Kailub Russell Extends KTM Contract

Kit Palmer | June 30, 2016

Kailub Russell won’t be going anywhere soon (if ever). The three-time GNCC champ signed a long-term contract with his current KTM team and will most likely finish out his racing career riding orange.

Kailub Russell, KTM In It For The Long Haul

The following release is from KTM:

MURRIETA, Calif. – KTM North America, Inc. is pleased to announce that multi-time GNCC Champion and reigning National Enduro Champion, Kailub Russell, has signed a four-year contract extension with the FMF KTM Factory Racing Team. Russell’s unprecedented contract extension includes an additional four years that will carry out through the duration of Russell’s racing career.

Russell, 26, began racing KTM motorcycles at a young age and has continued to ‘bleed orange’ for a vast majority of his racing career. Under the FMF KTM Factory Racing Team, Russell won two consecutive XC2 Pro Lites GNCC Championships in 2009 and ’10 before joining the premier XC1 Pro Class in ‘11. Russell won his first XC1 Pro GNCC Championship in ‘13, following it up with a second title in ’14. In 2015 Russell represented the USA World Trophy Team at the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Kosice, Slovakia where he sustained a torn ACL and other ligament damage while running as the top American. Just one month later, Russell went on to make history as the first rider to win a GNCC and National Enduro Championship in the same year before having surgery to repair his damaged knee.

“I’m happy to know that I’m going to be able to complete my career where it all began – with KTM,” Russell commented. “It’s the only brand I’ve ever ridden since they’ve made a model for each class so it’s only fitting for me to be loyal to the company that has provided me with the tools I need to continue to accomplish my goals.”

“It is one of my career highlights to be able to sign Kailub – who has been with KTM since day one – with a contract that secures him for the duration of his racing career,” said Team Manager Antti Kallonen. “It’s such a great feeling to see a rider that we signed from day one work so hard for many years to achieve his current success and to know that our relationship will continue throughout the rest of his racing career.”

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