Borich named AMA ATV Athlete of the Year

The AMA Racing Championship Banquet, presented by KTM North America, rocked Las Vegas Friday night, Dec. 4. A sell-out crowd helped celebrate the evening as AMA national champions were honored for their excellence on the track throughout the 2009 season.

AMA Racing champions and their families, friends and fans joined the AMA at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas to celebrate the successful seasons of some of the country’s most-talented motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) racers.

“All AMA Racers are born and bred with exceptional levels of dedication, talent and guts — but only a few become champions,” says AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “At the Hard Rock this Friday night, many of our best were with us, and we turned the spotlight on them. Whether they are the very young or the not-so-very young, high-flying, bar-banging motocross racers or observed trials masters — those magicians with two wheels and a motor — they all got their due. It was our honor to recognize these incredible individuals for their successful seasons in 2009.”

The AMA Racing Championship Banquet, presented by KTM North America, kicked off a two-day celebration honoring motorcycling’s greats at Las Vegas’ Hard Rock. On Saturday night, Dec. 5, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame officially inducts its 2009 class.

Chris Borich earned 10 wins in 13 Can-Am GNCC Series races in 2009.

Among the honorees was Chris Borich, who was named AMA Racing ATV Athlete of the Year. Pennsylvania’s Borich had a remarkable season in the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) ATV series, winning 10 races in the 13-race series to give Suzuki its first GNCC title.

“The GNCC title has been a long time coming for me,” says Borich. “We put a lot of time and effort into the program, and this year, everything just clicked. We got everything working good and put in the time training and felt real comfortable on the bike. To win the GNCC title and the AMA’s ATV Athlete of the Year Award in the same year — well, I just can’t say enough.”

It remains to be seen what 2010 has in store for Borich. On Dec. 7 Suzuki announced its 2010 race team and Borich was not on it.

Related ReadingSuzuki reveals 2010 racing plansBorich Earns Eighth Straight GNCC WinBorich Clinches GNCC Championship