Corona, CA: Pro Circuit Riders Head to Monster Energy Cup

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki riders Broc Tickle, Josh Hansen and Ben Townley, as well as other Pro Circuit support riders, will be in Las Vegas this weekend for the inaugural Monster Energy Cup at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday. Riders will be competing for a quarter-of-a-million dollar purse, and have the opportunity to race for a $1 million bonus if someone can win all three 10-lap main events during the one-of-a-kind event.

Tickle’s anticipated move to a 450cc bike will take place at Monster Energy Cup. The reigning 2011 AMA Supercross Lites West Region Champion just completed a fantastic season, with one win and seven podium finishes. Part way through the year, Tickle achieved the maximum points allowed in the Lites class, but was fortunate to have the support of Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki, who will help him make the move to the premier level for the 2012 season.

“This one-off race is a great opportunity for me to get a race on the KX450F under my belt,” stated Tickle. “It will be good to have one race under my belt before going out and starting the season at Anaheim. I’ve been having a lot of fun on the new bike, and it will be interesting to see how I match up with those guys that have raced on the big bikes before.”

A veteran supercross rider, Hansen finished the indoor season in third in the AMA Supercross Lites West Region. He had three event wins and two podium finishes during the nine-race season. His experience, and history of winning, will surely come in handy this weekend, when he faces the unique track that blends supercross and motocross terrain.

“I think it’s going to be a good race with all of us together on one track,” said Hansen. “I’m excited. I hope there are a lot of technical sections, but overall the track is looking good.”

Coming off an injury from earlier in the year, Townley is recovered and ready to race again. He began the year as the lead rider of the European-based Team CLS/Monster Energy Kawasaki/Pro Circuit for the MX1 FIM Motocross World Championship series, so his return to the squad that helped him earn the 2007 AMA Supercross Lites East Region Championship should be an easy one.

“Not only do I get to ride again after being out for a while, I get to come and ride with a team that I love and I’m familiar with,” said Townley, who has not raced inside a stadium since his championship season. “I’m really lucky to come back and be comfortable with the team right away. I’ve done well in the past with the team, so I’m really looking forward to getting out and racing.”

Pro Circuit support rider Cole Seely, riding for Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda, will also be competing on Saturday. Seely finished fourth in AMA Supercross Lites West Region in 2011, with two wins, including his first career win at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles back in January. This summer, in the AMA Motocross Championship, Seely finished in 14th in the 250 Class.

Earning his way into the Super Mini class, Pro Circuit support rider Adam Cianciarulo represents a group of top amateur riders selected from the AMA Amateur National Championships at Loretta Lynn’s. The Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green rider has won 52 Amateur National Championships, and at the age of 14, is ready to take on any challenge.

“It’s crazy to be on an awesome track built by the two greatest riders ever,” Cianciarulo stated. “Adding the aspect of being lined up on the same track as the big bikes is something special. The track has some different lines, but I don’t think that I’ll be hitting the big table top.”

Another amateur Pro Circuit support rider, Thomas Covington, earned his way into the Amateur All-Star class by finishing first overall in the 250 B Modified race at the Loretta Lynn’s event. The Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green rider is excited to be racing on the same track as the professionals.

“This race is definitely a good experience as my time going pro gets closer,” claimed Covington. “I don’t know when that will be, but it’s always good to get out on the big tracks.”

Some of the other Pro Circuit support riders participating in the event are Jon Ames, riding for Arma Energy Kawasaki, and Rookie White, from the Rockstar Energy Suzuki Amateur Racing team, in the Super Mini class. In the 250 Amateur class, fans can catch Honda riders Cole Thompson, Trustin Sgouromitis, Chris Carrillo and Jessy Nelson, in addition to Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green-backed Justin Hill, in action on Saturday night.

The Monster Energy Cup will take place tomorrow from Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, beginning at 10 p.m. EST. For those unable to make it out to see the world’s best riders in person, SPEED will carry live coverage of the festivities, with over three hours dedicated to bringing all the action, kicking off at 10 p.m. EST.