MXP Chatter With Kaven Benoit

If you had to sit down and make a list of some of the top Canadian riders to throw their legs over a dirt bike, we’re pretty sure Quebec’s Kaven Benoit would make that list. After all, Benoit is a two-time Canadian MX2 National Champion, and just 24 months ago he had one of the best rides by a Canadian rider at the 2016 MXoN in Italy. That race in Italy capped off a very special 2016 season for Benoit and his KTM teammates as Cole Thompson won the MX2 title, Davi Millsaps dominated the MX1 Championship and Benoit won his first ever MX1 national on route to third overall in the series. However, after a very serious ankle injury in January of 2017 that basically caused him to miss the entire 2017 season, however, Benoit struggled to regain his former speed and confidence. Sadly, after a decent comeback summer this year, which saw him win two outdoor nationals, Benoit has decided to retire from professional racing. To find out what was behind this shocking decision, we reached out to Kaven to get this thoughts.

MXP: Hey Kaven, thanks for giving us some time on what is most likely the most emotional day of your career.

KB: No worries, it feels good to talk about it now. I have to admit there were a few tears shed over this decision, but I’m comfortable with it now.

MXP: I heard a few things recently about you possibly making this decision, but overall I think it’s been a pretty good secret.

KB: Yeah, other than with KTM and my family and close friends I haven’t really talked about it. I’m happy to hear you say that as I didn’t want a lot of people talking about it before I announced it officially today.

MXP: Was this something that you’ve been thinking about for some time, even before your most recent injury at the Montreal SX?

KB: Yes and no, I guess. Last year when I was off injured so much I started to think that the end of my career might be near and what might be next for me. However, I then got healthy and started to train for this season and I was focused on that.

MXP: I remember talking to you earlier this year and you were fit, happy and ready to go.

KB: I was happy and I worked very hard to get ready for this past summer. Everything was going along smoothly and then I had that crash in California just before the opening round in Calgary. That one not only hurt me physically, but it really damaged me mentally.

MXP: We all heard about that crash, but when you said that you’d still be ready for Calgary we didn’t talk about it anymore. How bad was that crash?

KB: It was really bad, actually, and it really scared me. I was out in California testing suspension and I went out to do one final moto. I came over a table-top that you jumped while turning in the air, and when I took off I saw someone was watering the downside of the table-top. I tried to straighten out so I wouldn’t land while turning and when I landed I swapped sideways into a bunch of breaking bumps. The bike just kicked me off, I landed on my back and ended up breaking a few of my vertebrae. It was a really hard crash, and when I was back at the truck, a Vet rider came over who was riding behind me and saw my crash. He couldn’t believe that I was up and walking around.

MXP: So even though you weren’t injured enough to miss any races, you were kind of like ‘here we go again.’

KB: Exactly, it just once again put doubt into my mind and made me not want to race anymore. I know every rider goes through times when they have a lot of back luck, it just happens. But I’ve been at this sport a long time and that crash just made me think that maybe it’s time to go and do something else. Even when I was winning races this summer I just didn’t feel like me, I just wasn’t happy.

MXP: We spoke a few times this summer, both when you were winning and when you weren’t, and honestly you did seem really frustrated after a bad day; you were more frustrated than normal.

KB: I remember talking to you after Gopher Dunes and you were telling me to cheer up and that my day wasn’t that bad. That is what I’m talking about, I just wasn’t happy. Then the final nail was obviously the Montreal SX, I didn’t even have a bad crash and yet I had to go to have another surgery to get fixed.

MXP: I honestly feel bad for you Kaven and I know I’m not alone in that feeling. After such a great 2016 season, to be injured and not be able to get back to where you were exactly two years ago when you set the world on fire in Italy must have been frustrating. However, like you said, you’ve been at this sport a long time and you’ve had a great career.

KB: I’m so content right now with the career that I’ve been able to have. I’ve accomplished more than I ever thought I would. It definitely would’ve been nice to win a 450 title, but hey, I’ll take my two 250 titles and keep a big smile on my face.

MXP: So other than reflecting on your incredible racing career, do you have any plans for next month or next year, or even beyond?

KB: I’m not really going to make any decisions until the spring. Right now I’m just going to do normal things and have a normal winter. Through all of this, JSR and KTM have been great and we’ve talked about doing some motocross schools next year and maybe doing a riding tour. For the past few years I’ve had a number of promoters in Quebec who want me to come to their events. So maybe next year I can make it out to those and have some fun. Other than that, I really don’t know. I have a lot of interests so I’m not too worried about the future.

MXP: Well, that sounds great Kaven. I also think it’s special that your final pro national moto win was in Quebec and in front of your hometown fans.

KB: Yes, that win was very special, as was the win back in 2016. I always loved racing in Quebec and in front of my fans.

MXP: You’ve been so much fun to watch on the track Kaven, but you’ve also been a class act off of the track as well. Thanks for talking to us and good luck in whatever the future brings you and your family.

KB: Thanks Chris! It was definitely one hell of a ride and I feel very good about the career I had. I really want to say thank-you to all of my fans and to all of my sponsors who have stuck by me all of these years.