Interview With Kieran Bennett

Tama · *by **Tama** on Fri 10/Mar/06 2:33pm*

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.

lubie · *by **lubie** on Fri 10/Mar/06 2:57pm*

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!

:thumbsup:

(p.s. say hi to your mum :blush:

)

SlackBoy · *by **SlackBoy** on Fri 10/Mar/06 3:03pm*

I remember him as broken Marin grom

DropKick · *by **DropKick** on Fri 10/Mar/06 3:06pm*

My hero

Percy Pig · *by **Percy Pig** on Fri 10/Mar/06 3:07pm*

Wootzor!

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

stpracer · *by **stpracer** on Fri 10/Mar/06 3:09pm*

mx aye...

far hes gotten fast though

bugle · *by **bugle** on Fri 10/Mar/06 4:01pm*

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

free_ryder · *by **free_ryder** on Fri 10/Mar/06 5:50pm*

yea, armstrong must be a wicked coach :thumbsup:

3 years must training pay off

SlackBoy · *by **SlackBoy** on Fri 10/Mar/06 6:02pm*

I heard that WF dresses in skirts

jimbo55 · *by **jimbo55** on Fri 10/Mar/06 7:06pm*

yea go Kieran :thumbsup:

Clarky · *by **Clarky** on Fri 10/Mar/06 7:14pm*

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. :cool: