Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/941070
IN THE WIND P24 MILLSAPS CALLS IT A CAREER F ormer AMA 250SX East Supercross Champion Davi Millsaps announced his retire- ment from professional racing on February 7. Millsaps will celebrate his 30th birthday on February 15, 2018. Millsaps was planning to start a new season on his new Monster Energy/Knich/Yamaha Factory Racing Team when he suffered injuries while training last October. He was hoping to make his return a few rounds into the 2018 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series but decided to call it a career instead. Some of his career accom- plishments include being a two-time runner-up in the AMA Supercross Championship in the 450SX class (2012, 2013), five AMA Supercross main event wins in the 450SX class, 35 podium finishes in 450SX, winning the Monster Energy Cup in 2014 and winning the Canadian National MX Champion in 2016. "After 14 years as a profes- sional supercross and motocross racer, today, I announce my retirement from racing," Millsaps said. "Obviously, this was not an easy decision for me to make. Before the crash that I sustained back in October, I felt great while on the bike, and I was looking forward to an awesome 2018 season with my team, Monster Energy/Knich/Yamaha Factory Racing. Everything was falling perfectly into place: my training, my fitness and the bike. I had high expectations for the 2018 Supercross season. Then, the unexpected happened and life changed so fast. I was sent to the ICU with a major concussion, bleeding in and around my brain, and a shattered elbow, along with being bruised and banged up pretty much all over. After months of recovery and con- sulting with my neurologist and family, we came to the difficult decision that it was time for me to retire from racing. "I say this with great sadness, and this is definitely not how I wanted to end my career. But health is a priority. When the doctor told me that he couldn't release me due to the risk that another impact on my head could be life-altering, not to men- tion life-threatening, it was pretty tough news for me to swallow. The reality of retirement was very hard to face. It brings out a bag of so many mixed emotions. It saddens me greatly to have to go out like this. I have given so much of my life to this sport. I basically grew up on a track chasing my dream. "From the time I first rode a bike at the age of three till now, at almost age 30, I've had a blast. In return, this sport gave me an opportunity to be the best and work with the best. My racing career has brought me so many amazing opportunities, many great races competing against the sport's finest ath- letes, amazing fans, and many lifelong friends. My wife, Brittney, After 27 years of racing, Davi Millsaps says he's hanging up his boots.