Motocross: The season opening race of the 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship takes place this weekend at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California.
Tyler Hopper
Allaboutbikes Staff-Writer
The season opening race of the 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship takes place this weekend at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California. This season opener marks a different era in American Motocross, managed by MX Sports Pro Racing and their partners in The Alliance of Action Sports. A change to Saturday races and the newly named 450 and 250 classes, as well as increased press coverage are just a few of the changes made by the new management.
The 450 and 250 classes both lack a returning champion, eliminating the “man to beat” for all participating racers. AMA Supercross Champion Chad Reed, Rockstar/Makita Suzuki rider, will make his first stab at claiming an AMA Motocross title since the 2006 season. Also striving for the title is Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Mike Alessi, Honda Red Bull Racing's Andrew Short, Davi Millsaps and Ivan Tedesco, Monster Energy Kawasaki's Timmy Ferry, and rookies Josh Grant (JGRMX/Toyota/Yamaha) and Ryan Villopoto (Monster Energy Kawasaki).
Many of the riders are new to racing 450cc machines, which will leave the better rider open to speculation until we actually see them race. This is what is exciting about the new season with the 450 class, it involves big machines and big names; but no one has a clue who will be the victor.
