Image: Supplied.

Monster Energy Kawasaki test rider Broc Tickle will return to professional racing this weekend at RedBud and continue with the team for select rounds of the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross season.

Tickle has been testing with the factory Kawasaki program in the USA for the last few years, particularly putting a lot of work in on the new 2024 KX450SR platform. He had been hinting at a return to racing at some events more recently after Adam Cianciarulo retired mid-season this year following the Monster Energy Supercross season.

With a seat available under the tent, the team has decided to draft Tickle back into racing.

“I’ve been testing for Monster Energy Kawasaki for the last few years,” said Tickle. “The team is always working hard to find the best settings for the KX450SR, and we are elevating our testing by lining up on the starting gate. The team is dedicated to getting the most out of our race bikes and this is just another step in that commitment to excellence.”

This weekend will mark the first professional race for Tickle since the 2021 Salt Lake City 2 Supercross where he finished P16. Tickle never formally announced he was done with professional racing, but he quickly moved into a testing role with Kawasaki, and it appeared likely his career was over.

Before Pro Motocross began, Tickle actually competed and won the Stopwatch National event at Glen Helen Raceway against factory 250MX riders like Pierce Brown, Ryder DiFrancesco, and Julien Beaumer. Kawasaki has not explained what races Tickle will take part in, but expect to see him at the next few.