The fastest Kiwi in the Oceanias Downhill was none other than Kieran Bennett riding for Foes and Fox. Kieran has been around on Vorb since he was a wee ticker in 2002 and it's been great to see him achieve such a fantastic result.

So we got Walking Frame (Kieran's coach) to do a bit of an interview and see if we can unlock the secrets that turn a grom into a top racer.

WF: OK I guess we should start with the simple profile stuff?
KB: Er yeah ok
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2002 - Grom</td></tr></table>
Name: Kieran Bennett
Age: 18
Lives: Nelson, NZ
Fav food: Butter chicken, oh and BK when I’m in the North Island
Music: Iron Maiden
WF: Oh God you are an 80’s throw back!
Rider’s that rock: Sam Hill, Nathan Rennie
WF: So you’re into the Aussies?
KB: Well they’re really fast and my favourite riders, oh and Sabrina Joinier for the women.

WF: So final round of the 2006 Nats at Rotorua last weekend, how’d it go?
KB: Um, ahh good, I was kinda coming into it not sure how’d I go. Was pretty unsure of how’d I’d do, I just wanted to put together a good run. Yeah, it all worked out...

WF: And that was the Oceania round with the Aussies, Fabien and Sanchez, Oh I mean Cedric?
KB: Yeah, I was pretty stoked to be standing on the podium with them.

WF: How’d it feel riding with the top rider’s in the world?
KB: I didn’t really do any riding them just focused on my own runs.

WF: Which was your favourite course from this series?
KB: Definitely my home track in Nelson.

WF: Hell, fastest Kiwi in the pro-elite at the final that must have felt pretty good?
KB: Um, yeah, definitely I was hoping for a good race run to get enough points to get a higher placing in the series. I wasn’t quite expecting that higher place
WF: Awesome
KB: Pretty much

WF: I’m guessing a few people have helped you out this year?
KB: Sure have; Mark from the Bike Fix has been awesome, Foes Bikes, Fox Forks, Animal watches, Troy-Lee, Utopia optics, Maxxis, Mum and Dad
WF: err and...
KB: Oh yeah and this old guy, hahaha, You, for coaching me for the past few years.
WF: Haha, just as well, no intervals for you this week!
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2006 - Racer</td></tr></table>
WF: So is there time for anything else outside bikes?
KB: I don’t know what I do outside of bikes...
WF: Haha, I’m your coach and I know, come on...
KB: Well there is MX which I’ve started recently and cars, I don’t really have time for much else

WF: What’s next for 2006?
KB: Have a rest then do some training until I head overseas. I’d like to do some BMX racing before going to 2006 NORBA series...

WF: OOOhhh, do you have a ride for the NORBA season?
KB: Now that would be telling, and you know anyway...

WF: Choice KBizzle, you’ve had a wicked season. This is a bit cheesy with your coach interviewing you!
KB: Hahaha, yeah
WF: Good luck with the upcoming NORBA season and the Worlds.

what a cutey little grom!!

Congratulations Kieran!!
It's been a pleasure knowing you since your very first race in 2002 at the first of two Nelson races that year.
Good luck with your 2006 Champs efforts!


(p.s. say hi to your mum )

I remember him as broken Marin grom

My hero

Wootzor!

Well done Keiran, good luck over there in the NORBA's.

mx aye...

far hes gotten fast though

Massiv respect to the K Bizzle (and the Frame, old core training the next generation)

yea, armstrong must be a wicked coach

3 years must training pay off

I heard that WF dresses in skirts

yea go Kieran

Congratulations KB, it's refreshing to see a young guy set goals and achieve them, rather than spouting on about how hot he is and never doing anything.

You rock.

Yar good luck over in the States and when you get home for the worlds

Great stuff Kieran, all thebest for the future

SlackBoy wrote:I heard that WF dresses in skirts

it's no rumour! I have photographical evidence

lubie wrote:

SlackBoy wrote:I heard that WF dresses in skirts

it's no rumour! I have photographical evidence

Like either of you dont?