Australia’s Brett Metcalfe has spoken out about his plans to race the 2013 Canadian Monster Energy Motocross Nationals along with selected rounds of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

After being injured while practicing last year, Metcalfe was left without a ride when his Yoshimura Suzuki contract came to an end, forcing the veteran of the sport to look at alternative paths for the upcoming season.

Without any decent rides available within the US, Team Monster Energy Leading Edge Kawasaki came to the table with an offer to ride in Canada, and for Metcalfe it was decided that this was the best option.

“I looked at doing something on my own, but the costs of doing things outweighed what I could put together,” Metcalfe told PulpMX’s Steve Matthes. “I couldn’t justify going out and doing it on my own and nothing else came up.

“There were a couple of options to ride for free, and I just felt like I’ve paid my dues enough to not really want to ride for free. I know what’s at stake and it’s different for me now – I’ve got the family and I’m not going to go down that route.

“Leading Edge Kawasaki’s team manager Jason Hughes approached me, he came forward and it was cool to interact direct with the team manager. Everything got rolling from there and to be honest I think it’s probably one of the better moves for my career with the position I’m in right now.”

Metcalfe researched the Canadian team which took Matt Georke to a championship in 2012, and after all reports came back positive, the deal looked better and better.

“We looked around, I did a little background check on the team and everything I heard back was great and we didn’t hear any real issues with it,” he added. “I know that the Kawasaki is reliable and they haven’t had any issues with it, it seems like it’s a really good program and that’s what I was looking for.

“They have the engine technician out in Valencia and our suspension guy is out of Longbeach, so I have the two guys to work with right here and local with me. So that’s going to work out nice, my bike is maintained and everything is here (in California).

“I’ll stay here the whole summer then fly up there and just do the races. We’re trying to keep things as easy as possible and we still have the technical side right at my disposal – I think it’s a win-win for everybody and the team.”

Metcalfe plans to contest the Lake Elsinore round of the AMA motocross series, with the possibility of an additional appearance at the Hangtown season opener.

“I’m already locked in with the Elsinore national, I think that’s in my contract that they will support me – it’s only 10 minutes away from my home,” Metcalfe explained.

“At this point I would really like to ride Hangtown and if I feel like I’m healthy, my injuries are good and I feel like I’m ready to go, then Hangtown is on the cards – but that’s not locked in. That one will be a decision I’ve told everyone I’d like to make around 1 May.”

The 2013 2013 Canadian Monster Energy Motocross Nationals will kick off on Sunday 2 June at The Wasteland, Nanaimo, British Columbia.