Image: Supplied.

After months of anticipation, motocross finally returned as the 2020 Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship kicked off on Tuesday from the famed Loretta Lynn’s Ranch.

A full slate of action headlined the day, with the first 22 motos of the 2020 event getting underway in this year’s journey to crown 36 champions.

The 2020 lineup for 250 Pro Sport was brimming with talent, with the likes of Stilez Robertson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing), Mason Gonzales (Yamaha Rock River bLU cRU Amateur Motocross Team) and Dilan Schwartz (BarX Chaparral Suzuki) leading the way as title favorites.

Winning moto one was Schwartz, while Roberston successfully battled from a fifth-place start to earn a runner-up result. Gonzales turned his holeshot into a podium finish in third.

The 250 B division is also loaded with heavy-hitters. Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green has Jett Reynolds and Chance Hymas, as Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing features Matthew Leblanc and Nick Romano, plus there’s also TLD Red Bull KTM’s Nick Thrasher and Rides Unlimited KTM’s Jack Chambers.

Moto one was won by Leblanc by just over five seconds over Hymas, but drama unfolded on the final lap in the battle for third. Romano, who appeared to have the position in hand, encountered misfortune that also involved Thrasher, handing Reynolds P3.

The two most talked about riders coming into the week for the 125cc B/C title were Troy Lee Designs Red Bull KTM’s Max Vohland and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Talon Hawkins. Vohland won the first moto over Gage Linville (MTF KTM) and Yamaha-mounted Larry Reyes Jr.

Women’s champion Jazzmyn Canfield is currently out injured, leaving Team SBG Racing Maxxis Babbitt’s Online Kawasaki’s Jordan Jarvis to win moto one over Newground Husqvarna’s Hannah Hodges and Tayler Allred (KTM Orange Brigade) right behind in third.

The Supermini 2 class is another division with deep talent throughout, spearheaded by Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Ryder Difrancesco in addition to his fellow Team Green rider Gavin Towers, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Evan Ferry and EBR Performance KTM’s Benjamin Garib.

When racing got underway for the first moto, each of these riders assumed their positions at the head of the pack. In the end, Difrancesco won the opener in front of a hard-charging Ferry, with Towers holding on for third.

As a member of one of the motorsports world’s most successful racing families in recent years, it’s not a surprise to see that Haiden Deegan is ready to leave his mark on amateur motocross. The KTM Orange Brigade rider went on to win moto one in Mini Sr. 1 and Mini Sr. 2.

Deegan led every single lap in each moto en route to a pair of moto wins, both by double-digit margins. Following Deegan across the line in both motos was Triangle Cycles bLU cRU Yamaha’s Logan Best in second and Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green’s Krystian Janik in third.

For the 65cc (10-11) Limited class, all attention was centered on KTM Orange Brigade’s Seth Dennis and Yamaha Rock River bLU cRU Amateur Motocross Team rider Canyon Richards. Dennis won moto one from Richards, with KTM rider Deacon Denno third.

Additional winners included Levi Kitchen (250 B Limited), Lux Turner 250 C, Anthony Castaneda (250 C Limited), Dakota Bender (250 C Jr. Limited), Luca Marsalisi (450 B), Garrett Alumbaugh (125 C), Otto Berton (College), Jesse Wentland (Junior), Nicholas Hayes (Vet), Kris Keefer (Senior), Barry Carsten (Masters), Darren Pine (65cc Limited), Luke Fauser (85cc Limited) and Katie Benson (Girls).

The second day of motos for the 2020 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship continues Wednesday, 5 August. Broadcast coverage of every moto can be seen exclusively on Racer TV.

Detailed results