Source: Archives.

The fifth running of the annual Monster Energy Cup hybrid supercross/motocross event will be broadcast on ESPN2 in Australia this Sunday, 18 October, direct from Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium in the US.

Australian viewers can tune into the pay television network at 12:00pm AEDT on Sunday, to witness what has become the first glimpse of the 2016 Monster Energy AMA Supercross field.

The 2015 running will mark the highly anticipated regular racing return of James Stewart, who won the 2013 Monster Energy Cup. His last supercross appearance came at last year’s Las Vegas finals.

Since the inaugural race in 2011, Ryan Villopoto has been the only racer to win the required three main events and earn the $1 Million. The now retired three-time Monster Energy Supercross Champion reflects back on his big pay day.

“The pressure to win all three main events is intense,” said Villopoto. “The key to this race is a good start and that is what I was able to do in 2011. With $1 Million on the line, everyone brings their A-game, and it’s important to keep your composure. I look forward to seeing how this year’s race unfolds; there will be the world’s best racers out there, so it’s going to be exciting.”

Joining Villopoto as Monster Energy Cup Champions are Davi Millsaps (2014), James Stewart (2013) and Justin Barcia (2012). While they didn’t sweep the three main events, they walked away with $100,000 for their efforts and wrote their names in the record books.

Last year’s champion, Millsaps, aims to become the first rider in history to win the Monster Energy Cup aboard a new bike and team. Prior to this year’s race, Millsaps joined forces with the BTO Sports.com KTM team and will make his debut for the new squad when he lines up this weekend.

Fresh off his second Monster Energy Supercross Championship, Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey will race for his first-ever Monster Energy Cup Championship. Dungey finished fourth at last year’s race and second at the previous three.

At the inaugural Monster Energy Cup in 2011, Dungey made his debut for the Red Bull KTM team following a successful career with the factory Suzuki race team, where he won the 2010 Monster Energy Supercross title.