Australian Motocross pioneer Jeff Leisk is predicting a top five result for Team Australia at this year’s FIM Motocross of Nations, to be held at Teutschenthal in Germany on 29 September.

Motorcycling Australia yesterday confirmed that Brett Metcalfe, Dean Ferris and Todd Waters will represent the green and gold (click here for details) after Chad Reed opted to sit out the remainder of 2013 (click here for more).

Leisk, who has three grand prix victories to his credit and finished runner-up in the 1989 500cc Motocross World Championship, believes that the diverse trio of Metcalfe, Ferris and Waters will shine at the iconic event.

“They’re all deserving members of the team and I think this year it was probably a bit harder than usual to choose the final team,” Leisk commented. “Everybody in this team has a great attitude, they’re all hard workers and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a top five result to be quite honest.

“I think they could be darkhorses. Dean has proven he can run a very strong pace, Metty is obviously Canadian champion and also performed really strongly in American appearances, so he’s a proven commodity. He won’t be overawed by the situation.

“Todd has also already done the des Nations last year, so it’s his second time around and he knows what to expect and what’s ahead of him. Like I said, a top of overall would be no surprise for me.”

Waters currently rides for KTM Australia general manager Leisk’s revamped Motorex KTM effort, while Metcalfe rode for Leisk over a decade ago in 2001.

Leisk formed part of the 1988 MXoN team alongside Craig Dack and Glen Bell that finished fourth overall, which ranked as Australia’s best ever finish until the 2011 event.