The call came from new KTM team boss Roger DeCoster and Mike Alessi simply had to answer.

Tonight’s penultimate round of the Monster Energy Australasian Super X Championship will be American rider Alessi’s final appearance on Australian soil for 2010 after being asked to return home by DeCoster this week.

Alessi has suffered a host of bad luck since the Super X season commenced at Newcastle in October, his best result coming at Canberra’s third round when he placed fifth aboard the JDR Motorex KTM 350 SX-F.

However, Sydney’s sixth round of the series to be held at Parramatta Stadium will mark Alessi’s final appearance of the year despite previously committing to the entire season.

“I have to go back – Roger’s calling me asking me to go back for Supercross testing since our season starts in January,” Alessi commented on Thursday, confirming he plans to race the full AMA season in 2011.

“That’s the main goal and that’s why I have to go back. With holidays, Christmas and New Years meaning we’ll lose a few days, I need to get back and get things rolling – it should be good.”

With the legendary DeCoster switching from Suzuki to spearhead KTM’s expanded AMA campaign for next year, Alessi says he’s excited to work with one of the sport’s greats once again after previously working with him at Suzuki in 2008 and 2009.

“I’m looking forward to working with Roger again, we’ll see what he’s got in store with the new bike and obviously the new team.”

The 22-year-old later commented in a KTM press release just how much he’s enjoyed Australia even though his results haven’t met expectations. He also confirmed he wants to come back next season.

“I’ve had a great time in Australia,” he said. “Everybody’s been really nice to us here and the tracks have been good, although obviously I wish I had better results.

“I’d definitely like to come back next year and put on a good show.”

Following the first five rounds of the series, Alessi currently sits eighth in the Open class point standings.

Younger brother Jeff Alessi will complete the season as planned with the CDR Rockstar Energy Yamaha team alongside fellow Yamaha rider Jay Marmont.

Another American, Kawasaki’s Josh Hansen, currently leads the series after the two New Zealand rounds – round four in Auckland and round five in Dunedin – and he will be favoured to continue his winning momentum at round six in Parramatta this weekend.

OPEN class top 10 championship standings

1.      Josh HANSEN – Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki: 275

2.      Jay MARMONT – CDR Rockstar Yamaha: 229

3.      Jake MOSS – Team Rockstar Motul Suzuki: 194

4.      Tye SIMMONDS – JDR Motorex KTM: 191

5.      Daniel REARDON – Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor Racing: 162

6.      Todd WATERS – Cougar Bourbon Thor Honda: 155

7.      Daniel McCOY – Coastal KTM Motorex Team: 148

8.      Mike ALESSI – JDR Motorex KTM: 127

9.      Justin BRAYTON – Muscle Milk / Toyota JGRMX: 121

10.    Lewis WOODS – Top Gear KTM: 112

LITES class top 10 championship standings

1.      P J LARSEN – JDR Motorex KTM: 252

2.      Matt MOSS – Team Rockstar Motul Suzuki: 248

3.      Ryan MARMONT – JDR Motorex KTM: 203

4.      Cody MACKIE – Kawasaki Racing Team Cool Air Conditioning:172

5.      Steven CLARKE – Raceline Pirelli Suzuki: 154

6.      Lawson BOPPING – Team Rockstar Motul Suzuki: 142

7.      Ford DALE – Serco Yamaha: 133

8.      Josh CACHIA – Coastal KTM MX Rad: 125

9.      Luke STYKE – GTYR Rockstar Yamaha:119

10.    Robbie MARSHALL – Yamaha: 117

© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com