Two-time Australian motocross champion Dean Ferris says Brett Metcalfe’s (Penrite Honda Racing) emergence in the final moto at Conondale’s Pirelli MX Nationals at the weekend caught him off guard.

The CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team rider worked his way into the lead and managed to bridge a comfortable gap in the 15-lap affair, however a final charge from Metcalfe, who rebounded from an early fall, came as a surprise to Ferris in the final stages that ultimately saw the pair finish with just 1.058s between them.

“Once I got Kade, I knew I was pulling away and saw plus three on the pitboard,” Ferris explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “I kind of had a bad lap and got caught up with lappers, and I happened to look over my shoulder to check out how it was all going, and yeah, it was Metcalfe there.

“I didn’t really expect it and there was two and a half laps to go – I put my head down and tried to up the ante – he kept me honest the whole way.”

It marked somewhat of a return to form for South Australian Metcalfe, who made a ‘calculated gamble’ on bike set-up that proved be a fruitful setting, as he lodged the fastest time of the race on the penultimate lap.

“That second moto was a gamble – a calculated gamble,” Metcalfe commented. “Tt could’ve gone either way, but that’s the best I’ve felt racing here in Australia in the last couple of seasons. It’s massive positive and relief to finally ride where my ability can take me.”

Ferris holds down a healthy 95-point advantage in the championship rankings, while a number of DNFs have forced Metcalfe out of title contention as he currently sits ninth in the standings.