Image: Supplied.

The 2020 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship is scheduled to begin with the Florida National, set for mid-June at WW Ranch Motocross Park.

In response to the evolving health crisis surrounding the COVID-19 coronavirus, MX Sports Pro Racing has officially announced an amended event schedule.

“While the whole world is trying to cope with the ongoing global pandemic that is the COVID-19 coronavirus, we have diligently looked at the impending future of our own championship and the impact this will inevitably have on this annual summer tradition,” said Davey Coombs, president of MX Sports Pro Racing.

“While the series has unfortunately already been affected by this pandemic with the cancellation of American motocross’ longest running event, the Hangtown Motocross Classic, we have developed a condensed and redesigned schedule for the remainder of the championship that will now start a little less than three months from now.

“It is our hope that in postponing the start of our season for this additional month, the extended period of time will not only allow for us to obtain a clearer picture of the state of the pandemic, but also provide ample opportunity for our series partners, teams, competitors, and fans to plan accordingly.

“The updated calendar would allow us to still successfully host a complete season of Lucas Oil Pro Motocross competition, in a quick and concise fashion will leave other parts of the calendar open for other racing activities.”

Under the new schedule, the 11-round series would open with seven consecutive weekends of racing, followed by a two-week break and then the final stretch into the Fox Raceway National in California on 5 September – now the final round of the season.

The adjustments made could potentially allow Monster Energy Supercross to complete its season through May, however, that remains an unlikely option at this moment. There is also the broader possibility of it being completed in the final quarter.

2020 Pro Motocross Championship calendar:
Rd1 – 13 June – Florida National
Rd2 – 20 June – High Point National
Rd3 – 27 June – Southwick National
Rd4 – 4 July – RedBud National
Rd5 – 11 July – Thunder Valley National
Rd6 – 18 July – Spring Creek National
Rd7 – 25 July – Washougal National
Rd8 – 15 August – Unadilla National
Rd9 – 22 August – Budds Creek National
Rd10 – 29 August – Ironman National
Rd11 – 5 September – Fox Raceway National