Kailub Russell Steps Away From AMA Pro Motocross Championship
Press Release | July 20, 2021
Kailub Russell Steps Away From AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Kailub Russell says he’s ending 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 Championship. KTM gave the long-time member of the orange team that chance but an injury while training for the start of the series ultimately derailed that dream. He missed the first few rounds but has mostly struggled ever since joining the championship in the 250MX class 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 weekend 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