Motocross World Championship rights holders Youthstream has announced a long-term strategic sponsorship agreement with American energy drink leader Monster Energy. The agreement was signed today at the Monster Energy headquarters in Corona, California.

Beginning in 2011, Monster Energy will become the Prime Sponsor and Exclusive Energy Drink Sponsor of the complete array of FIM Motocross World Championship properties managed by Youthstream worldwide.

These properties include the pinnacle of global motocross, the MX1 and MX2 FIM Motocross World Championships, the Motocross of Nations, the MX3 FIM Motocross World Championship, the FIM MX Junior World Championship and the UEM EMX2 European Motocross Championship.

“Firstly, I would like to express all my gratitude to our current energy drink partner Red Bull for the support that they have given to the FIM Motocross World Championship in the past four years,” stated Youthstream president Giuseppe Luongo.

“It has come the time for us to enter a new phase of development and growth of the FIM World Motocross Championships for which Monster Energy has shown a tremendous commitment and synergy of vision with the standards that we want to reach for the series.

“Monster Energy has a unique and unmatchable bond with the sport of motocross, its fans and its special vibe and it will be a strategic partner in elevating the sport to new heights. Monster Energy will be instrumental also to the worldwide harmonization of this fantastic sport. We are extremely glad to welcome Monster Energy onboard as leading partner of the series.”

Monster Energy president Mark Hall is also pleased with the association.

“Motocross has been a key component of our marketing mix from the inception of the Monster brand,” said Hall. “We believe our ongoing support of Motocross has been good for the sport and, in return, the fans of the sport have been loyal to us.

“The FIM Motocross World Championship is well positioned to grow the sport on an international stage, which will include the United States, and we are pleased to partner with Giuseppe Luongo and the Youthstream team to help develop this world class property.”