Defending AMA Arenacross Series champion Tyler Bowers will compete in the inaugural Monster Energy Cup on 15 October at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium.

Bowers capped off a dominant 2011 AMA Arenacross Series with 12 main event wins, clinching the championship one race before the season finale at Des Moines, Iowa’s Well Fargo Arena.

Last year Bowers was leading the AMA Arenacross points race with two rounds remaining, but a crash while practicing resulted in a broken leg, putting an end to Bowers’ championship hopes.

“I think it’s awesome to be riding for a shot at $1-million,” said Bowers. “The huge purse is great, but the racing element is just as good, because bragging rights hold a higher standard in my books.

“This is a no holds bar race. We want to be the first to win the Monster Energy Cup, regardless of the bonus. “

The hybrid supercross/motocross track that Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Carmichael are designing will level the playing field for riders that specialise in the technical aspect of supercross and the high-speed aspect of motocross.

“Both Ricky [Carmichael] and Jeremy [McGrath] are very knowledgeable when it comes to designing a challenging track for the riders,” explained Bowers.

“Both legends bring a lot to the table as far as awareness of what works and what doesn’t, so it’s going to be exciting to see the final product. The hybrid mix is really going to test a rider’s racing abilities.”

Bowers also looks forward to going head-to-head with the top AMA Supercross contenders.

“When it comes to a race like this where you have the world’s best riders on one track, understanding the competition is key,” added Bowers. “You have to know their moves and their general riding style in order to contend.

“I feel my experience riding in several supercross races is really going to pay off because it gives me an idea as to how the competition operates and what they’re capable of.”