It’s official, Australian Brett Metcalfe will race for Suzuki next season.

Hot from helping his country to finish sixth at the 64th annual Motocross of Nations in Denver, Colorado, just over a week ago, Metcalfe has revealed his plans to jump ship for 2011.

For the 2011 season of both AMA supercross and motocross, Metcalfe, formerly a member of Geico Powersports Honda, will be joining the Rockstar Makita Suzuki squad.

Metcalfe had a strong finish in the 2010 AMA Pro Motocross Championship, finishing as high as second-place in the final race of the season at Pala Raceway. The 26-year-old Australian finished second overall behind 2010 Motocross champ, Ryan Dungey, who will now be Metcalfe’s team-mate in 2011.

“I’m really excited to be joining the team,” Metcalfe said. “There’s no doubt that the RM-Z450 is a race-winning machine, and I can’t wait to start testing. I think the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team will be a good place for me to really focus on putting together a solid 2011. I’m looking forward to working with Mike, Ricky, and Ryan, and I’m ready to start racing.”

New additions to the Suzuki team also include off-road racing legend Mike Webb and the legendary Ricky Carmichael.

For almost 30 years Webb has aided Suzuki in racking up a staggering amount of championship wins and has been team manager for the GNCC bike series since 1992. Webb will now transition to being head of the Suzuki team where he will replace Roger DeCoster. Webb has also enlisted the help of Carmichael as team advisor.

“I’m really excited for this opportunity to help defend the AMA Supercross and Motocross titles that Ryan Dungey so masterfully won this year,” Webb said. “I’m thrilled to be working with the team and Yoshimura, as we’re all fully committed to keeping that No.1 plate on the RM-Z450. I think 2011 is going to be a great season for us, for Suzuki, and for the RM-Z450.”

Carmichael will be assisting the team next year by prepping the Suzuki racers and giving advice on bike set-up, race strategy and general training approaches.

On a further note, Webb added: “Ricky is an undisputable champion. I can’t think of a better guy to help the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team to another winning season and I know the racers will all benefit from having him on our side.”

© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com

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