Twelve years after his last race, and ten months after his 40th birthday, Billy Laninovich found himself racing against Father Time in his quest to become the oldest supercross rider ever. 

WORDS: AARON HANSEL
PHOTOS: ALIGN MEDIA

There was a time when Billy Laninovich was one of supercross’ brightest, up-and-coming stars. A standout prospect from Ramona, California, he turned pro in 2002 and started earning podiums that same year on his KTM 125 SX. He was then signed by Amsoil/Chaparral Honda (soon to be GEICO Honda) to ride their CRF250R in 2004, but he wrecked his knee in practice at the first race in Houston and missed the rest of the season. When the following season rolled around Laninovich was ready to kick his racing back into gear, and preferably, a higher one. Things looked promising too—Laninovich would get his first win as a professional by dominating the 125 main event in San Francisco and taking a pair of runner-up finishes before the end of the season.