December 20, 2012 – Monster Energy/Arctic Cat’s Tucker Hibbert, the reigning FIM Snowcross World Champion, will respectfully bow out of defending his title due to a scheduling conflict. In 2013, the World Championship will expand from a one-day championship to a three-event championship held in Finland and Russia. The second of three rounds conflicts with an ISOC National Snocross event. In September, Hibbert committed to compete in the full ISOC series where he currently sits second in the Pro Open Points Championship.

Hibbert first competed in the World Championship in 2010. That year, in northern Sweden, he became the first American to be crowned champion in the history of the event. It was his first competition outside of North America. For 2011, the championship moved to Finland. He was the heavy favorite to win but after suffering a mechanical issue in the second of three races, he finished third overall. Last year, the event was held in Russia for the first time. He went 2-1-1 in a three-race format to win his second world title.

Hibbert will now turn his focus to winning his sixth consecutive ESPN Winter X Games gold medal and seventh National Pro Snocross Championship. To stay up-to-date with his racing, visit www.tucker-hibbert.com.

Tucker Hibbert – #1 Monster Energy/Arctic Cat
“It’s hard to explain how disappointed I am. The World Championship is a really special event for my team and myself. Being an FIM World Champion is an incredible honor and it’s discouraging that I won’t have the opportunity to defend my title this year. Over the past three years, it’s turned into one of my favorite events of the season. I really enjoy the race format, the rough tracks and opportunity to compete against athletes from across the world.

I’m hopeful that in 2014, the World Championship will be scheduled in a way that all the world’s top snocross athletes can compete. Snocross is truly a worldwide sport and the top racers from all countries should have the chance to compete for the world title.

Right now, all my focus is on Winter X Games and the ISOC points championship.”

Hibbert’s Remaining 12/13 Snocross Events

January 4-5, 2013: Shakopee, MN – ISOC Rounds 5 & 6

January 24-27, 2013: Aspen, CO – ESPN Winter X Games

February 1-2, 2013: Deadwood, SD – ISOC Rounds 7 & 8

February 8-9, 2013: Traverse City, MI – ISOC Rounds 9 & 10

February 22-23, 2013: Salamanca, NY – ISOC Rounds 11 & 12

March 8-9, 2013: Fargo, ND – ISOC Rounds 13 & 14

March 15-17, 2013: Lake Geneva, WI – ISOC Rounds 15 & 16

Resources: tucker-hibbert.com • monsterenergy.com • arcticcat.com • snocross.lab.b2tech.us