Like many of his competitors, Kevin Windham is a rider who always looks forward to an off-season. As more and more weekends get filled up with racing every year, the time to relax for a pro rider gets shorter and shorter. Even with an already long season, an injury in need of repair, and 2006 Supercross testing around the corner, the family man from Mississippi has accepted the honor of representing America at the upcoming Motocross Des Nations in France. Along with Ricky Carmichael and Mike Brown, Kevin will carry the nation’s honor as they travel across the Atlantic to bring home the gold. This team is the one to beat, and is America’s best chance to bring back the trophy. I caught up with Kevin as he was signing autographs to get his thoughts on going to France.

Kevin, let’s hear how you came to the decision to race the Motocross Des Nations.

Well, first off; it’s a tough race not to do. Unfortunately though, it is also a race that it tough to do. You know, this year I have a couple health issues; nothing real serious, but things I need to take care of as soon as I can. I have a hernia that I really need to get operated on before the start of next season. Right now we are halfway through the motocross season, and I already understand that Ricky has been doing some Supercross testing. Chad (Reed) won’t be doing anymore motocross, so he’s going to be getting an early start on Supercross testing too. We’re also getting more and more encouraged to do the World Supercross series rounds too; and the US Open is coming up. It just seems it’s more, more, and more racing, and not much of an off-season. Deep down, the Motocross Des Nations is something that I really want to do, and I’m very grateful to be selected – it just comes at a bad time of the year.

Have you received much feedback from the fans about you doing the Des Nations?

Everyone has been very, very supportive. You have some of the hard core Des Nations fans that are really pumped about it, and then some of the newer ones who don’t really remember how big it used to be. The AMA has just really stepped forward and tried to bring the race back to what it used to mean. So, yeah, everyone has been really happy with the chosen team, and I am looking forward to it!

What’s your schedule look like now, with you going to France?

I’m coming straight back from France and going to California for Supercross testing – where I’ll be all the way up until the US Open. That will give us a pretty good jump on testing, but not much of an off-season.

Will you race the US Open?

I’m not sure right now, I’ll decide later after we begin testing. But near the end of October I’ll have surgery to repair my hernia. It’s not very serious surgery, but I will be resting and recovering for two weeks.

How does being off for two weeks affect you?

Well, I think we already have a great bike, and great riders who will continue testing it. I’m confident with my personal testing schedule, and Honda’s testing schedule; so I just need to stick to my plan and have each day fall into place. To have the two weeks that I need to take off may actually be good for me. I’ll probably use that time for vacation and maybe sitting on a beach – get re-energized and refocused and come back very prepared for the 2006 season!