AMA Athletes of the Year, AMA Racers of the Year named

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association announces the winners of the 2020 AMA Racing and Organizer Awards, which recognize individuals and organizations that excelled in AMA-sanctioned competition and recreational activity during the calendar year.

AMA members helped select the winners of certain racing categories, including the AMA Athlete of the Year and the AMA Racer of the Year awards.

Multitime AMA Grand National Cross Country Series Champion Kailub Russell captured more than 31 percent of the vote to win AMA Athlete of the Year, National Championship Series. Russell is the all-time leader in two-wheel GNCC victories.

Stilez Robertson, the 2020 Nicky Hayden AMA Motocross Horizon Award winner, picked up AMA Athlete of the Year, Grand Championships. Walker Fowler earned AMA ATV Athlete of the Year, and Ryder DiFrancesco is the AMA Youth Racer of the Year. All three riders collected nearly half of the votes in their category.

Katie Benson, also representing the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, edged out fellow motocrosser Jordan Jarvis and AMA Grand National Cross Country Series Champion Becca Sheets for AMA Female Racer of the Year.

GNCC racer Robby Norwood narrowly beat MXer Nicholas Hayes for AMA Veteran/Senior Racer of The Year.

“We are proud to recognize the winners of the 2020 AMA Racing and Organizer Awards,” AMA Director of Racing Mike Pelletier said. “The past year was a trying time for all, and these winners overcame unprecedented challenges and managed to excel.”

Recreational riding organizers were recognized in road-riding and off-road categories, as were volunteers in three categories—rights, riding and racing.

“AMA organizers work tirelessly to conduct safe, enjoyable events,” AMA Director of Member Activity Heather Wilson said. “It’s always difficult to choose just one recipient for an award, because all the nominees are passionate about motorcycling and helping others. We appreciate the opportunities these award winners provided to recreational riders.”

The racing and volunteer awards usually are announced during the AMA Championship Banquet. The 2020 AMA Championship Banquet and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony—which together are the AMA Championship Weekend event—were canceled due to restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.

2020 AMA Racing Award Winners

• • AMA Athlete of the Year: National Championship Series
    • Kailub Russell — Champion, AMA Grand National Cross Country Series

• • AMA Athlete of the Year: Grand Championships
    • Stilez Robertson — Nicky Hayden AMA Motocross Horizon Award Winner

• • AMA ATV Athlete of the Year
    • Walker Fowler — Champion, AMA Grand National Cross Country Series

• • AMA Veteran/Senior Racer of the Year
    • Robby Norwood — Champion, AMA Grand National Cross Country Series

• • AMA Youth Racer of the Year
    • Ryder DiFrancesco — Champion, AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship

• • AMA Female Racer of the Year
    • Katie Benson — Champion, AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship

2020 AMA Organizer Award Winners

• • Motocross Organizer of the Year
    • MX Sports Inc., Morgantown, W.Va.

• • Off-Road Racing Organizer of the Year
    • National Enduro Promotions Group, Eaton Rapids, Mich.

• • Track Racing Organizer of the Year
    • Pioneer Motorcycle Club, Waterford, Ohio

• • ATV Organizer of the Year
    • ATV Promoters Group, Morgantown, W.Va.

• • AMA Recreational Road Riding Organizer of the Year
    • Tour of Honor, Auburn, Calif.

• • AMA Recreational Off-Road Organizer of the Year
    • Twin Cities Trail Riders, Jordan, Minn.

• • AMA Club of the Year
    • Metropolitan Sports Committee, East Durham, N.Y.

• • AMA Media Award
    • MPG Creative Group — Motoplayground

• • AMA Volunteer of the Year — Rights
    • Tod Peterson, Stanwood, Wash.

• • AMA Volunteer of the Year — Riding
    • Don Gomo, Rockville Centre, N.Y.

• • AMA Volunteer of the Year — Racing
    • Gary Spencer, Albany, Ohio