The 2012 United States Motocross Championships season kicks off at Hangtown, California, this weekend with the title favourites anyone’s guess.

With 2011 champion Ryan Villopoto sidelined with injury, along with 2004 MX2 world champion and 2012 MX1 New Zealand champion Ben Townley, the race to win the open class crown is wide open.

Australia’s 2009 US champion Chad Reed is also on the injury list, so perhaps it’s time for Ryan Dungey to assume the top spot again.

He won the open class crown on Suzuki in 2010 and he’s back this year, but now on a KTM, a brand that’s never won the main title in the USA, despite winning world titles.

Australian Brett Metcalfe, who was fourth last season, could be a threat, as could his new Suzuki team-mate, 2008 champion James Stewart (pictured above).

South African former world MX2 champion Tyla Rattray steps up to the big bike class this season and he’s also a likely favourite to win.

“I’m pumped to race the 450 class with Monster Energy Kawasaki,” said the South African rider, “I know both the team and the bike can win championships.” He has big shoes to fill and will be fighting alongside team-mate Jake Weimer to defend the team’s 2011 motocross championship. This will be Weimer’s second year competing in the class; the Idaho native finished sixth overall in his inaugural 450 season.

It is understood that veteran rider Ivan Tedesco will replace Rattray on the 250 Pro Circuit Kawasaki team.

It remains to be seen if or when Kiwi hero Townley will be able to ride in the American series but fingers are firmly crossed that his recovery is rapid and that he can line up later in the series.

The big news recently was Stewart announcing his split from the Joe Gibbs Racing team after the final round of Supercross in Las Vegas.

He has signed with Yoshimura Suzuki.

“I love the bike – Ever since I rode it from day one I knew it was a great opportunity for me to come out and showcase my talent,” Stewart said.

Red Bull KTM’s Dungey persevered through injuries of his own during the SX season, making a late comeback with three rounds remaining and winning the final two events. He placed second overall last year in motocross behind Villopoto and has the momentum to remain a dominant presence this year.

JGRMX’s Davi Millsaps took second place in SX and has been a regular presence at the front of the pack. He will definitely be looking to improve on his 10th place finish in last year’s motocross.

Kyle Regal will be joining Millsaps on the team, filling in the vacant spot left by Stewart. “I am excited about this opportunity,” said Regal, “the bike is awesome and the team has been great getting me comfortable with the set-up.”

Other riders to watch during the upcoming season are Muscle Milk Honda’s Justin Brayton, who took fourth in overall points in SX and MotoConcepts Suzuki’s Mike Alessi who, even though he struggled to earn podiums in SX this year, ended sixth in points. Both riders were in the top seven when last year’s motocross season wrapped up.

In the 250 class, Geico Honda’s Justin Barcia will be riding his final season in the Lites class, having announced plans to join with Muscle Milk Honda next year as a 450 rider.

He dominated the SX Lites East division this year, besting his closest competition (Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen) by 45 points. Barcia also came out the victor in the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Shootout held during the final round in Las Vegas.

If the Honda rider maintains his pace into the outdoor events, it may be impossible for anyone else to score a win this season.

Monster Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson is the defending 250 motocross champ and will return aboard his KX250F. Rival Eli Tomac of Geico Honda took the SX Lites West championship this year, but lagged in fourth during motocross in 2011. Tomac was unable to overtake Barcia in the East/West Shootout, but kept close on his heels to take second. The Colorado native will be a definite threat to Barcia and Wilson this season.

With Rattray’s move up to the 450 class, other riders such as Monster Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett and Red Bull KTM’s Marvin Musquin will be thrust into the spotlight.

Baggett finished fourth in SX Lites East and Musquin came in third in SX Lites West. The Kawasaki rider had an impressive motocross season last year as well, earning five wins and placing third behind Wilson and Rattray.

Hangtown has hosted major events since 1969, and was moved to its present location at the Prairie City OHV Park in Rancho Cordova in ’79.

The Dirt Diggers North Motorcycle Club still organises the event as they did in the old days, making this the only Lucas Oil Motocross Championship round still run by a club.

Other stops on the calendar are scheduled in traditional spots such as Thunder Valley in Lakewood Colorado, Washougal MX Park in Washington State, and RedBud in Buchanan, Michigan. The new Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park will debut as the last round of the season marking the first time that the nationals have stopped in the legendary motorcycling city.

Bruce Brown made the famed Lake Elsinore Grand Prix known to households across the nation in his 1971 classic “On Any Sunday” and Honda Motor Corporation named its first motocross bikes “Elsinores” in 1973. The track has suffered in recent years from management issues but is finally ready to host a world class event this year.

Photo courtesy Suzuki