Two years ago, Kaven Benoit was approached by his good friend and KTM Canada Race Team Manager Matt Deroy about the possibility of him coming out of retirement to compete in the Triple Crown Series. Benoit gave it a lot of thought and then decided that he had some unfinished goals, and a lot left in the tank. Fast forward to two weeks ago, and Benoit accomplished what no 35-year-old has ever done, winning a Triple Crown Series Championship. All summer long, Benoit battled USA teenage sensation Drew Adams, and in the end, he won the 250 Pro/AM class title by just two points. It was one of the closest finishes we’ve ever witnessed, as well as a final motto that we won’t soon forget. We caught up with Kaven as he was still digesting the season and celebrating the news that he just got named to Team Canada for the 2024 MXON in early October in the UK.
MXP: Hey Kaven! How are things going today?
KB: Everything is going well. We had a muddy local race on the weekend, so yesterday was all about cleaning things up. Today, I’m driving home with my kids and taking some much-needed time with them.
Sounds like a great day. It’s been over a week since the final round at Walton Raceway. Has it fully sunken in yet that you’re the 2024 250 Pro/AM class Triple Crown Series Champion?
Now it has, for sure, but it took most of last week to fully recover. When I returned home from Walton, I was really in shut-down mode. I had no energy, and I didn’t really want to do anything. I think it was because of the way the series ended. It was just so draining, and I put so much effort into it. It felt like the air just went out of me when it was all over.
It’s one thing to be physically tired after a weekend of racing; I’m sure you feel that all of the time. However, adding in being completely exhausted mentally is a whole other deal, and it sounds like that was what you were feeling. Also, let’s not forget how intense those final few laps were in Moto 2 at Walton Raceway. That was crazy! In fact, both 250 motos were exciting, and everyone there got their money’s worth. Let’s start with Moto One, which was one of your best races of 2024.
Leading up to the final round, the people around me went through the different situations that could happen. If Drew won, I had to go 2-2 to win the title. It was helpful for a little bit, and then I was just told everyone to stop. I didn’t want to have too much information in my head before the races even started. Motocross is so reactionary that I just wanted a clear head to deal with whatever situation came up in each moto. As it turned out, I needed a really clear head in order to deal with everything.
Yes, because in Moto One, you didn’t get off to a very good start.
No, I didn’t, but I saw Drew [Adams] back there with me, so I didn’t really panic too much. Unfortunately, with him being young, aggressive, and with nothing to lose, he took more chances than I did in those early laps and moved up much quicker. Over the years, Walton Raceway hasn’t always been a track that I’ve felt comfortable on, so I wanted to avoid making a big mistake in those early laps. So, I just looked for some good lines, and when I got my flow, I began to pass riders until I was up to second place. At that point, Adams was long gone, so there wasn’t much I could do.
In Moto 2, you got off to a much better start and led the field from turn two on.
Yes, I really felt good heading into the second moto as moto one proved to me that I could come from behind if I needed to. But I put myself in a great position on the opening lap, and then I tried to go as fast as I could. I glanced back once and saw that it was Janik behind me, so that made me feel better. Even when Drew caught me with a few laps to go, I still thought it was Janik. But then they sounded more aggressive, so I looked back and saw that it was Drew. At that point, I didn’t know what he was going to do; I made a few little mistakes, and he was able to get by me with two laps to go.
That is when the real fun began. Once Adams got by you, did you know that Janik had gone down, and you had a decent gap back to third?
In all the possible scenarios we spoke about leading into Walton, what happened in those final two laps was not one of them (laughs). I thought Drew would just ride away and take the win, hoping that something would happen to me. But when he started to slow down in corners and cut across ruts, trying to hit my front wheel, I wasn’t sure what to do at that point. At one point, he was going so slow I thought about passing him back and then trying to sprint for a lap and win. Looking back now, I probably should have done that, as I think I could’ve surprised him. Anyway, it was stressful, and I’m glad it only lasted a lap.
Well, I’m glad it worked out for you. That would’ve been a tough way to lose the title and also a tough way for Adams to win it. You two had some great battles all summer long, and the series didn’t need to end like that. I feel like Adams was feeling what you were in that he didn’t know what to do once he passed you.
I agree, once he passed me he didn’t have too many options. During rider’s meeting the referee spoke about team tactics and how they wouldn’t be tolerated. It was obvious that Kawasaki brought up some extra riders to try and help Adams, so I’m not sure what would’ve happened if things had gone the other way. Anyway, it’s all done now, and it all worked out.
All stress aside, from a fan perspective, this was one of the most exciting championship battles we’ve ever witnessed. All summer long, you two were incredible, so congratulations on getting the job done!
Yeah, thank you!
So, you returned home from Walton Raceway, spent a few days recovering, and then on Friday, you were officially named to Team Canada for the 2024 MXON! It’s definitely a good time to be Kaven Benoit (laughs)
I’m very excited to be heading back to this event as a member of Team Canada. We did well back in 2016 in Italy, so hopefully we can find some more success this year. It’s a big honour to be named to the team, and I’m going to do everything I can to be ready.
We know it’s a team event going in, but once the races start, it’s really every rider for themselves. You also had one of the best races of your career in Italy in 2016 on one of the most iconic tracks. The next year, though, injuries took over, eventually leading to your retirement from racing. What does it mean to you that at 35 years old, with everything you’ve been through, you now get another chance to represent your Country?
It means so much, as I thought the dream was over a few years ago. I’ve worked hard to get back, and now I have at least one more chance to be part of Team Canada. Also, it means a lot that we’re headed to the UK with such a good team. Jess and I had a great summer of racing, and Dylan is getting back up to speed, as we saw at Walton last week. We’re in a good spot, and it’s going to be fun.
Yes, the team is looking great. We’re still over a month away from the race. What is the plan for trying to remain in race shape through September?
Well, I have a few local Quebec races coming up. Also, I’m going to race an off-road event in September. Jess, Dylan, and I have also spoken about getting together and doing some riding. We all live pretty close so it won’t be hard to meet up and prepare together. I don’t think there will be an issue with staying in shape and being ready to go in early October.
It would be great to see the three of you all training and riding together through September. I mean, what better way to prepare for this event than as a team? I know you and Jess, being teammates, obviously spend a lot of time together, but I don’t think there have been too many times in the past when Jess and Dylan have met up to go riding.
For sure, I think they realize the importance of this event and what it means to Canada. Last year didn’t go well, and I think they want to make up for that. We have a great team, and sometimes you have to put some things aside and focus on what you have to do to be successful.
Well said, Kaven! Obviously, it’s too early to think about next year. However, I have to ask you if 2025 has come into your thought process at all?
Honestly, not really, as I never start thinking about the following year until my season is over. I still have over a month remaining in this season, so there is still a lot of time to think about 2025. As of now, I’ve had no discussions with KTM about next year, and I don’t see there being any until October.
Fair enough! I remember when we spoke at GPF back in March; you told me that you learned a lot last year and were going to apply those lessons to 2024. Obviously, you did just that so congratulations on a great summer; it was certainly one that people will remember for a long time.
Thank you! Yes, it definitely worked out the way we wanted it to.
