In the fast-paced, high-risk world of motocross, careers can be made or broken in a matter of seasons. For Derek Drake, a rider once tipped as one of the brightest young prospects in American motocross, the journey has been a rollercoaster of promise, setbacks, and perseverance. Now, at just 26 years old, Drake has announced that he will be putting his professional motocross career on hold, citing ongoing health challenges and the toll that competing at the highest level has taken on him.
Drake first burst onto the scene in 2018, when he was named Amateur of the Year and won the prestigious Nicky Hayden AMA Motocross Horizon Award. That recognition cemented him as a rider to watch, and he turned professional the following year with the Troy Lee Designs KTM team. At the time, expectations were sky-high. However, despite flashes of speed, consistent top results proved elusive. His best finish in the West Coast Supercross Championship was seventh place, and by the end of 2020, he had lost his factory ride.
Still, the motocross paddock has always been a place where second chances exist, and in 2021 the BarX team then aligned with Suzuki gave Drake another shot. Unfortunately, misfortune seemed to follow him. A femur fracture derailed his momentum, and shortly after, he underwent heart surgery to treat a rare cardiac condition. By 2022, he managed to fight back to form, finishing tenth in the East Coast Supercross series and later competing in the World Supercross Championship with MDK Motorsports. Yet, the ambitions he carried from his amateur days already felt like they were slipping further away.
Things went from difficult to worse in 2023, when a fractured humerus head ruined his early-season campaign. Determined to reset, Drake made the bold decision to step up from the 250 class to the more physically demanding 450 division. But even in the premier class, his progress was stalled. In 2024, he suffered a back injury before doctors uncovered a deeper issue: he had been unknowingly battling Lyme disease for several years. The condition, known for causing fatigue, muscle pain, and other debilitating symptoms, explained why he had struggled to sustain the intensity needed to compete with the sport’s elite.
Drake took time off to focus on treatment and recovery, but when he returned to racing, results continued to lag. Despite earning a spot in the SMX Last Chance Qualifiers, he missed out at Charlotte and St. Louis before finally making it into the motos in Las Vegas, where he finished 20th. It was a small victory in a season otherwise defined by challenges.
At the close of the 2025 season, Drake made the difficult decision to step away. In an emotional statement shared on his social media, he admitted that racing while battling Lyme disease had prevented him from performing at his best. “I’ve decided to put this chapter of my life on hold for now,” Drake said. “Battling Lyme disease while racing at the highest level hasn’t allowed me to reach my goals over the past few years. So I have to stop and take a different approach with riding and racing. It’s only worth it for me if I can deliver results week in and week out. My plan is to continue fighting this disease, to ride, test, help some young riders, and participate in a few small races for fun along the way.”
While his announcement carries the weight of retirement, Drake hasn’t completely closed the door on competition. Instead, he seems to be shifting into a new phase of life one that blends his passion for riding with a focus on health and supporting the next generation of racers.
Motocross fans will remember Drake not only for his potential, but also for his resilience. Few riders have faced such a relentless series of physical setbacks and continued to line up with determination. Whether this is the end of his professional career or just a long pause, Derek Drake’s story serves as both a cautionary tale about the fragility of athletic careers and an inspiring reminder of perseverance in the face of adversity.