It's not very often you see a rider leave the prestigious Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki Lites Team on their own accord, but that's just what Australian Brett Metcalfe did. 

Sometimes a rider simply needs a change of pace. And certainly the team that he has joined - the Factory Connection Geico Honda squad - is a highly competitive team.

Switching teams is not the only new thing the 24-year old has going for him, as he has just become engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Sheena. 

As a frequent podium fixture the past few seasons, I expect big things from Metty in 2009 - including a championship!

Brett; before we get too much into motocross, congratulations on your engagement to your  Sheena.

Thank you Jim; yes, Sheena and I got engaged a few weeks ago.  She has been such a great attribute to my life in general, as well as my racing career.  It's nice to have someone who really understands, and can support you through the highs and lows of racing.

So Sheena plays a pretty big role in your racing?

Definitely; especially with moral support!  She also frequently comes to the practice track and runs the pit board/lap times for my motos.  The best part though is the relationship that we have away from motocross; that's the balance - the ying and the yang.

Now let's move to racing, and why you switched over to the Factory Connection Geico Honda Team from the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki team.

Well, I wanted to save money on my car insurance (laughing); also I believe in following your heart's decision.  Factory Connection is a great team and one of the best there is!

Share your thoughts on your last race for Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki - the 2008 MXON.

I really had an awesome time there; I felt that I rode well.  Qualifying second on Saturday was cool, but my results on Sunday were pretty dismal for how I felt that I was actually riding.  The first moto I was in about fifth off the start, but then got caught in a big pile up on the first lap.  I then remounted about mid-pack, but stalled my bike and crashed again!  After that I was about 35th, but later charged up to 17th.  I again got a pretty decent start in moto two, and got up to fifth - until (Great Britain's Tommy) Searle passed me at about the halfway point.  Then I picked up on some of the better lines that he was using, and dropped my lap times down.  I actually started closing in on him late in the moto, but was not quite fast enough with only a few laps remaining.  I tried to push a little harder for it, but my front end washed out, and I went down with a lap and a half to go - dropped back to eleventh and that's where I finished.  Overall I had a great time there, but from a results standpoint it was a bummer.

You may get asked this question a lot Brett, but do you routinely hang out with the other Australian riders like Chad Reed, Michael Byrne, Andrew McFarlane, and Dan Reardon that race in America?

I do get asked that question a lot Jim!  We did all grow up as Aussies, but from different parts of the country.  I wasn't really familiar with any of the guys, but I did know Chad well through racing.  Moving over here I really haven't spent much time with any of them - I do my thing and they do theirs.   But we do always say "g'day" to each other, and do hang out if the opportunity arises.  Riding on a team as I have, it allows you to practice a lot, and meet new teammate's which is cool.

Brett, this may be a difficult question, but I can recall back when you were the only rider racing a 125cc two stroke in a field of four strokes; did that make you a stronger rider?

That's a tough question Jim; at the time I definitely did not think that riding a 125 was making me a stronger rider!  I can still remember finishing outside the top 20 in both motos, not even qualifying for a national, and not enjoying racing that much!  That was back in 2004 and 2005; it really beat me down mentally; knowing that I was better than that.  My 2003 season went great; then all of a sudden I was way off the mark - the new four strokes were that much better.  But I raced hard every second of every race that I entered and never quit.  I was proud of that, and I definitely gained more fans and respect from what I did.  I still carry those early days with me today; I went through a tougher path than most - but it led me to where I am today.

Finishing things up; you've been so close to a championship - what will it take for Brett Metcalfe to take a title in 2009?

Well, I will be bringing the same things that I always bring to each race, but with a little better preparation, a little faster, a little stronger, and hungrier.  Other than that I honestly don't know anymore - but I'll tell you soon!