5 Minutes with ... Kyle Keast

April 11, 2005

By Danny Brault (THE NEW GUY)

Photo by Jason T. Griffiths.

Unlike much of his competition, Machine Racing’s Kyle Keast hasn’t had the opportunities, or the financial backing to spend his winter training down south for the upcoming Canadian race season. However, despite lack of seat time, the Lindsay, ON native won both motos in GP Pro and finished first overall with 2-1 moto scores in the Youth class at the southwestern Ontario season opener at Gopher Dunes yesterday.

RXC: Kyle, brief us on what you’ve been up to over the winter months?

Kyle Keast: Basically working five-days a week and going to the gym four-nights a week. The first time I got out on the bike was at Gopher Dunes last Wednesday afternoon.

What were your expectations heading into the race at Gopher Dunes?

To win. I was nervous going into it though, but every spring I don’t think I have the speed or else think I lost speed. Once I was out on the track in practice I felt fine, and the nerves went away.

How did it feel to beat guys such as Joel Saarits, Joseph Rose and Kyle Snelgrove who spent considerable time riding and training in the states?

It felt good. Kyle [Snelgrove] surprised me when he holeshot the first moto. But I knew he would only go fast for three laps and he wouldn’t last the whole race. Overall I was happy with my riding.

Photo by Jason T. Griffiths.

You not only won both motos, but also gapped the field by at least 20 seconds. Why were you so strong this weekend?

Just from training over the winter. I have this thing where I just want to keep going faster. Throughout the races I kept checking where guys were behind, and then tried to move further forward. A friend of mine brought his video camera out as well. After watching it I could see where I was slow or sitting down in sections where I should’ve been standing. It actually helped quite a bit.

Did you feel tired, or suffer any arm pump at any times throughout the weekend?

In the first GP Pro moto my hands cramped up and got sore. But by the last moto I loosened up and felt like I was going faster. I never felt winded or suffered from arm pump all day.

And what about your starts, I think you actually pulled a holeshot this weekend.

Yeah I had decent starts in all my motos. I don’t know ... I usually back down going into the first corner but this weekend I just kept it on and had some confidence.

How is the new CRF450 working? 

Amazing. This weekend I’m going to do some testing on the suspension at Gopher. Also, I’m going to have Bondi do the engine at some point.

What’s your plan for the next few weeks before the first Ontario provincial at Gopher?

Like I said, this weekend we’re going to Gopher to test suspension and to put in some laps. I’ll being racing Auburn Hills the following weekend, and hopefully some more pros show up for that race.

Who would you like to thank for helping you out over the weekend?

John (Nelson), Machine Racing, Honda, No Fear, Spy, Fulle Twisted. And my family and girlfriend; they always come and it helps keep things fun and relaxed.

Thanks for the chat Kyle, and good luck at Auburn.

No problem, talk to you later.