TV – When to Watch | Motocross Nationals Opening weekend from Hangtown

The gate drops Saturday on the 2012 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, with the FMF Hangtown Motocross Classic in Sacramento. The world’s best riders and teams have spent countless hours over the past two weeks, testing and dialing in their bikes for the toughest championship on the planet.

Over the course of 12 weekends this summer, riders in the premier 450 Class and highly-competitive 250 Class will do battle for 24 motos. Additionally, the world’s fastest women riders will go head-to-head for eight rounds in the Women’s Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.

With a season-ending injury to reigning 450 Class Champion Ryan Villopoto, who rides for Monster Energy Kawasaki, the premier division title is up for grabs this summer. Additionally, injured TwoTwo Motorsports/Bel-Ray Honda rider Chad Reed leaves one less title contender in the field.

In their absence, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey and new Team Yoshimura Suzuki rider, James Stewart, assume the lead roles in the division. These two former champions know what it takes to win a title in the world’s most prestigious motocross championship, but they will be challenged by a talented field of former race winners and competitors eager to leave their mark on the series.