In a quiet off-season for motocross the news that Australian Dean Ferris had left (or in fact paid to get out of) a factory-backed deal to take a chance on a works KTM seat that might or might not still be confirmed was pretty sensational.

Ferris had impressed in 2013 for what was a last minute contract agreed with the Steve Dixon-run faction of the Monster Energy Yamaha team. At times the 23 year old would clearly show that he was one of the fastest in the MX2 category outside of Jeffrey Herlings’ spellbinding run of dominance. At other moments there were flashes of inexperience for what was essentially a first full Grand Prix term. Sixth in the world was not startling but neither was it disappointing. Dixon has blossomed a reputation for turning Yamaha’s YZ250F technology into some of the quickest machinery in the gate (certainly out of it) in the past few seasons and Ferris made the most of his final hurrah on the Cosworth-powered engines at the Motocross of Nations to push his name further into the limelight with that second position in the MX2 class and some lively launches from the line that had many checking to see who was on the black number ‘29’.

The old adage of being ‘as good as your last race’ seem to ring particularly true. Ferris signed the Yamaha deal for the brand new YZ450F in the refreshed ‘MXGP’ category, started testing but then allegedly had his head turned. At numerous times through 2013 Ferris referred to his MX2 year on the Yamaha as a stop-gap. He assured many people that his skills were better seen on a 450. It meant the U-turn to a supposed KTM 250SX-F berth was even more surprising.

On Friday at Bastogne, Belgium, 48 hours before his maiden Grand Prix victory, 24 hours before his battle in qualification with Herlings that would ultimately see the Dutchman crash and break his shoulder, I remember having a long chat with Dean and it was interesting to get his views on the changing landscape for motocross athletes and how earning a decent wage seemed harder outside a narrowing elite. I recall him having a clear and considerate perspective on his profession; acknowledging that riders now have to be more inventive to score anything near a worthy salary and how the time-old process of being well paid solely by teams is fast eroding.

While Ferris recognised his 2013 arrangement was last minute and the remuneration reflected the ‘outside chance’ nature of the deal there was still a distinct frustration that there wasn’t sufficient reward for the bones he was breaking (collarbone prior to round three) and effort he was putting in (arguably Yamaha’s standout racer). If Ferris is welcomed into the AMA division of Red Bull KTM in the next few days or coming weeks then his rapid transferral from Grand Prix where he seemed fairly content is understandable. KTM were victims of a similar swift turnaround by 2008 MX2 World Champion Tyla Rattray in the same year the South African won the title as a Pro Circuit Kawasaki lay in wait. The KTMs might be the fastest, or could be tricky bikes to ride, but the level of support offered by the Austrians is the true definition of a factory team. An orange saddle has always been coveted but now that level of desire is increasing. I think possible West Coast supercross racing is a major ‘deep end’ for Dean, especially with three team-mates likely to be hitting podiums and top steps but knowing the guy’s determination it is hard to imagine many other people hitting the task with similar gusto.

If the Ferris deal comes off then KTM should be applauded for keeping their international scope wide open when it comes to their motocross race teams and, like I said, the Aussie cannot be blamed for wanting to snatch a rare opportunity. Now it is down to Dixon, Yamaha or maybe somebody else in the GP paddock to prize another promising Antipodean, Matt Moss, onto the FIM MX World Championship stage.