James Stewart is withdrawing from this weekend's events at the U.S. Open, citing a lack of preparation. He met with the press after the second practice, to let everyone know the reason he was withdrawing. “I just want to let you guys know that I won’t be racing tonight. Over the last few weeks we haven’t had a chance to ride because this was last-minute decision.”

“Last week I decided I wasn’t going to come out here because I felt like I wasn’t ready to race, just mentally. My knee’s fine. I just want to get that clear. There’s not problem with my health or anything like that. I just haven’t had a chance to prepare for this race. The last thing I want to do is go out there and get hurt, and let my team down and let my fans down.”

“I just felt like I’m not ready to race, point-blank. There’s nothing else to it. I went out and rode the first practice and I was just really uncomfortable. All over the place, and I didn’t feel like myself. Event the second practice I was still the fastest time, but I didn’t feel good. I felt like I shouldn’t be here. We’re just getting back to healthy, with the knee. The last thing I want to do is upset that and make my process go back.”

“We decided as a team and myself that it would be the best decision not to race.”

In ’05 when I came here (and withdrew because of stomach problems), I was ready to race. The difference is now, I’m coming off an injury and obviously you want to race.”

“I think for our sport to grow, you need top guys at the races, especially being on CBS. You’ve got to have top guys to bring people in. That was one of the main reasons I wanted to come. But once I got here I realized I wasn’t prepared to race.”

Obviously being where I am now, racing the guys I’ve got to race, you’ve got to be 100 percent. I’m sure the guys I’m racing are ready to race. They’re not coming here just pansying around. That’s what I felt like. To put myself in the position, when I shouldn’t be here, shouldn’t be racing because of my physical condition, that’s unfair.  It’s unfair for me, unfair for my team and unfair for my fans.  Especially if I go there on lap 10 and get tired and do something I shouldn’t do. That’s a big no-no.”

“After Unadilla, I haven’t had a chance to ride. The last time I put in a full week in of training, that was back in June. That was before Red Bud. It’s been a long time since I’ve been training every day. It’s a little too early to force it, when we’ve still got two-and-a-half months before we’ve got to race.”

Where will James’ next race be? “I think for me, Anaheim. That was the goal Even when I got hurt, the goal was to be ready for Anaheim. That’s what my goals are, that’s why I’m not ready now, because this wasn’t a goal. The goal was to be ready for Anaheim. I’m glad we don’t have to do the Canada races, because it gives me a little. The thing is, when I race, I want to be ready to race.”