MXP Chatter With Kaven Benoit

The 2015 season has been like a dream for Kaven Benoit. Each weekend he seems to do everything right on his KTM 250 two-stroke, and since round two in Nanaimo he’s been the rider to beat in the MX2 class. Although Benoit is currently well on his way to the 2015 MX2 title, many feel the way he rides his potent two-stroke is like a throw back of how riders rode decades ago. His speed, precision and ultra smooth throttle control lead many industry people to think that Benoit is the perfect, all around rider. With just two rounds to go in the 2015 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals, Benoit is trying to close out his MX2 career in perfect style. We caught up with the KTM rider moments after he won his 8th moto in a row at River Glade MX Park.

MXP: Hey Kaven, you had another great day here in Moncton. You had to do a little work, though, in Moto 1 to get into the lead but after that it was clear sailing.

KB: Yes, thank you. Today was pretty good for me and my team. In Moto 1, Shawn [Maffenbeier] and Cole [Martinez] were both riding very well and I had to adjust my lines to find a way around them. Once I got into to the lead I tried to sprint hard and pull away. They stayed fairly close but I ended up winning.

In Moto 2, I got out front right away and just tried to ride my own race and focus on my lap times. From there everything went great and I was able to win my 8th moto in a row.

Do you like this track?

I do like Moncton, it’s a nice track and after three weeks of battling in the sand, it’s nice to come to a hard packed track. I said on the podium today that if I had a choice I’d probably choose my 250F four-stroke because of the slippery conditions. However, I don’t have a choice this season and I think I did a great job on my 250SX two-stroke.

I know it isn’t easy to ride a two-stroke on this type of soil, or any type of soil for that matter, but you’re making almost every moto look relatively easy.

Well, again thanks. You know it’s not easy at this level, the riders are all fast and the tracks are tough. I know a lot of people think that I have a huge advantage with the two-stroke because of the horsepower but you have to know how to use the power, and you have to ride it a certain way to make it hook up and go fast. That is the hard part and that is why I quit listening to all the negative people.

Well, I’ve watched you race the two-stroke for 20 motos now going back to last year and I think you just ride a two-stroke really well. You’re right, it’s a hard bike to ride and it takes a lot of precision. I know the bike is a little faster than a 250F but I think you just know how to ride a two-stroke. You would’ve been a great racer back in the 1990s.

It’s funny you say that because I was talking to JSR today and he said the same thing. He thinks that some of the guys I’m racing against could do a little better job of picking lines and riding more efficiently, but everyone is going fast and everyone is trying to win out there. I didn’t think the track today suited the two-stroke but I was able to get it done and now I look forward to next weekend in Ulverton.

Yes, Ulverton, your hometown track! You must be looking forward to going there and possibly wrapping up this MX2 title?

With Ulverton being 30 minutes from my house it’s definitely my hometown track. I’ve been racing there since I was a little kid and I always enjoy going back. Hopefully I can continue my win streak and get this title over and done with, then I can have some fun.

Although you’ve had a few battles this season to get to this point, this year’s title chase isn’t nearly as drama-filled as last year’s. That was like a soap opera at times.

Yes, it was for sure. At times it was ugly and very unprofessional. I still don’t understand Vince Friese’s strategy last year, it’s not how I like to race, that’s for sure. However, I’d actually like to thank him for making me mentally stronger as a person and as an athlete. I don’t think anyone should have to put up with that stuff, but I did and I’m better off for it now.

So if you get the MX2 title wrapped up next weekend, are we going to see anything different at the final round in Walton?

If everything goes as planned then yes we’ll do something a little different at Walton. I’m not quite sure what we’ll do, but it will be something cool to help end off the season with style and give people something cool to talk about.

Thanks for doing this Kaven. Great riding again today and best of luck next weekend in Ulverton.

Thanks Chris, hopefully everything goes well and I can win in front of my fans.