2022 AMA Pro Motocross
In one of the most exciting and unexpected announcements in US motor racing history, four-time AMA National Motor Racing Champion Ryan Dungey is retiring to participate in the opening laps of the championship. Lucas Oil Pro motorcycle in 2022.
The Minnesota-born player amassed one of the most decorated careers in series history before he announced his retirement shortly before the start of the 2017 summer campaign, but now, five seasons later, he will returned to the starting gate as a member of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, with whom he won the 2012 and 2015 titles in 450 Class. Similarly, Dungey’s return will also welcome the return of his famous number 5 on the KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition.
“We know that the 50th anniversary season of the world’s most prestigious motorcycle championship is destined for an era, but nothing can prepare us for the competitive return of two of these greats. The richest motorcycle champions are Ryan Dungey and Antonio Cairoli,” said Davey Coombs, President of MX Sports Pro Racing. “When Ryan retired in 2017, it certainly felt like he still had a lot left in the tank, so it was bittersweet to watch him walk through his prime. While a comeback is always something we hope will happen, today’s announcement is unprecedented and we can’t wait to see the sport’s two immortal legends take on young opponents. their age this summer. Seeing #5 and #222 together on the track would truly be one of the movie’s landmark moments.”
Dungey’s last Pro Motocross start was at Thunder Valley National during the 2016 season, where he suffered a season-ending injury just three rounds in the summer.
Dungey was just 27 years old when he hung up his helmet and shoes in 2017, a career pause that has seen him rack up 46 career wins, third of all time, claiming 91 podiums career, second of all time and won three 450 Class titles. (2010, 2012, 2015) and the 250 Class crown (2009). Now, at 32 and just over two months after giving birth to her second child, Dungey will continue her unprecedented journey.
Ryan Dungey
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to race the first outdoor laps for Red Bull KTM. I’ve enjoyed a lot of success with KTM in my most recent racing years and it’s exciting to come back and race for the same team with so many great people. I have a lot of confidence in the team, which builds confidence in the backseat knowing that I have good people behind me and that we have a great motorcycle underneath. This is a stacked classroom and I haven’t been in line with them in a long time but I’m happy to be back at the gate. I have great respect for the sport and the racers, so I’m not going into this underestimating anyone. I’m excited to go out and race with everyone and see what we can do.”
Just a week ago, KTM also announced that Italian MXGP icon Antonio Cairoli will debut the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship in the opening round, taking home nine of his FIM World Motocross Championship certifications in different races. bang at the age of 36, just five months out of retirement from Europe’s premier series.
The two have gone head-to-head here in the US just once, at the 2010 FIM Motocross of Nations from Colorado’s Thunder Valley Motocross Park, and engaged in a memorable battle for victory for the respective nations. their response, from which Dungey triumphantly led Team America to home victory.
Combined, Dungey and Cairoli offer the most successful combination of teammates the sport has ever seen as they join Cooper Webb and Aaron Plessinger, two AMA national champions, for the historic roster. at Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.
They, and the rest of the star-studded international league of the world’s fastest drivers, will line up together for the first time on May 28 in Southern California at Fox Raceway National before setting off for Northern California for the legendary Hangtown Motocross Classic on June 4 in Sacramento.
The 50th anniversary of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship will be capped off with a weekend that serves as the starting and ending point of the summer, with the season opening round on Memorial Day Weekend in May 28 and the end of the season on Labor Day weekend on September 3.
The 12-round season will visit 10 different states, visiting iconic locations with decades of history such as the Hangtown Classic (June 4), High Point Raceway (June 18), RedBud MX (June 2) July 7, The Wick 338 (July 9), Spring Creek Park MX (July 16), Washougal MX Park (July 23), Unadilla MX (August 13) and Budds Creek Motocross Park (August 20), as well as other world-class venues at Fox Raceway (May 28 and September 3), Thunder Valley Motocross Park (June 11), and Iron Man Raceway (27). August).
