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Free ride sensation Kyle Strait targets World Championships

06/04/2003

Kyle Strait of Redlands California, who just celebrated his 16th birthday yesterday, has set himself a target of representing the USA at the next three Junior MTB World Championships, starting this year in Lugano, Switzerland. The young rider, who first came to the attention of the mountain bike world when he won the Big Air Competition at the 2001 Sea Otter Classic before his 14th birthday, has decided to increase his schedule this year to include more downhill events, including World Cups.

This year Kyle will continue with his main sponsors Oakley, Red Bull and Maxxis Tires, and has just recently signed with Haro who will supply frames and complete bicycles for the season ahead. Fox Shox will supply all suspension needs, except for the DH fork, where Kyle will use RockShox Boxxers, and be further assisted by SRAM with drive chain components. Other suppliers for Kyle this year include Easton, Atomic, Hayes Brakes, SDG Seats, MRP, Profile Racing, SST, ODI, Bell Helmets, 661 Protective Gear and Eco Lip Balm.

"Iíd really like to win a Junior Downhill World Championship for the USA, which I donít think has happened for more than 10 years in the menís category. Iíve got three years in the category so I want to start this year working towards that goal. Iím still going to do all my free ride events this year, but I just want to expand on the racing scene in 2003 so I have a fuller program for both me and my sponsors", said Kyle on the eve of his departure for the Sea Otter Classic.

Kyle, who is one of the few riders in the world who successfully balances his free ride career with racing, plans to participate in 3 events at the 2003 Sea Otter Classic. Heíll participate in the Mountain Cross, Dual Slalom and, of course, the Big Air Competition.

Later this month heíll head to Spain where heíll spend time training with former World Cup Champion, Team Haro Lee Dungarees rider Greg Minnaar (RSA), and then participate in a Spanish Maxxis Cup in the Elite Category, as well as race in the Red Bull Downtown Race in Lisbon, Portugal.

The week after Lisbon, Kyle will be back in the US for round 1 of the NORBA series at Big Bear, California, as part of his plan to participate in all 5 rounds of the NORBA series in the Junior Expert Category with the ultimate aim of being selected for the World Championships. Kyle also plans to race all three UCI World Cups in North America, in Downhill and 4X, against the best elite downhill riders in the world.

"I'm really excited about expanding my downhill racing in 2003, but this won't mean a pull back in my free riding. Later in the year Iíll be competing again in the Red Bull Rampage as well as the Rye Air Field Skate Park Competition, and other smaller events. I feel I can continue to improve in both areas and in a way they compliment each other. Riding in Europe this year will be really cool as I'll finally get to meet many of the people who write me from over there."