MORGANTOWN, W.V.
- With three-time defending champion Ryan Villopoto making his move up
to the 450 Class, the 250 class championship is wide open in the Lucas
Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. And as the 12-round season kicks
off this Saturday, the field is absolutely stacked with promising
talent, and picking a favorite is virtually impossible. As the series
makes the move to Saturday nationals beginning this weekend, a
comprehensive television package, world class talent, and some of the
best on-track action on the planet has built a high level of
anticipation for what could be the most competitive season in the
history of the sport.

Thanks to a trio of wins at the end of the season in 2008 and a
newly-earned Monster Energy AMA Supercross Lites Western Regional
championship, Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Ryan Dungey has been dubbed the
favorite by many. The Minnesota native has more experience on his bike
and with his team than any of his competitors and possesses all the
necessary tools to become the next 250 class champion.

However, if history has proven anything, the outdoor nationals are
never a sure thing. Thanks to what some are a calling an international
invasion, Dungey will have his fare share of challengers for the title.

Leading the way for the trio of overseas newcomers is Monster
Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Christophe Pourcel. The French rider is
the 2006 World Motocross Champion in this MX2 Class, the European
counterpart to the 250 Class. After suffering a near career-ending
injury two years ago, Pourcel returned stateside this season, capturing
the AMA Supercross Lites Eastern Regional title. With the support of
the perennial front-running team, he will absolutely be a force to be
reckoned with.

Joining Pourcel under the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit tent is South
African Tyla Rattray, the reigning MX2 World Champion. Despite being a
relative unknown in the United States, Rattray holds the credentials to
be considered an immediate threat. But because he sat out the AMA
Supercross tour to prepare for the outdoors, few of his competitors
know his speed.

One young athlete who does is Muscle Milk/MDK/KTM's Tommy Searle.
The British rider was Rattray's main source of competition throughout
the 2008 season in the MX2 Class, engaging in an exciting season-long
battle that came down to the final race of the season. Much like
Rattray, Searle is largely unfamiliar with the competition in America,
having also waited for the Glen Helen outdoor opener to begin his
season, but he certainly has the talent to run up front.

While the concept of a four-rider battle for the championship is a
mouth-watering thought for anyone, the list doesn't stop there. Monster
Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki is pulling out all the stops in 2009. With
the addition of Pourcel and Searle, Mitch Payton's squad will campaign
five riders, each of which has a shot at the title. Jake Weimer made
the move from Honda and has experienced nothing but success since
swinging a leg over the green bike. Alongside him is Austin Stroupe.
One of the most talented young athletes in the sport, Stroupe shocked
the motocross world in 2008 by winning the season-opener at Glen Helen
from Villopoto. Rounding out the loaded stable is quietly quick Ryan
Morais. Unfortunately, Morais is temporarily sidelined with a shoulder
injury.

Over at GEICO Powersports Honda, a trio of riders is prepared to
throw their names into the championship equation. Trey Canard has an
AMA Supercross Lites title to his credit and has shown flashes of
brilliance throughout his short professional career. Australian native
Brett Metcalfe is the new face and veteran rider in the GEICO lineup.
While he is still in search of his first career AMA victory, a switch
in teams has rejuvenated his motivation. The third and youngest member
of the team is Blake Wharton, who hails from Texas. Wharton made his
pro debut late last season, racing the final three rounds of the '08
championship. Raw and inexperienced, he turned heads by quickly
acclimating himself within the highly talented competition, even
leading multiple laps in his first ever national at Spring Creek.

There are many other fine young racers in what many consider to be
the deepest field in the history of American motocross, and that
directly translates into one of the most highly anticipated seasons
ever. Proven winners from around the globe will converge for 12
weekends during the summer of 2009 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross
Championship and determining who will prevail on Labor Day weekend in
September is truly unpredictable.