solid and my Suzuki was working really well.

“I’m happy with another eighth place and we’ll continue to make little improvements and get better as we go along. I’m really looking forward to next week at Dodger Stadium – I think it’s going to be a real exciting venue.”

Metcalfe now sits sixth in what is his maiden season in the 450 ranks for 2011.