Kailub Russell steps away from AMA Pro Motocross Championship
By Press Release on 21st Jul 21
Multi-time offroad champion, Kailub Russell, has announced his decision to step away from the AMA Pro Motocross Championship after four rounds of racing with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team.
Fulfilling a lifelong dream of racing motocross, the recently retired eight-time GNCC National Champion enlisted with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team in 2021 with plans to compete in the full 250MX series aboard the KTM 250 SX-F before suffering a broken jaw in a pre-season practice crash.
Delaying his debut until Round 3, Russell came out strong with a season-best moto-finish of 15th at the High Point National and from there he fought through a host of challenges that ultimately brought him to the tough decision to step away.
Kailub Russell
With his head held high, the highly decorated and very versatile offroad champion is closing the next chapter in his professional racing career with yet another impressive accomplishment of racing alongside the best in the sport of AMA Pro Motocross. KTM North America, Inc. would like to congratulate Kailub on an incredible all-around racing career and thank him for more than a decade of thrilling race moments.
"This isnt being forced upon me, its my ultimate decision here," Russell stressed. "Im really thankful for this opportunity but Ive had a tough year going I broke my jaw at the beginning of the year and I just dont have it anymore.
"Mentally, Im not defeated but I thought I could come back and be that same racer I was a few years ago, but Im just riding timid and scared.
Kailub Russell
"Im just struggling every weekend and thats not what the fans deserve to see of me or what the team deserves to get out of me. Its a tough go, but the professional career has come to a close."
Team Manager Ian Harrison, 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. Its unfortunate that he had a bit of a rough start to the motocross season but its 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."
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