MXP Chatter: Kyle Keast

Heading into Round 5 of the 2013 Monster Energy Motocross Nationals at Gopher Dunes, everyone knew that while Kyle Keast absolutely loves the track few people thought he’d be able to jump into the middle of the series and challenge for a podium position. However, this is Kyle Keast we’re talking about, the man the lives and breathes to be the underdog, the man that doesn’t mind doing things the hard way. What Keast accomplished on Sunday in front of his hometown fans was remarkable. We caught up with the Ontario legend moments after his podium celebration.

 Q: Hey Kyle, after that ride I figured I’d find you laying down in the shade but you don’t even look tired. How is that possible?

 A: I’m not sure. I don’t feel too bad actually. I know it was hot and the track was rough, but I was able to get some pretty good flow out there and I had some good lines so it wasn’t too bad.

 Q: You haven’t raced a National in over a year. Where did you think you’d fit in coming into today?

 A: Well, I came into this weekend with pretty high expectations and I really wanted to do well. Having said that, I am smart enough to know that these guys have been racing at this level for over a month and they are fast and really fit. I figured if I rode well then I could be in the top ten and maybe close to the top five. After the first moto though I thought maybe I should set my sights higher because my lap times were really good, especially since I had to come through the pack. I also felt great physically after the first moto so I knew my fitness was back to where it should be. To finish fifth in that first moto really gave me a big boost of confidence and I couldn’t wait to get out there for moto two.

 Q: The theme this season so far in the MX1 class is that the second motos have been really entertaining and today was no exception. Can you take us through that incredible last moto.

 A: As soon as the gate dropped I knew I had another bad start, I think I was well outside the top ten, but since I came through the pack in the first moto I wasn’t too worried. I made some passes pretty quickly and I think I was in third or fourth by the halfway point when I saw Metcalfe catching me. I figured he must have had some good lines because I felt like I was going fast but he was still catching me. Once he caught me I just starting thinking that everyone keeps saying what a good sand rider he is so I wanted to see where I’m at against someone like him. I just got a big shot of adrenaline and starting really pushing. If he was going to pass me then he was going to have to work for it.

 Unfortunately, when you’re pushing that hard on that track there’s such a fine line between success or crashing. I ended up getting a little squirrelly in those big whoops, went off the track and hit a big tractor tire and went over the bars. I got up and had to fix my front fender a little bit and then I just put my head down and kept charging. To get up and charge back up to second I really had to dig deep. At that point I didn’t care whether I passed out or puked, I just wanted to finish second.

 Q: It must have been hard to crash, get up and then have Bobby Kiniry on your tail for the final few laps. You knew Bobby wasn’t going to quit either.

 A: For sure, Bobby is a competitor and he never gives up. I just started thinking that all I need to do is ride my own race. I had some good lines so I just tried to stay focused. I knew it was going to be a fight to the finish though, but sometimes the tougher it is the sweeter it is.

 Q: Do you think that because you got bad starts in both motos you were able to find some really good lines that you might not have seen if you were up front off the start?

 A: Definitely. You know everyone always says that if I got the holeshot then I would win. While that might be true, I always seem to ride better when I come from behind because I build up a lot of momentum coming through the pack. I guess I like to be the underdog.

 Q: We didn’t see you at the Moto Park Cup a few weeks ago and the word was that you were in seclusion preparing for this race. Was that race at Sand Del Lee last month when Dylan Wright was able to run your speed a huge wake up call for you?

 A: Yes it was. The first time we went to Sand Del Lee in May, Jeremy Medaglia was there and he is always so fast there so it was good that time to see where I was at. Then when we went back there in June and I felt awful, it was at that point that I knew that I had a lot of work to do if I wanted to be ready for today. I spoke to John Nelson and we decided that I wouldn’t go to the Moto Park Cup and I would just prepare for the Eastern Nationals. So I went to Innisfil for two days and did four long motos and really just destroyed my body. Suffering like that really helped me get ready for today.

 Q: Most of these guys you were battling with today do this for a living. While I’m sure you’d love to do this sport for a living, you actually work full time.

 A: Yes I do and I have for a long time. It would be nice to do this full time but I have to work, that’s just a fact. That was part of the problem in the spring. I was working so much that I just wasn’t riding during the week. That is what has changed the last few weeks. I really started to make time to ride a lot. I think it paid off today.

 Q: I would say that it paid off. So is the plan is to do all of the eastern rounds?

 A: Yes, I’m looking forward to it. We have two more sand tracks, which I like. I’ve always liked Moncton, so all I have to do is find a way to do well in Walton. The next four rounds should be fun.

 Q: Well Kyle, congratulations on today. All of us Ontario riders, past and present, are very proud of you.

 A: Thanks Chris, I really appreciate it and thanks to everyone that was cheering for me today.