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AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship Awards AMA National No. 1 Plates

AMA National Champions determined in 36 classes during weeklong event

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association recognized four outstanding racers with special awards at the conclusion of the 2020 Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship held Aug. 3-8 at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

Levi Kitchen is the 2020 AMA Amateur Motocross Rider of the Year. Photo by Cole Beach Photography

AMA National No. 1 plates were awarded in 36 competition classes at the event, as well.

Stilez Robertson, of Bakersfield, Calif., won the 2020 Nicky Hayden AMA Motocross Horizon Award, which the AMA presents annually to an amateur rider poised for professional success.

“I’m honored to receive this award,” Robertson said. “This is something every amateur racer wants to get.”

Robertson went 1-2-1 in Open Pro Sport and 2-1-1 in 250 Pro Sport to take both titles at the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship. His first competition at the venue came at age 4, and he won his first title there at age 6 in the 51cc 4-6 Class.

Ryder DiFrancesco is the 2020 AMA Youth Rider of the Year. Photo by Cole Beach Photography

Robertson intends to start his professional career this weekend in the 250 class in the first round of the 2020 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. For the first time, that event also will be held at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch. The AMA awards National No. 1 plates to the 250 and 450 class champions at the conclusion of each season on behalf of AMA Pro Racing, which sanctions the events, and series promoter MX Sports Pro Racing.

“I want to have some fun, and we’ll see how it goes,” Robertson said.

The AMA Amateur Motocross Rider of the Year is awarded annually to a standout rider in a B or C class at the amateur national event. The 2020 winner, Levi Kitchen, of Washougal, Wash., led 62 out of 66 laps, winning all six motos he competed in at the event. He raced in the 250 B Limited and 450 B Limited classes.

Brandon Scharer is the 2020 AMA Vet Rider of the Year. Photo by Cole Beach Photography

Ryder DiFrancesco, of Bakersfield, Calif., is the 2020 AMA Motocross Youth Rider of the Year. He won all six motos in Supermini 1 and Supermini 2, leading 55 of 61 laps. He has won eight AMA National Championships so far in his amateur career.

The 2020 AMA Vet Rider of the Year is Brandon Scharer, of Gardena, Calif. Scharer went 2-1-1 in the Junior (25+) class at Loretta Lynn’s, leading the second two motos from start to finish. In his previous eight trips to Hurricane Mills, his best finish was seventh.

For complete results from the 2020 Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, visit resultsmx.com/lorettas/class.asp.

For more information on the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, visit the series’ website at mxsports.com or call (304) 284-0101.

For more information about AMA motocross competition, visit americanmotorcyclist.com/motocross-arenacross.