Josh Grant aims to stay healthy for the 2011 Monster Energy Supercross Championship

Edited copy courtesy of Denny Hartwig for Feld Motor Sports. JG photos courtesy of Shoei Helmets America's Facebook page.

Prior to the start of the opening race of the 2010 Monster Energy Supercross season, Grant was plagued with a season-ending injury affecting his right shoulder. Though he did make an attempt to race in the main event during the opening race of the championship at Angel Stadium, the pain he sustained was enough to remove him from the race as well as the remainder of the season.

"Sitting out last year was tough because I felt so ready to race,” said Grant. "My laps, fitness and speed were all there until I crashed.”

Fully recovered from his earlier injury, Grant showed no signs of fatigue during the 2010 AMA Motocross season. However, with three races left, Grant crashed during a practice session, severely injuring his left shoulder. This injury sent him back to the sidelines for the remainder of the summer.

"My main goals this year are to put in good finishes, stay healthy and be consistent the whole series,” said Grant. "Once I get to that point, I know I can do well. I feel with the backing of my new team it will be a fun year.”

For 2011, Grant will be joining Trey Canard at American Honda under the direction of Team Manager Erik Kehoe. This will be Grant's first time competing on a Honda CRF450; however, it will not be the first time he has raced for a Honda team. Throughout Grant's four-year run in the AMA Supercross Lites class, he battled on a Honda, registering a total of three wins and eight podium finishes.

"Being back on a Honda is going to help out tremendously,” mentioned Grant. "Since my amateur years, I have always ridden a Honda, so I'm excited to be back on one!”

Grant enters his third season in the premier AMA Supercross class and his seventh year as a pro rider. Since his AMA Supercross debut in 2005, Grant has three top-five overall finishes, and a career total of five wins and nine additional podium finishes. During Grant's rookie year in the premier AMA Supercross class, an opening race win opened the door to one of his strongest supercross class seasons, finishing fourth overall.

"I think it's going be tough with all the new guys out there, but it will make for some exciting races for sure,” exclaimed Grant. "So, I just need to be on top of my game every weekend.”

The 2011 Monster Energy Supercross season kicks off January 8 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.