Christian Craig is returning to Lucas Oil Pro Motocross. The 23-year-old will fill-in for the injured Justin Bogle as he recovers from a shoulder contusion sustained at Hangtown. This will be the second straight season Craig has raced for GEICO Honda. Last year the California native raced four 450MX rounds, with his best finish a tenth overall at Washougal.
"I'm really excited to have this opportunity," Craig said in a statement. "It sucks that Bogle is hurt, but it opens a door for me to ride with the best team in the sport for a second time. I'm really thankful to the three team owners and Mike LaRocco for thinking of me. I'm going to do everything in my power to pay them back with some top finishes.
"I've been working hard for a chance like this. I really want to go all-out one last time and make a go of it. I still have all the desire in the world, and I don't want to look back in 10 years and wish I had tried harder."
Craig is expected to make his return in the 250 Class, the first time in his career he's raced the class outdoors. He previously rode the 450 Class in 2009 and from 2011-14.
"I was riding a fairly stock 450 at home, so when I got out here and got on one of the GEICO Honda 250s, those things are so fast there's really no difference between the two," Craig said. "The GEICO 250 actually might be faster. Two laps around Perris (Raceway) and I felt totally comfortable on the bike.”
Craig will make his debut this weekend at the Thunder Valley National and will remain with the team until Bogle returns.
