KTM's Mike Alessi will race a 450 in the 2011 AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

Red Bull KTM’s Mike Alessi is poised to make a shock return to KTM’s 450 SX-F when the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship commences this weekend at Hangtown.

Alessi was one of the first to race KTM’s extraordinary 350cc in the 450 Class last season, the model released to the public for the first time this year.

After enjoying early success with the 350 SX-F and also riding the model in AMA Supercross this year, Alessi will now turn his back on the 350 in favour of the extra horsepower the 450 offers.

“I am switching to the 450 SX-F for the outdoor series and I am looking forward to hopefully continuing my holeshots and leading some motos,” said Alessi.

“I have high expectations for this season and hope that I meet my goals at the first round.”

Meanwhile, Alessi’s teammate Andrew Short will remain on the 350 for the nationals, making for an interesting inter-team battle for supremacy that is sure to take place during the season.

Last season saw Alessi finish fifth in the championship on KTM’s 350, with Short racing to third overall aboard a 450 with American Honda.