Image: Supplied.

Nick Romano and Matthew LeBlanc are set to make their professional racing debuts at round one of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship at Fox Raceway, the duo part of a six-rider Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 250MX lineup.

Romano, 17, graduates to Pro Motocross with a wealth of amateur success to his credit, most recently named 2021 Amateur Rider of the Year.

“I’m super excited for my pro debut with the Yamaha Star Racing team,” Romano explained. “We’ve been putting in a lot of work, so I’m really looking forward to my first race at Pala. This is something I’ve been working towards my whole life!”

18-year-old Leblanc makes the step with multiple amateurs titles to his name and will contest the first two rounds of 250MX at Fox Raceway and Hangtown with the squad.

“I’m excited to go racing this weekend and make my pro debut,” LeBlanc added. “We’ve been putting in the work with the team, and now it’s time to see what we can do.”

Last year’s runner-up Justin Cooper will return at Pala’s opener following a foot injury that sidelined him from 2022 Monster Energy Supercross altogether. Likewise, Colt Nichols is set for a comeback throughout the summer after broken arms left him unable to compete for back-to-back 250SX titles. Completing the lineup are Nate Thrasher and Levi Kitchen.

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 250 team manager Jensen Hendler added: “We’re ready to kick off the outdoor season. Coming off a successful end to the Supercross season, we are looking to pick up where we left off.

“The team has been working hard during the short break, and we’re excited to get rolling this weekend. It’s great to have Justin and Colt back riding, although Colt will be joining us sometime later this summer. We also have a group of young, fast riders, which is really exciting, and we’re looking forward to seeing what they can do.”