Five Minutes with … Kyle Beaton
MAY 22, 2008

Clearbrook Yamaha's Kyle Beaton is anxious to get things rolling in Ste-Julie

photo: James Lissimore

By Steve Matthes

We’re going to bring you some interviews this week with some of the riders that are favoured to do well this summer in the Monster Energy Canadian Nationals. So when Kyle “KD Beets” Beaton’s name came up as one of said riders, I jumped all over it. As many of you know, I like Kyle and have been fortunate to be able to offer his program some help in his efforts to be the MX2 king. I rang KD Beets up yesterday to get his thoughts on the 2008 season.

RXC: So Kyle, simple question: are you ready?
Kyle Beaton: Yeah, for sure, more than ready actually! I’m ready to kill it! My speed is good—better than last year I think—and my consistency will be there, but more than anything, I think my strength is way better than ever before. My strength is when I’m on the bike; I’ve always had the speed but maybe sometimes I wasn’t able to hold on when things got squirrelly, but that’s better now. I’ve never been able to put it all together before but I think it’ll be different this year. I can’t thank my trainer, Drew, from Evolved MX enough; he’s had me working hard and he’s very motivating. I’m on a good program for sure.

How’s the rest of your program lined up? Mike, the mechanic, all good?
He’s great and an awesome guy to have around. My bike is great! Total Performance in California has it running great and Tim at Enzo Canada has my suspension working good as usual. I have a lot of the same sponsors and people helping me out as last year so it’s nice to know that everything’s the same and familiar to me. And, of course, your Merge Racing products are helping me dial in my bike as well. [Laughs]

A little bit of a change for you is that you’re going to be flying back and forth from BC for some rounds right?
Yep, I’m going to fly home as much as I possibly can. It’ll be nice to come back home to surroundings that are familiar to me. Being out on the road as much as I was last year was tough, trying to find practice tracks, gyms and someplace to stay can be complicated. This way it’ll be one less thing for me to worry about.

Have you ever ridden St Julie?
Yep, two years ago I did but I’ve never ridden Gopher Dunes before and am looking forward to it. Everybody tells me how hard it is but I’m ready. Like I said, I’m stronger than before and I have some really gnarly sand tracks that I practice on at home. I’ll definitely be prepared for that track. My goal for Ste-Julie is to come away with a top three and be healthy. If I do that, I’ll be happy. Everybody will be up there going wide open and trying to kill it at the first one. My strategy will be to hang back and watch some dudes cartwheel. [Laughs] I used to be the guy who would be cartwheeling.

How are you handling being one of the favorites this year for the MX2 title?
Well, thanks I guess! Last year I was in California and didn’t race much, just turned a ton of practice laps and then showed up at the first round. This year I concentrated on racing some more because nothing can simulate that feeling of being in the mix. I did arenacrosses and some supercrosses in the USA and overseas. I’ve been working harder in the gym and I just feel better on the bike, really. I’m confident and everything’s been coming together really well. I guess it’s a bit of a change in programs and we’ll see how it works out.

Who do you want to thank?
Everybody at Clearbrook Yamaha, Shift gear, 661 and Gaerne boots, Evolved MX, Oakley, Pro Circuit, Ogio, DC Shoes, Kevin Wiebe, Merge Racing, MX Forum and everybody that’s stood by me.