Image: Supplied.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has confirmed that multiple-time champion Ryan Dungey will return for the opening two rounds of the 2022 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.

Dungey will enter Fox Raceway and Hangtown, the 32-year-old committing to the same schedule as nine-time world champion Antonio Cairoli at this point.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to race the first couple rounds of the outdoors for Red Bull KTM,” Dungey said. “I’ve had a lot of success with KTM in my most recent years of racing and it’s exciting to go back and race for the same team with a lot of great personnel.

“I have a lot of trust with the team, which breeds confidence sitting on the line knowing I have good people behind me and we’ve got a great dirtbike underneath us.

“This is a stacked class and it’s been a long time since I’ve been on the line with them, but I’m excited to be back on the gate. I’ve got a lot of respect for the sport and the riders, so I don’t go into this underestimating anybody – I’m excited to just be out there racing with everybody and see what we can do.”

Ian Harrison, Red Bull KTM team manager commented: “We couldn’t be more excited to have Ryan joining us for the first two rounds of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

“He’s a world-class rider who has obviously achieved many great successes throughout his career and it’s great to see him having so much fun riding the bike. Ryan is a true competitor at heart, so we are happy to support his desire to line up on the gate this summer and we look forward to seeing what he can do.”

Dungey retired at the conclusion of the 2017 Monster Energy Supercross season upon clinching a fourth 450SX championship. He also won three 450MX titles, as well as one in 250MX during his illustrious career.