After two weeks of action on the Kicker AMA Arenacross series, a handful of riders have emerged as the ones to watch as we head to Guthrie, Okla., for the next leg of what has already been an electrifying season.

Kyle Peters | @kypeleters

The man to beat. The defending pro champ has brought his momentum into 2021 with a sweep of both the 250 Pro and 450 Pro classes during the opening weekend in Starkville, Miss., followed by another in rounds 3 and 4 in Lubbock, Texas. 

The North Carolina runner raced the Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East Championship where he finished eighth. In seven Main Events, he finished outside of the top-10 only twice. 

Darian Sanayei | @dsanayei

A Washington native who is returning to competition after an injury sustained mid-season on the 2020 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship where he was a fill-in rider for Mitch Payton's Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawaski in the 250 class. Prior to that, Sanayei was racing the FIM World Motocross Championship (MXGP). Other career accomplishments include: 

• 2019 Australian Supercross Championship SX2: 18th place
• 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship MX2: 21st place 
• 2018 FIM Motocross World Championship MX2: 25th place 
• 3 career Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship 250 top-20's
• 3 career Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship 250SX East top-20's

Mike Alessi | @mike_alessi800

"Mr. Holeshot" coming out of retirement to race the Kicker AMA Arenacross series was some of the biggest news to come out of the off season. His last time on track with a professional circuit was in April 2019. Alessi is the most successful amateur motocross racer of all time, having raced since age three and going pro at 16 and 11 National Championships at Loretta Lynn's. Alessi is currently 3rd in the Pro series points race. He has continued his signature holeshot forte this season with Kicker AMA Arenacross.

“I am very excited to be joining Team Babbitts for the upcoming 2021 season,” Alessi said. “I feel the team is a very strong and successful team. I have watched them for many years. I feel the knowledge that they bring with my skill set will make for a great season. I am excited to try something different, and I’m looking forward to putting on a good show out there.” (Via Kicker AMA AX PR)

Gared Steinke | @stankdog726

Gared was on this list, but before we hit publish, he sustained a broken collarbone in Round 3. We wish him a speedy recovery. 

Gared took 3rd in the 2020 Pro overall points championship and a resume stacked with outdoor pro motocross, Supercross, Arenacross and even a 2017 Reb Bull Straight Rhythm Two-Stroke title.

ICYMI: 

Kyle Bitterman | @kylebitterman581

A rider so consistently at or near the front, Kyle Bitterman finished second in the 2020 Kicker AMA Arenacross overall Pro points championship in second. He has brought this consistency into 2021 and is poised to be a championship contender once again. 

You can relive Rounds 1 & 2 and Rounds 3 & 4 here. Be sure to check out the full video on demand archives of amateur and pro racing coverage right here on FloRacing.