Newcastle will host the first round of the 2010 Monster Energy Super X Championship tomorrow night with a huge lineup of Australian and American Supercross stars ready to battle it out at Energy Australia Stadium.

All eyes will be on local hero and reigning Super X Champion Chad Reed as he makes his return to racing after being sidelined from U.S. competition earlier in the year with the Epstein Barr virus.

Reed unveiled the new team and motorcycle he will be competing on in the series opener earlier this week, TeamVodafone, and can’t wait to get out and race in front of his home town.

“I have always wanted to have a race here and it feels surreal that I finally am,” Reed said at today’s press conference. “I always drove past this stadium as a kid and came to watch the Knights play.

“It’s cool to be with a bunch of the top US guys as well who I spend a lot of time with when I racing over there. It’s good to have them racing in my hometown with me in front all of my family and friends.”

All competitors in the Open and 250cc class will race the Double Header final format, which pits riders against each other in a pair of 12 lap races in the Open class and a pair of eight lap races in the Lites class. Competitors in the Michelin Development Series will race in a trio of six lap races.

Monster Energy Pro Circut Kawasaki’s Josh Hansen (USA) will compete in every round of the 2010 series and is best known for winning the 2008 and 2009 X Games Super X events.

“I can’t wait for the first round of the series this weekend and I am stoked to be in Australia to compete in the Monster Energy Super X,” said Hansen, son of 1982 AMA Supercross Champion Donnie ‘Holeshot’ Hansen.

“I am feeling very fit and focused and although I know the competition will be tough, I hope I can return to the U.S. with the championship,” he concluded.

Also competing in every round of the series is Jagermeister KTM’s Mike Alessi (USA), who enters the championship after finishing an impressive fifth overall in the 2010 AMA Pro Motocross Championship.

Alessi is ready for his first ever supercross race in Australia and keen to gain early dominance in the championship.

“I am really looking forward to racing and it’s great to be in Australia,” Alessi said. “It’s my first time here and I can’t wait to have some fun and put on a good show for the fans. My aim is to ride fast and consistently at every round to give myself the best shot at the championship.”

Muscle Milk Toyota JGR MX’s Justin Brayton (USA) finished fifth overall in the AMA/World Supercross series this year and is in Australia to contest the first three rounds in Newcastle, Canberra and Launceston.

“It’s excellent to be in Australia,” Brayton said. “I have been watching the races on TV in the USA and the tracks look really good. I have been training with Craig Dack’s team this week and they have made me feel right at home, so now I am just excited to get out there and race.”

CDR Rockstar Yamaha’s Jay Marmont enters the series with confidence after claiming his third consecutive Australian Motocross Championship.

“I always look forward to racing supercross,” Marmont said. “The night time events, the big crowds and atmosphere make it the best events to race in.

“I also feel we are well prepared as the team and I have done some extensive testing while in the U.S. and even more in the week leading up to the opening round.

“It starts tomorrow and I hope we have a huge crowd turn out for what looks to be a great championship.”

Cougar Bourbon Honda Thor’s Dan Reardon has once again returned from competing in the USA for his home series and is looking to go one better after finishing second overall in the 2009 championship.

“I always love coming back to Australia,” Reardon said. “Being with my friends and families over here really recharges my batteries. Super X is an awesome series and I am super excited about getting out there and racing.”

Rockstar Motul Suzuki rider Jake Moss is in great form and is looking to make his mark in the Open class championship, after he was forced out of the 2009 series with the broken wrist he sustained in the first round.

The Monster Energy Super X Lites class will be highly contested this year with defending champion Matt Moss, who like his brother will ride for the Rockstar Motul Suzuki team.

Moss is eager to defend his title, but is sure to face some stiff competition from the talented lineup of riders including current Australian Motocross Lites champion, JDR Motorex KTM’s PJ Larsen from the USA.

The Newcastle track has been designed and built by internationally renowned track designer Jason Baker from the USA.

Gates to the event open at 4:00pm, with the main event to start at 6:30pm and finish at 9:30pm.

All rounds of the Monster Energy Super X series will once again be televised live on Fox Sports. Round one in Newcastle will air on Fox Sports 3 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm tomorrow.

For more information on or to purchase tickets please visit www.superx.com.au.