Image: Octopi Media.

Team Australia has officially elected to sit out the 2021 Motocross of Nations (MXoN), Motorcycling Australia (MA) confirmed today.

The decision comes as a result of the ongoing covid-19 pandemic, which will see the 74th edition of MXoN set for Italy this month largely impacted.

“With border restrictions, stringent international travel restrictions which require special exemptions, vaccine and quarantine requirements in Italy and Australia, vaccine passports as well as contractual commitments of candidates and their teams, it is not possible to send a team,” an MA statement read.

“With constant covid-19 legislative changes both here in Australia and Europe it is not feasible, to have an Australian team participate.

“It’s disappointing as this is an event the Australian motocross fans and industry look forward to and we believed we could have fielded a very strong team this year, however, the global pandemic has made the mission to send a team impossible.”

It was already revealed that both US-based Lawrence brothers were unable to attend the event, eluding to visa issues creating complications, plus GP front-runner Jed Beaton was understood to be sidelined.