Catching Up With…Kyle Cunningham

elmo

• July 24 2008
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By Kyle Cowling

Former Yamaha of Troy pilot, Kyle Cunningham has been turning some heads in the recent weeks thanks to commendable rides. Cunningham produced his best-ever outdoor finish at Budd’s Creek where he finished 5th place overall, and Kyle continues to put forth valiant efforts each weekend. Unfortunately, KC has become a bit of a privateer as his team only competed in the first five races of the season. Now, the Honda pilot finds himself on a less than factory bike and trekking across the country in a pickup truck with his dad. We caught up with Cunningham before the first moto at Unadilla to chat about his season thus far and his expectations for the future.

You’ve stepped up your riding quite a bit in these past few weeks. How was the first half of your outdoor season?

It started off pretty well. I had some decent starts, and I managed work my way into eighth place overall in the point’s battle. I crashed at Freestone, and I was unable to score any points. The next two rounds I had some trouble in the opening motos, and I wasn’t able to score points. I ended up throwing away some points that I believe I should have earned, but I managed to stay strong throughout the last couple of weekends and gain a few points. Hopefully I can work my way back into the top 10.

Tell us a little bit about Budd’s Creek…

That was my best Outdoor National! I went 7-5 for 5th place overall. During the first few laps of each moto, I managed to put myself in 10th place and rode my own race and kept on pushing. Eventually, I ended up scoring 5th overall.

How is the bike?

A few of the rounds I ride with my team, and the rounds I ride on my own I’m on a kind of race bike. It has been good, however. I’ve had some up and down moments, but I’m trying my best to hang in there and grab as many points as possible. I only have five rounds left, so hopefully I can get myself on the podium before these last few races come to an end.

Do you feel that finishing on the podium is something in which you can accomplish?

Oh, for sure! The way the points were at Budd’s Creek, all I needed to do was pass one or two more guys to finish atop the podium. Unfortunately, I fell a little shy of that goal. Either way, Budd’s Creek was my best outdoor finish and I was happy with that.

Last year you were riding for Yamaha of Troy and this year you’re with the DNA Energy Drinks team. Are there any big differences between the two bikes?

Not too much. My bikes this year has been pretty good. Like I said, we’re just plugging away. It doesn’t really matter because we’re doing what we can with what we have, you know? We’re hanging in there on that end of things, and I’m trying my best to keep producing good results.

Do you know what your plans are for 2009?

My agent has been talking to a few people, so we’re going to see what happens.

Seeing as how last year was your rookie season and you were riding for Yamaha of Troy, was there a lot of pressure on you to perform at a certain level?

It wasn’t all that bad. I wasn’t able to do what I felt I was capable of doing. I had a couple of injuries, which set me back. I ended up finishing inside the top 10 in Supercross, and I had a few top 10 finishes during the outdoor season. Although, it wasn’t what I thought it could’ve been, you know? Those are the things we learn from, and I’ve had a few bad races and a few good races as well. I feel like I am showing people that I can run up front, and I need to continue to get good starts. Having a good start is the most important thing out here. If I can do that, I believe I can run up front.

What’s been the biggest thing you’ve from last year into this year?

Definitely fitness. I’ve been doing a lot of weight training and road biking this season. I started doing weight training before the start of the season, which was a big help; Kyle Lewis was training me. The fitness level in which these guys are at is a lot different compared to the amateur kids. I think a lot of the amateur kids lack proper fitness when they move up to the pro ranks. They think they’re training, but it’s a lot different when you are lining up with 40 riders that are just as fast as you are.

Are you more of an outdoor rider, Supercross rider, or do you enjoy both of them?

I enjoy both of them, really. Supercross is tough if you don’t get a start, but it’s a lot of fun. I think the outdoors is a little more challenging because you are dealing with the heat and the braking bumps, so it makes things tough. It also shows everybody who is training and hard and who stands out. The Outdoor Nationals are good for our sport because it gives us something a little bit different, it’s longer, good for the fans, and there is always good racing.

Theses days we are seeing a lot of guys opt for a Supercross-only contract. However, you don’t sound like you have plans to jump on the bandwagon anytime soon.

Nah. I don’t see myself doing something like that anytime in the near future. Unfortunately, you never know what can happen. I mean it could end up being that everybody has Supercross-only contracts and they end up adding more rounds to the SX season. Everybody thinks that Supercross is the “big show,” but I really enjoy the outdoors. Besides, a lot of the training we do is mainly for outdoor riding. I think it’s good for our sport to have a longer season and offer something different for the fans.

You’re pitted out of a tent this weekend, next to the Wonder Warthog racing semi. What’s going on with that?

When I signed with my team, they were only doing five outdoors. I decided after the first few rounds that I was going to do the rest of the season on my own. I did the first five races with my team, but my dad and me have been driving to the rest of the races in a truck. The guys at Warthog have set up a tent for me on the other side of their trailer for me. I am glad that they are helping us out with that, you know? I like to be here racing on the weekends regardless… I am just out here to get results, and I’m happy to be out here racing with these guys.