Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Kellin flllindham We talk to uK-Dub" about his injury. his recovery. and his future plans STORY AND PHOTOS BY BRIAN COMEAU na move that surprised even Roger DeCoster, motocrosser Kevin Windham made his return to racing recently after more than half a year off due to a broken femur. Prior to the race at Mosier Valley USA, in Dallas, Texas, Windham had all but disappeared from the motocross world. We had the chance to talk to Windham about his setbacks and what comes next for him, both in his racing and his personal life. So where have you been Kevin? It has obviously been a long road back. I have been at home really - just getting things going and taking a lot of time to clear my head. The leg was, by far, the worst break I have ever had. I have had a second surgery on it now, and it is finally getting back to where I can ride without having pain. When I had the screws in, I couldn't start my bike, couldn't ride my bike, and being that frustrated with not being able to do it, I did not want to do it all. I didn't want to be by it, I didn't want to be around it. I just wanted to be in my own little world. Now that things are getting better, I'm starting to show my face and hoping that I can get back into the swing of things. How long have you been riding? I going next weekend to the Pro Challenge in Tyler. My desire is up, whether it's professional or amateur races, or whatever, and that is a good thing. What are your plans for the rest of this year? Q Right now, I am going to go ahead and wait the rest of this year out. I am not going to prepare for Supercross in 2003. My wife is expecting, so we are super-excited about that. The baby is due March 26, and I don't want to jump out on the Supercross season and miss the birth of any child, A Q Well, I rode Friday and today [Saturday], and there is a possibility of me racing tomorrow. How has that gone so far? It's all right. I mean, I am out of shape and I am riding my stock bike, which is fine, but it is not a works bike, which is what I am used to. I guess after being off seven months, you are not really used to anything. It has been a break that came whether I wanted it or not, and I tried to make the best of it and get away. Now that I have been away for seven months, my desire is to be here - I am 40 OCTOBER 9, 2002' c: U c: • • n __ • or definitely my first. I think the next time you will see me in a professional series, other than maybe a race here or there, will probably be the outdoor series in 2003. That is my goal, and that is what I am shooting to be prepared for. Are you going to be looking at the same program and sponsors when you do return? AII I can say is that all my sponsors have been really supportive through my break. It's tough to have a guy who does not do anything for seven months except for a couple autograph signings here and there. In this sport, in seven months, you can lose everything. You lose who you are, and everyone wants to see me back out racing. So I get some great information and support from the fans, but no one knows what I can do. No one knows what I am going to do, or can do. So, for me, it is not a time to really talk, it's a time to thank the sponsors that I have had. The ones that stick with me, great; the ones that don't, there's no hard feelings. I have not done my job at all, unfortunately, due to the break. So with that said, it is hard to negotiate for contracts, especially when you tell them, "Well, I am not going to be riding supercross next year." No one likes to hear that - that's the big one, that's the one that makes it. That is the one that everyone goes to, and that's a tough deal. As it turns out, Windham did decide to race the 250cc Expert class the following day, and elJeryone lined the fence to see exactly what he could do. After a strong start, he found himself behind 2002 Arenacross Champion Josh Demuth, a position he held before fading back to fourth. The second moto was beller for Windham, with him taking the lead early and leading the fteld through theftrst few laps before Demuth made a pass and checked out. Windham was still able to hold on to second, but not without a strong challenge from Rhode Island's Austin Squires. The 4-2 tally was good enough to secure second olJerall for Windham, and we caught Q A

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