Image: David Lando.

Team Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM WPS has announced the signing of Shane McElrath for the 2022 Monster Energy AMA Supercross and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross championships.

The surprise news as made official this afternoon, the 26-year-old gearing up for his second year in the premier class after stepping up with MotoConcepts this year.

“I’m super-excited for the opportunity to join the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM WPS team,” McElrath stated. “I feel like I’m getting the chance to work alongside some great people, people that are focused on the same goals as myself.

“My wife and I are very thankful for this team believing in me and we are looking to start working and building for the 2022 season now. See you all at Anaheim 1!”

It’s unclear if McElrath will be an addition to the team or if he will be replacing either Justin Bogle or Joey Savatgy, who joined the team late in the 2021 pre-season and has been gradually gaining strength throughout the year.

Team RMATVMC KTM co-owner Forest Butler added: “We are excited to bring Shane onto the team for the 2022 racing season and we are so for many reasons. We as a team have a lot of changes in store for 2022 and Shane fits the mold for a lot of them.

“Professional SX and MX racing is changing, the top 10 in the 450 class has become like the top 10 in the NASCAR Cup class. The sport is exploding, there are so many good guys, we are all having to adjust and Shane is a rider that not only believes in himself, he believes in our team.

“We are actually two guys that have watched each other for a long time now from opposite sides and have always wanted to work together. Shane has and shows a tremendous amount of respect for our team and sponsors.

“I personally have watched him do just that with teams he has ridden for in the past. At the same time, he has worn the red plate before and he knows what he wants and expects out of himself on the race track. We are excited and ready!”

McElrath was forced to miss much of his rookie 450SX season with injuries, sitting out the opening half after separating his shoulder, only to return in Orlando – where he took a best of 14th – and then be sidelined soon afterwards with back problems leading into the Arlington residency.

Prior to graduating this year, McElrath claimed runner-up in 250SX East last year, as well as second in 250SX West in 2015 and 2017. He was third in points during 2018.