In the space of its first year, Joe Rascal has wasted little time making its presence felt across the world of motorsport. From the wide-open expanses of Australia’s desert racing scene to the international stage of the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup and the bright lights and unforgiving rhythm of Supercross, Joe Rascal has embraced a philosophy that has always sat at the heart of its name: push boundaries, take on the unknown and never shy away from a challenge.

At the centre of much of this expansion is Brett ‘Metty’ Metcalfe, Team Principal of Joe Rascal’s off-road programs. With a career shaped by years at the highest level of motocross and supercross, Metty brings a wealth of experience to a team determined to make its mark in new and unexpected places. His role has been instrumental in guiding Joe Rascal’s off-road ambitions, helping transform bold ideas into a racing program built on performance, persistence and a willingness to learn.

Earlier this year, that ambition took the team into the demanding world of Australian desert racing with Callum Norton. Armed with Ducati’s Desmo450 MX, Joe Rascal tackled both the legendary Finke Desert Race and the Hattah Desert Race, putting the Italian manufacturer’s motocross machine to the test across some of the country's most challenging terrain.

But for Joe Rascal, the desert was only the beginning. Now, the Desmo450 MX is entering an entirely different arena, trading the vast, open terrain of desert racing for the tight lines, towering whoops and high-pressure atmosphere of Australian Supercross. With riders Matt Moss and Dylan Wills on board, the team has taken on the 2026 AusX Supercross Championship, marking another milestone in Ducati’s developing presence in the discipline and in Joe Rascal’s evolution as a multifaceted racing outfit.

The campaign opened in Townsville, Queensland. Under the stadium lights, the team faced the unique demands of Supercross, where split-second decisions, technical precision and the smallest margins can make all the difference.

Following the Townsville round, I sat down with Metty to reflect on the team's first outing, the challenges of bringing the Desmo450 MX into Supercross, and what it takes to build a competitive program from the ground up. From the realities of developing a new race package to managing the demands placed on riders and crew, the conversation offered a closer look at the work unfolding behind the scenes.

 

CT: What was the training and preparation like with the team in the lead-up to Townsville, and what did those weeks look like for both the riders and crew as you prepared for the first AUSX round?

BM: During pre-season testing and training, both riders felt major improvements to the bike, resulting in confidence and improved track speed. Test sessions were scheduled every 2 weeks to allow time to adapt and learn what the bike needed to make the next step.

CT: Townsville was the first round of AUSX and the first time Joe Rascal and Ducati have taken the Desmo450 MX into this championship. What was the feeling within the team heading into the weekend?

BM: I was mostly curious to see how we stacked up on a racetrack with competitors. There were definitely some nerves, but once the bikes hit the track it was evident we had made some good headway as both riders were feeling comfortable.

CT: Having raced Motocross and Supercross at the highest level yourself, how different was it approaching this weekend as Team Principal, and how much did your own experience help with the team's preparation?

BM: Once the helmet goes on and bikes are on track, its fully in the control of the rider at that moment. As team principal, the biggest impact we can make for our riders is getting the bike set up right, making the correct tyre selection, advising optimal line's from changing conditions and making sure our riders feel comfortable and focused before track time.

CT: How different was managing the Supercross program compared to running the Joe Rascal desert program? Were there any aspects of the Supercross weekend that required a completely different approach?

BM: The approach as a rider is always similar, with a high requirement for focus and commitment. The actual function of the events and bike set ups are the absolute furthest from one another. In Supercross, things like line selection, ability to adjust the bike, mental and emotional coaching, information sharing throughout the day are all things specific to Supercross. These things all effect track performance.

CT: Dylan's weekend got off to a difficult start in practice after a collision with another rider into Turn 1 which caused a major crash and damaged the bike. What happened from your perspective, and how did the team respond?

BM: It was a slight racing incident, a rider in front of Dylan took his practice start, braked hard and cut across to the inside, not thinking of the riders coming behind him. Unfortunately, that rider was Dylan. He tried hard to avoid the situation, but didn't have room entering the turn, and the closing speed was too much, causing the collision. The throttle tube was broken, bent handlebars, grip and twisted front end. It was a disastrous way to start the day for Dylan and for the team’s progress. 

CT: How do you approach getting a rider back into the right mindset after a big practice crash when there is still a full weekend of racing ahead?

BM: Firstly, the riders health needs to be stable. Dylan sustained no injury which was first protocol. From there, the mindset of "why me " needed be heard, understood and then changed, with a plan of how we proceed under a clear conscience. Taking ownership of your part for me is always a critical part in any crash / accident.

CT: Dylan then had another heavy crash in qualifying on Lap 3 after losing control through the whoops while pushing for a fast lap. What did you see happen, and how did that affect the rest of his weekend?

BM: The qualifying crash was a stark reminder of just how unforgiving Supercross can be, where the smallest miscalculation can have significant consequences. Dylan misjudged his front-wheel placement through the whoops by just 20–30 millimetres, causing the wheel to skip across the top of the section and pitching him forward into a violent end-over-end tumble.

CT: Dylan also injured his wrist in that crash. What is the process now for assessing his injury, and how important is that evaluation before looking ahead to New Zealand?

BM: He landed really hard on an outstretched hand. This resulted in swelling and limited movement. He's been evaluated, the doctor has stated we will be in good position for Auckland in 3 weeks time.

CT: Matt had a very strong start to the weekend in practice, finishing third with lap times right up with the leaders. What were you seeing from Matt and the bike in that opening session?

BM: Matt, meanwhile, approached the track with a palpable sense of confidence. Having thoroughly enjoyed the Desmo450 MX throughout testing and training, he arrived with a strong connection to the bike, something that was immediately evident once he hit the track. His positioning, composure and willingness to attack from the outset reflected a rider who was comfortable with what was beneath him and feeling increasingly positive about the package.

CT: In qualifying, Matt again finished sixth, but track traction was making it difficult for him to push as hard as he wanted. What were the conditions like, and how much did that influence his qualifying result?

BM: By qualifying, the pace across the field had lifted another level, with several competitors finding more speed than we were able to extract. Despite that, I was satisfied with the performance of both the rider and the bike. Our main challenge was finding the right level of traction on corner entry, particularly at that critical point where the bike transitions into the turn. The track conditions were evolving rapidly, changing considerably in a short space of time and making it difficult to find consistency. Rather than chase a faster lap time at the expense of stability, we made the conscious decision to stay measured, focus on maintaining a consistent rhythm and build from there.

CT: Matt then put together a really strong Heat 1, starting in P2 and running consistent lap times before an error in Turn 6 stalled the bike and dropped him to third. How did you assess that performance?

BM: Matt’s heat race offered an encouraging indication that we were moving in the right direction with the bike’s setup. With heat races demanding an almost immediate commitment to pace, where speed, confidence and comfort are paramount, it was a valuable opportunity to see the package perform under genuine race conditions. Matt held second position through the opening stages, demonstrating the pace to run at the front before a small mistake saw him stall the bike and drop back to third, where he ultimately finished. While the error cost him a position, the bigger takeaway was the confidence he showed throughout the race. Seeing him circulate comfortably and maintain a competitive pace under pressure was reassuring, reinforcing the progress made throughout the weekend and providing a solid foundation to build on.

CT: What did you learn from that heat that led to the changes you made to the bike ahead of Super Pole?

BM: His comments after the heat race led to some small adjustments going into super pole. Rear tyre traction was something he wanted to explore, especially as the night went on and track surface offered less grip. We also softened his rear shock to help increase traction.

CT: You made some changes to increase traction and drive, and Matt went fourth-fastest in Super Pole out of the six riders. How happy were you with the changes and his lap?

BM: Superpole provided a valuable opportunity to put the latest setup changes to the test before the intensity of night racing began. While the session plays an important role in determining gate position, there is less pressure to extract an absolute maximum, with a top-six position guaranteed regardless. For us, it was another chance to refine the package and gauge the progress being made. Matt secured fourth, a positive result that further reinforced our confidence in the direction we were heading. His lap wasn’t entirely clean, with a slight case in one section costing him valuable time, but even with that small setback, he demonstrated encouraging pace. More importantly, the session offered further confirmation that the adjustments we had been making were working, with both rider and bike continuing to move in the right direction ahead of the main event.

CT: Going into Race 1, Matt got another great start and was inside the top three through Turn 1. What happened as he exited the corner when he lost rear grip and went down?

BM: Matt made an encouraging start to Main Event 1, getting the jump on the riders alongside him and positioning himself well heading into the first turn. He held a tight line through the corner, putting himself in a strong position to emerge alongside the leading pack and challenge for the front. However, midway through the turn, Matt made an aggressive attempt to get on the power early while the bike was still leaned over. The rear tyre lost traction, stepping out beneath him and disrupting what had been a promising opening. In speaking with Matt afterwards, it became clear that he had been intent on maximising the opportunity, applying the power early in an effort to drive out of the corner ahead of the field. It was an ambitious move that, unfortunately, came at the expense of rear-end grip, a fine margin between making up positions and losing momentum in the intensity of Supercross racing.

CT: Matt injured his shoulder in that crash and was ruled out for the remainder of the racing for the weekend. What was the immediate priority for the team once you realised he was injured?

BM: When Mossy doesn’t get back up and keep going, you know something isn’t right. For a rider as experienced and determined as Matt, seeing him attempt to continue before it became clear he simply couldn’t was a difficult moment for the entire team. As we watched him make his way off the track, there was an immediate sense that his race was over, and with it, the opportunity to see what we had been building towards all weekend come together. It was heartbreaking, particularly given the progress Matt had shown and the promise he had carried into the night. But in that moment, the result was the last thing on our minds. Our focus shifted entirely to Matt’s health and wellbeing. We moved quickly to reach him, assess the situation and understand the extent of the injury and what it might mean for his recovery. In racing, you invest so much into preparing the bike, developing the setup and giving your riders every opportunity to succeed, but none of that matters more than the person beneath the helmet.

CT: Given how strong Matt had looked throughout practice, qualifying, the heat and Super Pole, how frustrating was it to see his race end that way?

BM: It was frustrating to end our day like that. The team and Matt have worked really hard to get to that stage and I felt he was in a good position to fight for top 3. I just felt bad for him and also Dylan. Small mistakes in this sport are very costly, we suffered 2 of those moments in one day which was tough for the team.

CT: Looking at Dylan and Matt's weekends as a whole, what do you think went right for the team, despite both riders ultimately suffering injuries?

BM: We know the set up for racing is close. We learnt a lot about tyre selection. Our bike got good starts in both the heat and main, we won the friday night holeshot challenge. This is a major key for us if we wish to challenge for wins. Both riders looked good on track. They had good feeling and best of all a good attitude towards everything.

CT: What do you think went wrong, and what are the biggest lessons you're taking away from Townsville?

BM: Every new beginning comes with its challenges. With new riders, a new crew and a new bike, developing a reliable baseline setup takes time. I think our biggest challenge was that the riders were pushing hard to deliver results, which led them to push beyond what the track was allowing and ultimately caught us out. Round 1 didn’t go to plan, but we’ve taken away valuable lessons and a much clearer understanding of how we need to approach the racing heading into Round 2.

CT: With a few weeks before New Zealand at the end of the month, what are the biggest areas you want the team to work on between now and then?

BM: Building strong connections is incredibly important to me, and I believe strengthening the bond between our riders, mechanics and the wider team is a crucial part of achieving success. After a tough day at the track, it’s more important than ever that we lean on each other, regroup and move forward together. I’ve always taken pride in creating a positive, supportive team environment, and my focus now is on bringing everyone together, building on what we’ve learned and ensuring we come back stronger as a group for Round 2.

CT: Finally, what are you hoping Joe Rascal Racing can achieve in New Zealand, and what would make you feel that we've taken a big step forward from Townsville?

BM: It’s important that we all maintain a realistic perspective and stay focused on the task at hand. There can be no rushing the process or pushing beyond what we’re ready for. We need to trust our team, believe in our approach and work methodically, because our margin for error is small and execution will be critical. With the four-round Australian Supercross Championship kicking off in Auckland, everyone starts on zero points, and every race will count. Our priority for Round 1 is simple: ride smart, finish every race and build a solid foundation to carry into the rest of the championship.

 

With Auckland just three weeks away, Joe Rascal now turns its attention to Round 2 of the Australian Supercross Championship. With valuable lessons from Townsville and a clearer understanding of what the Desmo450 MX needs to be competitive, the team will be looking to carry that progress into New Zealand and deliver a cleaner, more consistent weekend. For Metty and the crew, the focus is on getting the details right and giving the team the best possible chance to move forward.