The last couple of years haven’t been easy ones for Davi Millsaps. Back in 2010, he earned his second Supercross victory as a 22-year-old up and comer who looked like he was on the fast-track to title contention. But Millsaps hasn’t been on top of the podium since. That is, until last Saturday night, when he took the season opener of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series in Anaheim, California, thanks in large part to a gutsy last-lap pass that put him ahead of Trey Canard.

But it’s been a long road back for Millsaps. For the past couple of seasons the 24-year-old Floridian has been trying to recover from a spate of injuries. Recovery has included two knee surgeries and a kidney removal. Add to that some sponsorship changes and you’ve got quite the emotional roller coaster.

Instead of battling for titles, he’s been grinding it out in the shadows of Monster Energy AMA Supercross powerhouses like Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey, Chad Reed, and James Stewart. But Millsaps is the first one to admit there are advantages to being under the radar. After his stunning Round One win, Davi told Shan Moore of Dirt Rider magazine:

“Coming in here, I wasn’t on anybody’s list to win. I was up there talking at the press conference, even though I was second in points last year. I wasn’t in anything. I was pushed aside, and I think that’s because everyone thinks me going to the team I’m on now (Rockstar Energy Suzuki), they think it’s a B team. I think our team is definitely an A team and is as good as any team out there, if not better.”