Kailub Russell calling it quits

Damn, understandable, I wish he got to do a mudder

I think that took some balls.

I wish he'll be ok, he really sounds depressed.

I wish him the best. I’m sure that was a very tough video to make.

I guess that call from Roger Decoster hit home. Dude was a stud for getting out there and giving it a go.

That takes alot to come out and say that much,alot of respect to him, alot of greats go out in a way of wondering what happened to them

Props for giving it a shot, and props for knowing when to say when.

He's an offroad legend, eighth-consecutive GNCC National Championship, no easy feat! Respect!!

They saying on pulpmx that ktm pulled the plug on him for not having the results and he frustrated from the call ktm gave him saying they going pull the plug on him if this week didn’t get better . The guy has sold a shit ton ktms would it kill them finish off the other 6 ?

Hell of an effort to try to cross disciplines like that. If they were running 2 hour motos he’d have probably been a contender!!!!!!

Props to him, but he never should have been on a 250, that Bike has not made anybody look good.

He’s being unbelievably harsh on himself. Like he said, it’s two entirely different disciplines. MMA and Boxing is “fighting” but completely different.

I know he is a champion, and he probably wanted a lot more from himself, but MX is a different animal.

Funny story. When I rode for KTM in 2000 I didn’t even get going before injury. I had two shoulder surgeries before joining the year at Southwick in the nationals. I SUCKED. No need to look it up. I was lying to myself, like Kalib said. The last race of the year that year Shane Watts joined the races. He was killing it in off road for KTM. He started racing the 125cc class at a couple races before I jumped in with KTM’s support. With all due respect to Shane and the entire community of off road racers, one of the smaller goals I had was to not let Shane beat me with his bark busters and water bag on his chest protector. That would have added so much more crappiness to my already crappy year.

I know Shane would have destroyed me in off road. But MX is just a different. We both were in the 30’s somewhere after crashing my brains out all day.

Crazy the things you remember all these years later.

So you mustn’t watch MXGP?

I gotta say that this one bothers the shit outta me.

Not a single person I know of saw Kalebs results and thought “man KTM is looking bad out there” or “wow KTM is a joke for letting Kaleb ride in 20th”…..I was actively rooting for Kaleb, even in 31st.
The guy has done an incredible job in moto and for KTM and EARNED the right to struggle.

Honestly, KTM needs to take out their frustrations on the millionaires their paying to fade back to 8-10, not the dude that won them multiple championships for a fraction of the price.

I genuinely hope Kaleb comes out on a Jap bike next outdoors and tosses a thumbs up to the managers tower on the way to a top 10.

Sucks he's a great rider!! I thought it was funny he said that when roger called him it rubbed him wrong

I’d be happier if he just went back & worked in his “MX skills” for a few weeks and then came back and tried again at the last 2 Cali rounds.

The dude is a bad-ass in that Kurt Caselli sort of way & ANYBODY that gave him any sort of shit for his effort should get a F’n clue.

Bummer man

Is Roger losing some of his luster? Seems like it at least here on vital.

man, thats gotta be a hard pill to swallow

Part of my KTM fandom the last few years was because of Kailub and I have to say that part of it just died. Poor handling of the situation by KTM. They should be embarrassed.

Respect to Kailub for throwing them the peace sign when he knew he wasn't welcome anymore.

I'd say he deserves some R&R for about a year.

Thanks, Roger.

Bummed for KR, I liked him being out there giving it a shot

KTM handled this whole ordeal really poorly. This should have been about Kailub getting the chance to do something he earned through years of hard work and great results in GNCC, not about KTM micro-managing his finishes in his only moto season. I said in the other thread, his bike shouldve been a billboard for his offroad titles, as it could have been an amazing opportunity to get him in front of moto fans and maybe gain some attention for the other series through some fun PR. But instead they hung a guy who has probably earned the brand 10s of thousands in bike sales and delivered numerous titles pretty much out to dry. Sorry KR, you deserved better man!

Him mentioning he has been riding timid and scared. I can't help but think the pre-season crash took the wind out of his sails. Congrats on an amazing career and raising the bar for future off-road racers.

Cool he at least tried pro mx. I had never heard of him before this year since I’m only into moto. I doubt Tomac would be top 15 at Moto GP for the same reasons. Completely different sports.

wish he had ridden the 450 class, 250 class is insane

Still faster than most. Total respect for his honesty, willingness to give it a go, and knowing when to call it.

You mean the series with works bikes?

Dude probably sold more KTMs than the entire existence of the TLD KTM 250 team, but it sound like he’s not really stoked on the idea of finishing out the season either.

Yamaha calling???? Beta?? Great off-road ambassador.

Sounds like there are a lot of off road peeps on this Moto Only forum. Maybe guyb can create a separate forum for you guys. Your sport has nothing in common with motocross as Kalieb proved.