Russell Ends Motocross Run
K
ailub Russell says he's end-
ing his run in Lucas Oil AMA
Pro Motocross. The eight-time
GNCC Champion, who recently
announced his retirement from
off-road racing, wanted to fulfill
his dream of racing motocross
at the highest level in this year's
outdoor Pro Motocross Champi-
onship. KTM gave the long-time
member of the orange team that
chance but an injury while train-
ing for the start of the series ul-
timately derailed that dream. He
missed the first few rounds but
has mostly struggled ever since
joining the championship three
races in. After another tough go
at Spring Creek, Russell says
he's stepping away from MX.
"This isn't being forced upon
me, it's my ultimate decision
here," Russell said. "I'm really
thankful for this opportunity but
I've had a tough year going—I
broke my jaw at the beginning
of the year, and I just don't have
it anymore. Mentally, I'm not
defeated, but I thought I could
come back and be that same
racer I was a few years ago, but
I'm just riding timid and scared.
I'm just struggling every week-
end and that's not what the fans
deserve to see of me or what
the team deserves to get out
of me. It's a tough go, but the
professional career has come to
a close."
Ian Harrison, Red Bull KTM
Factory Racing Team Manager,
said, "The entire Red Bull KTM
Team has the utmost respect for
Kailub and everything that he
has accomplished throughout
his successful off-road racing
career. It's unfortunate that he
had a bit of a rough start to the
motocross season, but it's been
a pleasure to be able to give
Kailub this opportunity to live out
his childhood dream and race at
the highest level of professional
motocross in the U.S."
CN
IN
THE
WIND
P52
GNCC champ Kailub
Russell says that his
short run in AMA Pro
Motocross is over.
PHOTO: ALIGN MEDIA
