2011 AMA Motocross
GEICO Honda rider Kevin Windham is ready to climb on his motorcycle for the final time this season at Saturday’s AMA Motocross Budds Creek National.
Meanwhile, team riders Eli Tomac, Justin Barcia, and Lance Vincent are just getting warmed up as the AMA Motocross Series hits the one-third mark.
Filling in for injured American Honda riders Josh Grant and Trey Canard, Windham was hoping to be in contention for the outdoor Motocross championship in the very competitive 450cc class but unfortunately his results aren’t exactly what he was expecting.
Kevin Windham (Honda CRF450F Motocross) says: “We’ve had a decent showing so far this season. We didn’t get the preparation we wanted leading in because this was a last-minute decision. Still, we’ve done okay. I wanted to do great and we haven’t been doing great so Budds Creek will be my last race for a while.”
The 33-year-old MX rider is the oldest competitor on the professional tour but Windham never hesitates to battle it out with the young guns to prove he’s still a top contender.
Kevin Windham says: “I’m happy to be riding towards the front each weekend but I’m settling into that fourth to sixth place area and that just isn’t going to cut it. Outdoors is just a whole different animal. I think it’s why I made the decision a long time ago to focus on Supercross for the longevity of my career.
“I want to continue riding for a few more years, so this is the last one for me this season. After that I plan on stepping back and enjoying my family and the summer. When the kids go back to school we’ll see if I come back for a few more but as of right now, Budds Creek is it.”
The last Motocross race of the season is bittersweet for the fan favorite as he heads into one of his favorite tracks.
Kevin Windham says: “I’m excited and a little sad. Hopefully I can head out there and finish my outdoor season on a high note.”
Tomac is coming off a third-place overall finish in 250cc Motocross action at the High Point National in Pennsylvania and wishes to build on that success in Maryland.
Eli Tomac (GEICO Honda CRF250R) says: “We did well last weekend and this weekend we should do even better,” he said. “I’m ready to ride the momentum we have built and just keep improving.”
Tomac is hoping his second outdoor season goes a lot like this year’s Supercross season.
Eli Tomac says: “I started off kind of slow in Supercross and built up to earning a bunch of podiums toward the middle and end of the season. I mean, yeah, I’d like to start off that way but if I keep doing what I’m doing hopefully I’ll sneak up on the guys in the points chase and be in it at the end.”
Reigning Supercross Lites champion Barcia has been battling a virus that’s limited his stamina on the bike. He is planning to rest as much as he can before this weekend’s race but knows he has to do some training if he wants to earn his first podium of the motocross season.
Justin Barcia (GEICO Honda CRF250R) says: “I’m going to rest up and do whatever the doctor tells me to get better this week. At the same time I want to do well out there so I’ve got to be on my bike too. Hopefully I can manage to do both and get myself ready for the race.”
The fourth round of the 2011 Lucas Oil Outdoor Motocross Nationals starts with practice at 8:30 a.m. EDT from Budds Creek Motocross Park. Opening ceremonies start at 12:30 p.m. with the gate dropping on the first moto at 1 p.m., which will be aired live on Fuel TV. SPEED will show the second motos starting at 10 p.m. EDT.