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Triple Australian motocross champion Dean Ferris is savouring the opportunity to contest the 2019 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, as his debut in the series looms this weekend at Hangtown.

Ferris, who’ll sport number 103 this season, signed a deal with Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing just two weeks ago following an eight-month ordeal in attempting to secure a ride in the American championship.

“I’m really stoked to get this opportunity with Monster Energy Yamaha,” Ferris stated. “It’s been a long eight months trying to secure a deal here in the US since I finished up in Australia – to pull it off is a dream come true.

“It’s also something I’ve been working towards for the last 10 years, to do the AMA outdoors and now it’s finally happening. I’m really looking forward to the whole season and really looking forward this weekend in Hangtown and getting the ball rolling.

“I have to give a huge thank you to everyone who got me to this point and I’ll be working as hard as I can to make everyone proud.”

The popular Queenslander, a former MXGP World Championship regular, previously raced in America during the 2014 supercross season with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, however a wrist injury saw him denied of making a start in Pro Motocross, and instead return to grand prix racing.

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Popular challenger Adam Cianciarulo says his heartbreak at Las Vegas’ Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship finale has added to his motivation to earn a maiden Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship in the 250MX category.

Holding the points lead, the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki ace saw his 250SX West title hopes crushed in Vegas’ main event when he sustained bike damage following a heavy crash, allowing Frenchman Dylan Ferrandis (Monster Energy Yamalube Yamaha Star Racing) to emerge with the crown.

Injuries have prevented Cianciarulo from lining up in the outdoor series since 2017, where he concluded the season with a P3 ranking in the championship standings.

“After Vegas, it was a tough pill to swallow but it makes me even more motivated to go out and be successful during the motocross season,” said Cianciarulo. “This team deserves a championship and I would love to be able to bring that to them. It’s been a while since I’ve lined up for a motocross race, but I couldn’t be more excited about starting fresh.”

This weekend will see the 12-stop championship kick-off at Hangtown in California.

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Two-time Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross champion Eli Tomac has signed a multi-year contract extension to remain with Monster Energy Kawasaki.

Tomac, who joined Kawasaki ahead of the 2016 season, recently wrapped up his 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship campaign with runner-up honours, and will attempt to claim a third-consecutive Pro Motocross crown as the series kicks off this weekend at Hangtown.

“I’m thrilled to continue the relationship with Kawasaki,” said Tomac. “I feel we have an outstanding team in place, an excellent KX450 motorcycle and a common goal of winning races and championships. I’m looking forward to starting off this Pro Motocross season with the crew on a high note. Let the good times roll!”

Kawasaki senior manager of racing Dan Fahie added: “Eli is an impressive athlete and an exceptional asset to the Monster Energy Kawasaki team. It has been a pleasure working and winning together with him and his family and we’re all excited to continue this relationship and the successful route we’re on.”

Tomac’s teammate Joey Savatgy is currently signed to a one-year deal with the outfit, while his future with the team is still unclear at this stage.

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AMA Supercross regular Joey Savatgy has been confirmed to contest the 2019 Monster Energy AUS-X Open Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, scheduled for 30 November.

The Monster Energy Kawasaki Factory Racing ace just completed his rookie season in the premier category, recording a number of highly-impressive results to wind up eighth in the championship rankings.

Savatgy is just the second international rider confirmed for the prestigious event, which has been relocated to Melbourne for 2019, joining fellow American and three-time Australian supercross champion Justin Brayton on the roster, who’ll challenge the full domestic series once again with Penrite Honda Racing.

The number 17 revealed yesterday he’ll miss the opening rounds of the upcoming Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship as he continues to recover from multiple injuries sustained during the supercross season.

Pre-sale tickets for the 2019 Monster Energy AUS-X Open Melbourne have opened, allowing fans to lock in their seats ahead of the full allocation being released. For more information, visit www.ausxopen.com.

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Three-time Australian supercross champion Justin Brayton will defend his crown in 2019 with Penrite Honda Racing, while he’s also been named as the first international contender for the Monster Energy AUS-X Open Melbourne, set to be hosted at Marvel Stadium on 29 November.

The American, who joined the Penrite Honda Racing outfit in 2016, has won the SX1 title every year since with the Victorian-based operation, and will attempt to claim an astonishing fourth consecutive championship this year.

A regular in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship with Smartop Bullfrog Spas Honda, Brayton saw his campaign cut short this season after a frightening crash in Seattle.

“The AUS-X Open is one of the greatest events outside of the US, and having been so close to winning it before, I’m determined to come back faster and ready to win in November,” Brayton explained. “The racing at Sydney was always incredible but I think moving to Melbourne, into such an awesome stadium, is going to take supercross racing in Australia to the next level and I can’t wait to put on a show for all the fans in Australia.

“Marvel Stadium will be the closest thing Australia gets to the world championship. The track will be full-sized and I have no doubt both the racing and the atmosphere will be electric on November 30. I’m so pumped to be returning to Australia in 2019 and fighting for the Australian supercross title for a fourth straight year with Penrite Honda Racing.

“I have the most amazing team when I head down under to race, and it would be awesome to bring home the trophy again, especially in front of the huge Melbourne crowd.”

The full 2019 Australian Supercross Championship is still to be revealed, however it’s understood the series will kick off on 21 September at a venue in Queensland. It was uncovered last month that round three will take place at WIN Stadium in Wollongong, New South Wales, on 9 November, while the AUS-X Open will host the season finale.

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Premier class rookie Joey Savatgy has confirmed he’ll sit out the opening rounds of the 2019 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship as he recovers from injuries sustained in the recently completed Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.

The Monster Energy Kawasaki Factory Racing contender has been experiencing an ongoing shoulder injury from Nashville’s supercross, while he was forced to miss Las Vegas’ finale after suffering a heavy fall in qualifying, resulting in a hematoma in his leg.

Savatgy is hopeful returning for Thunder Valley’s third round, scheduled on 2 June, as the series kicks off this weekend at Hangtown.

“Unfortunately I won’t be lining up for the start of the outdoor series,” Savatgy revealed. “Between my nagging shoulder injury and my leg issue from Vegas, the goal right now honestly is Colorado at best. I’m bummed, haven’t missed a start of the MX series since 2014. But I want to get healthy and comeback 100 percent.”

Savatgy experienced a mixed rookie campaign in the supercross champion, recording a number of impressive finishes, however it was ultimately marred by injuries.