At 18, Yorkton鈥檚 Kennedy Lutz hardly seems ready for retirement. Most people her age are entering the workforce for the first time. But in Lutz鈥檚 world of motocross, she鈥檚 a well-established veteran. She鈥檚 racked up countless victories and trophies in her career. She鈥檚 blazed a trail across Canada and the United States few people in her age bracket can hope to match.
She鈥檚 reached the summit in her sport, so she鈥檚 decided to walk away.
鈥淚鈥檝e accomplished everything I鈥檝e wanted to with racing,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 ready to move on.鈥�
Lutz is retiring from motocross competitions. Unlike Michael Jordan or Brett Favre, Lutz is serious about staying retired. She鈥檚 selling her bike and stepping away from the sport to focus on education and the next stage of her life.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think I鈥檓 going back,鈥� she said.
Lutz is leaving the sport after several recent career highs. She鈥檚 featured on the August cover of Motocross magazine. Lutz is the first woman to grace the cover of the magazine. It鈥檚 a major milestone.
鈥淚鈥檓 pretty excited and stoked to be on the cover,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 always humbling to have those kind of opportunities.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 unbelievable.鈥�
Before she made it onto the magazine, Lutz topped off her racing career with a massive victory. She won the 2018聽 Canadian Women鈥檚 West Motocross聽 Championship. Last year, Lutz won the East Championship. These back-to-back wins put a firm exclamation point on Lutz鈥檚 storied career.
鈥淚 had the biggest smile on my face,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 be more happy and proud of being on the podium.鈥�
Heading into nationals this year, Lutz knew it would probably be her last high-level competition.
鈥淚 had no pressure,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was just having the best time of my life.
鈥淥nce I was done, I knew it was time to hang up the boots.鈥�
Lutz has dedicated her life to motocross, sacrificing countless hours to training.
鈥淚t takes a toll on your body and the money in your pocket,鈥� she said.
Lutz plans to finish her high school education and focus on university life. She鈥檚 working at a part-time job. Now that her racing days are behind her, she wants to live a 鈥渘ormal teenage life.鈥�
Lutz has come a long way from driving her PW50 around her family鈥檚 farm as a kid. She鈥檚 worked her way to the top of her sport. She鈥檚 leaving it with mixed emotions.
鈥淥bviously I鈥檓 going to miss the racing,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut I鈥檓 happy and relieved that it鈥檚 over.鈥�
Lutz hasn鈥檛 completely divorced herself from the motocross world. She鈥檚 mentored a few up-and-coming racers, providing tips and tricks from a champion. She offers simple advice for anyone who steps into the racing world: Don鈥檛 give up.
鈥淭here are so many ups and downs,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 easy to...not believe in yourself.
鈥淭rust in the process and know that tomorrow鈥檚 a new day.鈥�
